College Football Playoff Rankings: How The Top 25 Should Be Done, Top 4
4. Michigan Wolverines (8-0)
The Case For This Spot: Methodical. Even when the team screws up and doesn’t play all that well, the way the machine has worked has been amazing. Every win except the Maryland game was by double-digits, with the line play on both sides taking over in the second half.
Win That Matters: Michigan 41, Penn State 17
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Michigan 34, Maryland 27
Up Next: at Rutgers
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0)
The Case For This Spot: The committee will eye test this team to the altar, and there are enough decent wins to make up for the lack of one killer victory. Beating Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Iowa were all fine, but more importantly, there hasn’t been a hint of drama including against Penn State once the O got rolling in the second half – come on, you knew that was coming. No one has come closer than 11 points.
Win That Matters: Ohio State 44, Penn State 31
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10
Up Next: at Northwestern
2. Georgia Bulldogs (8-0)
The Case For This Spot: It was the frightening ease in the 49-3 win over Oregon that set the tone. A tough performance against Missouri and mediocre day against Kent State will be just enough to split hairs and put the Bulldogs outside of the top spot, but it won’t matter. Take care of business on Saturday against that team from Knoxville and the top seed in the tournament will be the Dawgs’ as long as they keep winning.
Win That Matters: Georgia 49, Oregon 3
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Georgia 26, Missouri 22
Up Next: Tennessee
1. Tennessee (8-0)
The Case For This Spot: To know the College Football Playoff committee is to understand just how much it loves itself some Alabama. Throw out all the rules and precedents when it comes to the committee’s “because it’s Alabama” clause. Tennessee beat Alabama – and ripped through Kentucky and LSU – to be enough to give the team the top spot in the first round of College Football Playoff rankings. Now it has to beat Georgia in Athens to keep it.
Win That Matters: Tennessee 52, Alabama 49
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Tennessee 34, Pitt 27
Up Next: at Georgia
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College Football Playoff: Helping The Committee With The Top 25
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