Big shake up this week with my previous #4 ranked team getting tripped up on the road. Oklahoma’s defense did not show up like they had in previous weeks, but the offense not being able to keep up was definitely eye opening. The Big 12 championship is still in reach for Oklahoma, but it will be difficult to make a push for the top 4 without a signature win and 1 loss. With Texas being unranked and Baylor being unproven, Oklahoma does not have the ability to get a resume changing win. Barring chaos, I believe Oklahoma missed their opportunity at making the playoffs.
I have been going through the top 4 teams for the past few weeks and the main contenders around the top 4. This week I wanted to take a look at some teams with smaller chances at making the playoff who have a path to make it.
Baylor
Being undefeated at this point in the season is still something to be proud of despite having a weaker schedule than most of the other undefeated teams. If this team can beat both Oklahoma and Texas and win the Big 12 championship, you gotta consider them as a legit contender. This team just does not strike me as a team that will make that type of run. They let an 0-8 Rice team almost storm back and beat them, while also needing overtime to beat a 3-5 Texas Tech team. You just don’t see any of the 4 current teams struggling like that and with that I do not see them making this run. However, a 13-0 Big 12 Champion is really tough to keep out of the playoff so if they just take care of what is in front of them they have a chance.
Minnesota
Another surprising undefeated team in a big time conference led by a balanced offensive attack. Minnesota has played well in conference play thus far outscoring their conference opponents by a combined score of 206-72. They face a brutal end to the season with games against Penn State, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Their path would also probably include winning out but they would have to be considered if they win 2 of those 3 games and upset a probable top 2 Ohio State team in the Big 10 Championship. Unlikely, but keep an eye on these Gophers during the final stretch of the season.
Utah
Another path that includes a conference championship but a little more tricky. Led by their stout defense Utah has run through most of the Pac-12 thus far. Except for their trip to Southern Cal, in which the Trojans took care of business with a 30-23 win over the Utes. The big problem here for Utah, is that they cannot win their division within the conference without another USC loss because of the tiebreaker. They may get their wish with USC playing Oregon this week, but then of course Utah would have to beat Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game. I would love to watch a high powered Oregon offense face off against Utah’s dominant defense that has only allowed over 17 points once this season.
Winner of Georgia/Florida
Finally, our first loser goes home game in college football this season. In all likelihood the loser of this game loses a chance for not only the SEC Championship, but a spot in the playoff as well. Both teams have played really well this season, and while Florida has played more consistently and only loss is against LSU, Georgia has shown they have the talent and potential to be one of the best teams in the nation. The winner of this game will have the momentum with a rivalry win under their belt and a probable berth in the SEC Championship with real hopes to upend either Alabama or LSU.
My rankings for this week:
4. Clemson
3. Alabama
2. LSU
1. Ohio State
Quick thoughts on the rankings:
Clemson slides into the 4 spot as they have been rolling lately and are getting into championship shape, the rest of the nation needs to be very concerned with the way Clemson is playing as of late. Alabama continues to roll even without Tua, but their big showdown is coming against LSU next Saturday and they need to be ready for a shootout. LSU gets another big win this time over a previously ranked #9 Auburn team in a gritty game that took all 4 quarters to grind out. LSU with the resume they have cannot be looked at as anything less than a top 2 team. On the other hand Ohio State demolished a Wisconsin team that came into the past week with the best defense in the country. LSU has the best resume in the country, Ohio State has the best team in the country.
