Front Porch FootballCollege Football Playoff: Who’s In, Who’s Out
With just a few weeks left of college football the field for who makes the playoff continues to narrow down. Chris, Brendan, and Harris all give their thoughts on who’s in, who’s out, and who remains on the fringe.
In
Harris: Alabama – This goes without saying, even a die hard Auburn fan like myself can admit that this is the best college football team in years. The biggest improvement from Alabama’s past championship teams? The pass offense with the trio of Ruggs, Juedy and Smith is the best in the country (not to mention Jaylen Waddle).
Chris: Michigan – If the Wolverines win out, and they win the Big Ten Championship, it would be a travesty to leave them out. Michigan would only have a single loss to a team that might very well end up in the College Football Playoff, as well. This is one of the best defensive teams in the entire country, and Shea Patterson is leading Michigan through the Big Ten like he’s a fifth year senior.
Shea Patterson has been a major key to Michigan’s success. Image from Michigan Athletics.
Brendan: Clemson – The Tigers have consistently shown that they deserve to be in the same sentence as Alabama. Sure, their schedule is weak, but Clemson is not. This team is stacked with talented starters, and they run deep in almost every position. A good friend to the Paschals, Andrew Koontz, texted us saying, “can we just sim to the national championship game between Bama and Clemson? I’ve grown tired of this.”
Out
Brendan: West Virginia – Yes, the Mountaineers only have one loss and could shake up the Big 12 in the final game of the regular season against Oklahoma. However, even if they win out, there are too many variables for West Virginia to make the playoffs. Currently sitting in the CFP rankings at number nine too many teams would have to lose for West Virginia to surge up into the top four.
Harris: LSU – After the Tiger’s 29-0 loss to SEC powerhouse Alabama, their playoff chances have vanished right before their eyes. Yes, all of America was on their side last weekend, but they squandered any chance they might’ve had with that embarrassing offensive performance. Even with the best secondary in the nation, LSU has amounted to nothing with their anemic pass game.
Chris: Ohio State – I don’t care if they beat Michigan, win the Big Ten East, and go on to win the Big Ten – they cannot be allowed in the College Football Playoff. The last time Ohio State was in the playoff, they were seen getting shut out by the Clemson Tigers. Since then, the Buckeyes have been whipped by the likes of Iowa and Purdue. The committee has been painfully clear. You are allowed to lose a game, but you cannot get blown out in that loss. Ohio State was blown out by a pedestrian Purdue. Not Penn State, not Wisconsin, not Alabama, not Oklahoma…Purdue. The Buckeyes are dead in the water.
Ohio State has an ugly blemish on their resume. Image from Dayton Daily News.
Fringe
Chris: Oklahoma – The Sooners need help. They cannot lose another game, they have to win the Big 12 Title, and they have to have someone lose in front of them. If Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Michigan win out, the Sooners are on the outside looking in. Further, if Alabama loses a close SEC Title Game to the Georgia Bulldogs, and even if Clemson, Michigan, or Notre Dame drop a game, I could see the committee letting in Alabama at the fourth seed over a one-loss Notre Dame, a one-loss Clemson, a two-loss Michigan, and yes, even the Tide in over a one-loss, Big 12 Champion Oklahoma Sooners.
Brendan: Georgia – With both Alabama clinching the West and Georgia winning the East both teams are already scheduled to meet in Atlanta on December 1. There is a lot of talk of if Georgia beats Alabama in the SEC championship they should make the playoff. But, who would they kick out? An undefeated Notre Dame or a one loss Michigan?
Georgia has a strong argument if they win out. Image from Georgia Athletics.
