RJ Young
FOX Sports National College Football Analyst
THE Oregon geese remained No. 1 within the second set of College Football Playoff rankings, launched Tuesday evening.
The Ducks, who at the moment sit at 10-0 total and 7-0 within the Big Ten, have been adopted by Ohio State at No. 2 and Texas at No. 3. Pen State AND Indiana full the highest 5 groups.
Oregon (Big Ten), Texas (SEC), BYU (Big 12) and Miami (ACC) would obtain first-round byes within the 12-team playoffs, whereas Ohio State (Big Ten), Penn State (Big Ten), Indiana (Big Ten) and Tennessee (SEC) will host opening spherical video games.
That mentioned, this is a take a look at my high outcomes from the second set of CFP rankings:
(College Football Playoff Rankings: Oregon, Ohio State high; Alabama makes the highest 10)
1. No. 17-ranked Colorado has a path to the CFP… and a nationwide title.
The Buffs’ highway to the nationwide championship recreation is clear, and that is saying lots in a panorama shrouded in uncertainty for different groups who might finish their season with “solely” 10 wins. But the format and standards are clear: The 4 highest-ranked convention champions is not going to solely earn playoff choice but in addition get a first-round bye, and the Big 12 is a kind of 4 12-team Power 4 leagues . The CFP was designed to accommodate.
For Deion Sanders’ Colorado group, the maths is straightforward: Win in opposition to Utah on Saturday, and each recreation you play after that, and it’ll culminate in a magical 12 months for the Buffaloes. And all of that is because of athletic director Rick George hiring Coach Prime after which following that little cope with a shrewd transfer to affix the Big 12 because the Pac-12 dissolved earlier than him.
With Prime already talked about as a favourite for a job that is not even open but – the Dallas Cowboys – nothing ought to shock you about what might occur in Colorado within the subsequent couple of months and alter, together with successful the nationwide title.
Michael Irvin requested Deion Sanders to educate the Cowboys
2. The “energy of schedule” argument cannot be used in opposition to Indiana for much longer.
The Hoosiers have proven that they haven’t any precedent. Not solely did Indiana develop into the primary program to notch 10 wins this season, however they began the season 10-0 for the primary time in class historical past after successful a complete of 9 video games within the earlier three years mixed (9 -27). While the energy of this schedule is its energy – Indiana has but to beat a ranked opponent this season – the Hoosiers have crushed 9 of 10 opponents by 14 factors or extra.
While the Buckeyes needed to come again to defeat Nebraska in Columbus, Ohio, 21-17, the Hoosiers beat Nebraska 56-7 in Bloomington, Indiana. While the Buckeyes beat Michigan State 38-7 in East Lansing, the Hoosiers beat the Spartans 47-10 in East Lansing. The Oregon Ducks managed to defeat the Spartans 31-10 in Eugene, Oregon. And whereas the Ducks beat Maryland 39-18 in Eugene, the Hoosiers beat the Terps 42-28.
The outcomes may lead you to imagine that Indiana isn’t just among the finest groups within the Big Ten, however among the finest groups within the sport, as Ohio State and Oregon are ranked forward of them.
So why is Penn State, which misplaced to Ohio State, ranked forward of Indiana? Maybe it is as a result of Indiana hasn’t performed anybody, however that adjustments on Nov. 23. The Hoosiers have an opportunity to finish that dialogue in opposition to Ohio State on the Shoe.
3. A defeat Washington State The group deserves the identical consideration as a double defeat Georgia squad.
Sure, Georgia can end 10-2. But are the Bulldogs one of many high 12 groups within the sport? It already appears like a 10-win Power 4 group will likely be not noted of the CFP with 5 spots tied for convention champions and one that does not play a P4 schedule, but when one of many at-large bids goes to a group that has struggled mightily on offense for a lot of a part of the season and solely confirmed he was elite on protection in opposition to Texas?
Georgia was ranked No. 12 within the second sequence of the CFP rankings, whereas Ole Miss, recent off an upset win over the Bulldogs, got here in at No. 11. That means Georgia could be the primary group not noted of the 12-team CFP . area and the Rebels would obtain the No. 1 seed. 11.
Why should not that spot go to Washington State, a group that would end 11-1 with its solely loss coming in opposition to a Boise State group that is projected to be within the 12-team CFP because the highest-scoring Group of 5 champion excessive? Or, how about an Army program ranked twenty fourth and will end the season undefeated?
It’s the sort of dialog that ought to embody Notre Dame, which, like Washington State, will not play 9 video games in opposition to P4 opponents however is on tempo to be 11-1.
The distinction for Notre Dame is who they beat, such because the group on the high of the SEC standings, Texas A&M, in addition to beforehand undefeated Navy. And the Irish have a chance to defeat an undefeated Army group on Nov. 23. The greatest win on Washington State’s resume could be San Jose State, and their schedule is one they needed to make on the fly with a short-term cope with the United States. West Mountain. Yet, as a result of Washington State is a member of a convention and not using a championship recreation, the Cougars are more likely to really feel as if circumstances performed an even bigger position in not qualifying for the CFP than their play, even in a event with 12 groups incomes invites.
We sincerely thought Florida State could be the final group to do what it was requested to do to earn entry into the CFP after which be not noted attributable to circumstances – similar to shedding its beginning quarterback to an damage. finish of season – however we might be mistaken once more. But that will not soothe the ache which may be in retailer for an 11-win Washington State group.
RJ Young is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports and host of “The Number One College Football Show” podcast. Follow him to @RJ_Young.
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