4. The deep, deep, DEEP sleeper now is …
USC moving up from 20 to 15.
NO, I’m not saying a 6-0 Pac-12 Champion USC is getting into the top four – that’s way too much of a stretch – however …
Let’s say Alabama wins the SEC, Ohio State gets into the Big Ten title game and wins, and Notre Dame beats Clemson.
Who’s No. 4?
There’s going to be someone in the College Football Playoff committee room who’ll point out that – if USC really does go unbeaten and win the Pac-12 title – there could be a chance for four unbeaten Power Five champions in the playoff.
Nah, too much has to happen.
USC won’t have a big enough body of work, and it doesn’t help that the Pac-12 North champ won’t be that impressive of an opponent in the championship. However, at the very least, if it gets through the rest of the slate clean, and if it blows out UCLA and wins the Pac-12 Championship in a romp …
Nah. But the Pac-12 would have a beef, and next week’s rankings could be interesting if the Trojans romp all over the Bruins.
– First Reaction
– Ohio State is in the Top 4
– New Year’s Six Situation
– What it all really means