College Football Playoff Rankings: How The Top 25 Should Be Done – The Top 4
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1)
The Case For This Spot: The committee has always given Alabama the benefit of every possible doubt – and for good reason. The one loss to Texas A&M should be enough to keep it out of the top three for now – don’t be shocked, though, if Bama starts out at No. 2 – and the somewhat shaky day at Florida will factor in. However, the dominance over Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Tennessee will factor in.
Win That Matters: Alabama 42, Ole Miss 21
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Texas A&M 41, Alabama 38
Up Next: LSU
3. Michigan State Spartans (8-0)
The Case For This Spot: When it comes to how the College Football Playoff rankings usually go, big, giant wins matter the most. Now the 38-17 win over Miami on the road looks a whole lot better, and the victory over previously unbeaten Michigan will be fresh. Like the case for the next pick, it’s about where teams are trending, and Michigan State is going way, way up.
In reality, though, don’t be stunned if Cincinnati is ahead of Michigan State – for now. The committee will compare and contrast, and the Bearcat win at Indiana might be a deciding factor over MSU’s close game against the Hoosiers. Also, the committee might like the UC win over Notre Dame more than MSU’s win over Michigan.
Win That Matters: Michigan State 37, Michigan 33
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Michigan State 20, Indiana 15
Up Next: at Purdue
2. Oklahoma Sooners (9-0)
The Case For This Spot: Remember that the College Football Playoff committee cares about momentum and the here-and-now as much as the total resumé. The rise of Caleb Williams and the explosion of the offense will matter – along with the 9-0 record.
The rough performance against Kansas will be a part of the equation, and there isn’t any one amazing win to point to, but for now, this team is trending up, and it has the most wins – that’s going to matter.
Win That Matters: Oklahoma 55, Texas 48
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Oklahoma 35, Kansas 23
Up Next: at Baylor (November 13)
1. Georgia Bulldogs (8-0)
The Case For This Spot: The defense is absolutely dominant and there’s no fluff among the eight wins so far. There’s no reasonable argument for anyone else right now.
Win That Matters: Georgia 34, Florida 7
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Georgia 10, Clemson 3
Up Next: Missouri
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