College Football Playoff Rankings Reaction: 5 Things We Learned. Utah vs. Big 12 Fight

Five reactions and what we learned from the fourth rankings from the College Football Playoff committee.  

3. The known unknown is …

So how much does Alabama have to beat Auburn by?

What’s the number?

This is one of the parts of the committee’s refusal to take us through the process that really stinks.

Really, what does Alabama have to do? It would be extremely fair for Bama to know where it stands and what the committee might be looking for.

Does the committee want to see Mac Jones throw for 300 yards?

Does it want to see a 30 point blowout? Will 24 points do? Does it want a shutout?

What’s that magical number going to be that gets the Crimson Tide in as one of the four best teams?

Right now, Alabama can’t assume anything other than it has completely and totally annihilate the Tigers. Now that it’s going to try doing anything other than that, but maybe it presses a little more. Maybe it takes more chances if it thinks it has to look more explosive with the backup quarterback.

Or maybe it can win 59-0 and it doesn’t matter if Utah or a Big 12 champion finishes 12-1.

It’s Bama’s job to put a massive number on the board and stress test the committee from there.

And while we’re all debating this, one quick note.

You have as many wins over teams ranked in the latest round of College Football Playoff rankings as Alabama and Utah do.

Rapid First First Reaction
Big 12 vs. Utah
Penn State love
What it all really means

NEXT: Penn State only dropping to 10 matters …