1. What this all really means …
For all the complaining and whining and nitpicking over which team should be ranked in the mid-teens instead of the lower-teens, it comes down to this.
Who controls their own destiny?
More than anything else, these first rankings are a jumping off point. They get thrown out before next week and the committee starts over again.
Here’s who is in by winning out.
No. 1 Alabama
Win out, and it’s the No. 1 seed playing in the Sugar Bowl. Lose to Florida in a close fight in the SEC Championship, and it’s still almost certainly in.
No. 2 Notre Dame
Same as Alabama, win out, and it’s at worst the No. 2 seed. Even if it gets up to the No. 1 spot, it’s probably going to the Rose Bowl no matter what. If it beats North Carolina this week, goes unbeaten in the regular season, and loses to Clemson in a close fight in the ACC championship, put it in at the 4.
No. 3 Clemson
It’s cut-and-day. Win out, or be out. Win out, and Clemson is the No. 2 seed going to the Rose Bowl, or to the Sugar if it gets up to the No. 1 spot. Lose once more, and it’s almost certainly done.
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No. 4 Ohio State
Win out, and in no matter what as no worse than the No. 3 seed and the Rose Bowl. Win the Big Ten championship with one loss – like, if this is the year Michigan somehow gets it done – and it’s in as the 4. Lose to Northwestern in the Big Ten championship, and it gets dicey.
No. 6 Florida
Win out, beat Alabama in the SEC Championship, and it’s either the 2 or 3 seed.
No. 8 Northwestern
It’s all on the table. Win the last few games, shock Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, and in. Or, get there unbeaten, lose in a great fight with the Buckeyes, and it’ll be in the discussion for the No. 4 spot.
Everyone else … win out, and get a whole lot of help.
– Rapid-Fire First Reaction
– This week’s big whiff
– The known unknown
– The Cincinnati situation
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