This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
The Big Ten lost a potential playoff candidate, but retained two. The Big 12 lost a playoff candidate, but retained two. The ACC kept its only shot alive and the SEC, well the SEC, in a strange twist, actually improved its chances of putting a team in the final four by having its undefeated team beat by its best one-loss team. Just another week of college football in the new four-team playoff era.
The most recent rankings were released earlier this week and, surprisingly, Notre Dame is now on the inside. But again, these rankings reflect the landscape as it is now, not what it will be at the end of the month.
Although the current rankings hold to bearing on the final rankings, it is interesting to see how the committee currently views the teams near the top. Clemson holds the top spot, which is a bit of a surprise, but considering how highly the committee thinks of Notre Dame, it's not all that shocking.
Speaking of Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish are the only team in the top-six that doesn't control its own destiny, which begs the question -- if they don't control their own destiny, then why rank them in the top-4 right now? I don't have the answer to that, but it seems clear that an undefeated Big Ten or Big 12 team will jump a one-loss Notre Dame team or all hell will break loose.
That said, the recent losses of TCU and Michigan State
The Big Ten lost a potential playoff candidate, but retained two. The Big 12 lost a playoff candidate, but retained two. The ACC kept its only shot alive and the SEC, well the SEC, in a strange twist, actually improved its chances of putting a team in the final four by having its undefeated team beat by its best one-loss team. Just another week of college football in the new four-team playoff era.
The most recent rankings were released earlier this week and, surprisingly, Notre Dame is now on the inside. But again, these rankings reflect the landscape as it is now, not what it will be at the end of the month.
Although the current rankings hold to bearing on the final rankings, it is interesting to see how the committee currently views the teams near the top. Clemson holds the top spot, which is a bit of a surprise, but considering how highly the committee thinks of Notre Dame, it's not all that shocking.
Speaking of Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish are the only team in the top-six that doesn't control its own destiny, which begs the question -- if they don't control their own destiny, then why rank them in the top-4 right now? I don't have the answer to that, but it seems clear that an undefeated Big Ten or Big 12 team will jump a one-loss Notre Dame team or all hell will break loose.
That said, the recent losses of TCU and Michigan State muddy the waters a bit. Ohio State could easily drop a game prior to the Big Ten Championship, and if the Buckeyes do, then a win over an undefeated Iowa team would likely end any chance of the Big Ten participating in the playoff.
A similar situation is developing in the Big 12, where Oklahoma State and Baylor remain undefeated. As we are all aware, there is no championship game in the Big 12, which means if Oklahoma State and Baylor slip, and there are plenty of opportunities to do so, then the Big 12 is on the outside looking in.
If the Big Ten and Big 12 push an undefeated team through, then we are likely looking at three undefeated teams and Alabama, and that would be a treat.
As always, I'll tweet any insights I come up with post-article each week. You can follow me at @gregvara.
CREAM OF THE CROP (Week: 2-1; Season: 14-18)
Saturday
Memphis at Houston: Memphis' slim hopes for a playoff spot went out the window last week with a loss against Navy and there is no side of the ball in particular to blame because neither played well. That should work in our favor this week though as the Tigers offense is simply too strong to be held down in consecutive weeks. As for the defense, it's in trouble again this week as the Cougars bring one of the nation's better offenses into this game.
Total: Over 70.5
Ohio State at Illinois: This is a typical "trap game" for Ohio State as Michigan State is on the horizon, but after what happened to MSU last week, I highly doubt the Buckeyes will look past this game. There's also the J.T. Barrett factor; after a one-week suspension, he'll be raring to go. The offense has been at its best with Barrett at the helm and they should roll in this one.
Side: OSU -15.5
Kansas State at Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have become a staple of this column and although I've been hit or miss with them, I think I've found a fool-proof angle. During six home games this season, the fewest points scored between the two teams was 89. In other words, Texas Tech favors getting into shootouts at home. Kansas State hasn't been the greatest over team this season, but Texas Tech has a way of drawing teams into shootouts at home.
Total: Over 71.5
Minnesota at Iowa: Minnesota has dropped its first two games under its new head coach, but believe it or not, the Gophers are playing their best ball. They should have beaten Michigan two weeks ago and they never let Ohio State run away from them last week. Iowa is on a mission to get to the Big Ten Championship game undefeated, and I don't think the Hawkeyes will lose this week, but I do think they'll struggle to put away the Gophers.
Side: Minnesota +12.5
BEST OF THE REST (Week: 1-2; Season: 11-19)
Thursday
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech's record on the whole is not very impressive, but the Yellow Jackets have played well in certain spots. They hung with Notre Dame early in the season and they were the first team to knock-off Florida State. This game doesn't hold nearly the weight of those two games, but it is a national spotlight game and they have plenty to beat an average Virginia Tech team that struggles on the road.
Side: Georgia Tech -3
Saturday
Michigan at Indiana: The Hoosiers don't have many wins on their resume this season, but they've managed to play well against tougher competition. Perhaps it's the style of play that makes it tough on their opponents, or perhaps it's the fact that they are often overlooked. Whatever the case, 13.5 points is a lot to lay on the road.
Side: Indiana +13.5
Kentucky at Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt has been the ultimate under team this season, even with totals in the 30s, the Commodores have managed to go under week after week. This week, the total is in the 40s, albeit, just over 40, but still, I can't imagine a scenario where this game reaches that number.
Total: Under 40.5
PASSing THOUGHTS (Week: 1-2; Season: 10-14)
Saturday
Clemson at Syracuse: Clemson is on a roll, but for all the wins the Tigers have accumulated, they haven't blown out many teams this season. Sure, the Orange don't pose much of a threat this week, but Clemson is due for a letdown at some point and this week looks as good as any.
Side: Syracuse +28
Arkansas at LSU: It will be interesting to see how the Tigers respond after their loss at Alabama last week. If they come prepared at all, they should handle a tired Razorback team with ease. Arkansas can't stop anyone on offense and LSU should run all over them ... if they are up for this one.
Side: LSU -7
Oklahoma at Baylor: I wonder what this line would be if Seth Russell were playing? After one game, it looks like Baylor isn't going to skip a beat, so why such a small line? I think there's a little too much respect given to Oklahoma because of the name.
Side: Baylor -2
