The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Scenarios that could create CFP chaos
It appears so simple.
Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Michigan win out, thus creating a slam-dunk College Football Playoff field. With the CFP, though, it’s hardly simple.
If any of the aforementioned teams slips up down the stretch, it could have huge implications for others. A few scenarios that could create CFP chaos:
• Georgia upsetting Alabama in the SEC Championship game: If the Bulldogs win out, they will be a 12-1 SEC champ and in the CFP. Even a Crimson Tide loss would likely still have them as an at-large pick similar to last season when it was the last team in and won the national championship.
• Ohio State defeating Michigan on Nov. 24: The Buckeyes have many scratching their heads but the team is still 8-1, and if it wins out and is a 12-1 Big Ten champion, OSU will be on the board as a team under consideration. A 49-20 loss at Purdue will likely be a factor weighing down OSU. The Buckeyes eliminating U-M will have a ripple effect, and possibly open the door for a Big 12 team.
• Oklahoma or West Virginia dominating down the stretch: It’s all setting up for a Big 12 showdown the day after Thanksgiving when the 8-1 Sooners play at 7-1 West Virginia on Nov. 23. Oklahoma State could have a say in wreaking havoc in the conference. The Cowboys host Oklahoma this week, and the Mountaineers play in Stillwater on Nov. 17.
• Notre Dame losing to Syracuse at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 17: Few, if any, expected the Fighting Irish’s toughest test down the stretch to be Syracuse, but it’s playing out that way. ND hosts Florida State Nov. 10, then finishes with USC on Nov. 24. However, the Seminoles are 4-5, and the Trojans have taken a step back at 5-4. The Orange are 7-2, and pushed Clemson to the limit in a 27-23 loss. If the Fighting Irish lose, it would be great news for the Big Ten and Big 12 champions (if they are one-loss Michigan, OSU, Oklahoma or WVU), and possibly a oneloss Pac-12 champ Washington State and an undefeated Central Florida.
Top 10
1. Alabama 9-0 (1): Won at LSU, 29-0
2. Notre Dame 9-0 (3): Won at Northwestern, 3121
3. Clemson 9-0 (2): Defeated Louisville, 77-16
4. Michigan 8-1 (4): Defeated Penn State, 42-7
5. Georgia 8-1 (9): Won at Kentucky, 34-17
6. Oklahoma 8-1 (8): Won at Texas Tech, 51-46
7. Washington State 8-1 (9): Defeated Cal, 19-13
8. UCF 8-0 (NR): Defeated Temple, 52-40
9. West Virginia 7-1 (NR): Won at Texas, 42-41
10. Ohio State 8-1 (10): Defeated Nebraska, 36-31
Watch list: LSU, Kentucky, Boston College, Syracuse, Cincinnati
Top games to watch
Nov. 7 Ohio at Miami (Ohio), 7 (ESPNU) Nov. 9 Louisville at Syracuse, 7 (ESPN2)
Fresno State at Boise State, 10:15 (ESPN2) Nov. 10 Ohio State at Michigan State, noon (WJW)
TCU at West Virginia, noon (Fox Sports 1)
Wisconsin at Penn State, noon (WEWS)
Michigan at Rutgers, 3:30 (Big Ten Network)
Mississippi State at Alabama, 3:30 (WOIO)
Northwestern at Iowa, 3:30 (WJW)
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, 3:30 (WEWS)
Auburn at Georgia, 7 (ESPN)
South Florida at Cincinnati, 7 (ESPNU)
Florida State at Notre Dame, 7:30 (WKYC)
Texas at Texas Tech, 7:30 (WJW)
Clemson at Boston College, 8 (WEWS)
Reach Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald. com. On Twitter: @mpodo