Storyline: With three top teams losing last Saturday, the College Playoff Picture is scrambled and unclear. Let’s take a look at the college football’s new order.
Saturday, November 12 ….
BOOM! Down goes #2 Clemson.
BOOM! Down goes #3 Michigan.
BOOM! Down goes #4 Washington.
Not since October 19 1985 have the top teams — number 2, 3, and 4 in the nation — all lost on the same day. By the time the last tackle was made last Saturday night the country went from having five undefeated teams to just two–Alabama and Western Michigan.
Husky Stadium was rocking in the game against USC (photo, YouTube)
Clemson and Michigan both lost on last-second field goals to Pittsburgh and Iowa, respectively, and U-Dub and Heisman candidate, Jake Browning, never got going at home in a 26-13 loss to #20 USC.
While the mood was quite somber in Clemson, Ann Arbor, and Seattle, the ambiance in Louisville and Columbus was one of rebirth: the Cardinals and Buckeyes are back in the College Football Playoff picture.
As for Texas A&M and Auburn? The mood is one of regret and a missed opportunity. The #8 Aggies were upset by Ole Miss at home and the #9 Tigers lost a 13-7 defensive tussle to Georgia in Athens.
The big question now is where teams stand. Here are my thoughts.
THE NEW TOP FOUR
Alabama Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 SEC): After Mississippi State shocked Texas A&M last Saturday, some thought the Bulldogs could go into Bryant-Denny and give Saban and the Crimson Tide a decent game. My, were those people mistaken! Nick Saban’s focus on this game definitely showed in the Tide’s 51-3 rout of the Bulldogs. Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts passed for 347 yards and rushed for an additional 100 yards, making him the first player in school history to do so. Mighty Alabama with a running quarterback! It’s not even fair.
Urban Meyer has the Buckeyes in the Playoff hunt (photo, usatoday.com)
Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten): A few weeks ago a special teams’ play vanquished the Buckeyes’ hopes for a perfect season: Penn State blocked a field goal and took it all the way to the house to lift the Nittany Lions to a 24-21 victory. Ironically, it was also a special teams’ play that kept OSU’s College Football Playoff hopes alive. With the Wolverines’ loss to Iowa–on a walk off FG–the Buckeyes are right back in the driver’s seat for another Playoff appearance. However, OSU must still beat “That team Up North” (Michigan) a week from Saturday in “The Game.” This matchup is very similar to the Ohio State-Michigan game 10 years ago when the teams met in Columbus. Both teams were boasting an 11-0 record and a trip to the BCS Championship game was on the line. The Buckeyes won, 42-39. Will history repeat? We’ll see.
Louisville Cardinals (9-1, 7-1 ACC): The State of Kentucky is known for college basketball, but Bobby Petrino and the Cardinals are showing the state’s passion for college football. The Cardinals have a defense that ranks in the Top 10 nationally and an offense that’s electric with Heisman frontrunner, Lamar Jackson, under center. While the Cards lost a head-to-head clash with Clemson at “Death Valley” back on October 1, UL lost to a Top 5 opponent that day at one of the toughest environments to play in America. And, on Saturday, Clemson lost to an unranked opponent at home. So, yes, the Tigers beat the Cardinals head-to-head, but the Tigers’ loss to Pitt has allowed the Cards to slide back into the playoff picture.
Clemson Tigers (9-1, 6-1 ACC): Clemson coach Dabo Swinney needs to send a gift basket to Jim Harbaugh, Chris Petersen, Gus Malzahn, and Kevin Sumlin. Their loses have allowed Clemson to cling to a spot in the top four. Now that they’re there, the Tigers could scrap its way to another national championship game appearance. But, seriously, Dabo, send Harbaugh a nice box of nails, which is probably what the guy eats for breakfast.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Michigan: The Wolverines’ season isn’t finished. A win at “The Shoe” a week from Saturday will get Michigan back in it. But a loss will bring “Hello, Rose Bowl!” for Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
Does WVU have a chance? (photo, Big 12 Conference/West Virginia University)
Wisconsin: The Badgers lost to Michigan and Ohio State each by a mere touchdown. They also notched a signature win against LSU in Week One and upset then-#7 Nebraska a couple weeks ago. But, let’s be clear about this: it will still take a crazy set of circumstances for the Badgers to make the playoffs.
West Virginia: The one-loss Mountaineers have a VERY distant shot at grabbing the last slot. Key upsets of other contenders, coupled with an impressive win against #11 Oklahoma at home on Saturday, could let the Mountaineers creep up in the rankings.
THANKS FOR PLAYING
Washington: The Huskies’ SOS is so weak that Rutgers becomes UW’s toughest non-conference opponent. U-Dub fans need to focus on The Rose Bowl.
The undefeated Broncos are on the outside looking in (photo, Rukkus)
Penn State: Yes, the Nittany Lions beat Ohio State, but a 39-point beat down from Michigan is going to make “Happy Valley” not so happy.
Auburn: With three losses to date, not even an upset win at Alabama a week from Saturday can keep the Tigers’ playoff hopes alive.
Texas A&M: What a fall! #4 just two weeks ago the Aggies were upset by Mississippi State and then Ole Miss. Sugar Bowl, here we come!
Western Michigan: The Broncos are undefeated, but they have a stature problem: not playing in a Power 5 conference. Case closed.
