College Football Playoff Rankings Entering Conference Championships
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released another edition of its rankings Tuesday night. These are the final rankings before we find out who makes the field on Sunday.
Georgia (12-0)
Michigan (11-1)
Alabama (11-1)
Cincinnati (12-0)
Oklahoma State (11-1)
Notre Dame (11-1)
Ohio State (10-2)
Ole Miss (10-2)
Baylor (10-2)
Oregon (10-2)
Michigan State (10-2)
BYU (10-2)
Iowa (10-2)
Oklahoma (10-2)
Pittsburgh (10-2)
Wake Forest (10-2)
Utah (9-3)
North Carolina State (9-3)
San Diego State (11-1)
Clemson (9-3)
Houston (11-1)
Arkansas (8-4)
Kentucky (9-3)
Louisiana (11-1)
Texas A&M (8-4)
I'm going to start with the teams in contention to make the four-team field. As it currently stands, Georgia would play Cincinnati and Michigan would play Alabama. Georgia and Alabama face each other in the SEC Championship, Michigan plays No. 13 Iowa, and Cincinnati plays No. 21 Houston. Obviously, those teams win and they're in the field.
But for argument's sake, let's take a look at what happens IF those teams lose.
If Alabama loses to Georgia, the Crimson Tide are likely out of the field with a second loss. It is possible they could sneak back in if both Michigan and Cincinnati lose. By these rankings that would likely make the field 1. Georgia 2. Oklahoma State/Notre Dame 3. Oklahoma State/Notre Dame 4. Alabama?.
As you can see that scenario paints a chaotic picture that opens up a spot for a two-loss team. Oklahoma State has to win the Big 12 Championship to be considered, but Baylor will most likely not fit the criteria. The Same is true about Michigan and Iowa, although Michigan is already holding a spot in the current rankings.
In terms of the rest of the teams, the top 12 are essentially your New Year's Six bowl teams unless all hell breaks loose.
As expected, there still isn't much love for the Group of 5 teams. Cincinnati has proven its worth, but teams like Houston, Louisiana, and Sand Diego State may not be getting the respect they deserve.
This certainly sets up an interesting final weekend.