PLAYOFF RANKINGS SCENARIOS

MAXIMUM OUTRAGE

The defense-smitten committee could be presented with an alternative option for the fourth spot depending on how things go in the SEC championship game. It will drive fans outside of SEC country out of their minds, but Alabama seems like a lock to make the playoff even if it loses — barring some kind of epic beatdown of the Tide by the Bulldogs in Atlanta. Note: Alabama has never lost a game by more than 14 points under Nick Saban. What will make SEC haters even angrier: What if Alabama beats Georgia 31-28 on a last-play field goal and the committee is so impressed with the Bulldogs they just throw them in there at No. 4, despite the two losses and lack of a conference championship? That seems extreme considering the committee has yet to include a two-loss team in the playoff, bypassing ones with conference championships for one-loss teams without. But if Ohio State and/or Oklahoma are unimpressive winners — or they both lose — the CFP could have two SEC teams in it for the second straight season. And, just to make even more people angry, Notre Dame’s inclusion would mean three of the Power Five conference would not be represented.

IS CLEMSON IN ALREADY? Looks good for the Tigers. Don’t bet on Clemson losing to Pitt (7-5) in the ACC title game this weekend — seriously, do not do that. If it were to happen, though, would it really be worse than losing to Purdue the way Ohio State did? And could the committee really pass over Clemson’s balancel — fourth in offensive yards per play and third in defensive yards per play — for the lopsided Sooners? Not having that conference championship could get tricky, and Ohio State and Oklahoma fans would cry strength of schedule because of a down year in the ACC, but having played Texas A&M and South Carolina outside the conference means the numbers look OK there for the Tigers, too. TOUGH LOSS FOR COUGARS After Washington State lost to Washington last Friday to hand the Huskies a spot in the Pac-12 championship game, the

assumption was Wazzu was still in fine shape for a big game. Maybe the Fiesta Bowl. Upon further, review probably not. The Cougars (10-2) were ranked 13th, behind ninth-ranked Florida, 10th-ranked LSU, 11thranked Washington and 12thranked Penn State, all with three losses. Wazzu will be shut out of the New Year’s Six.

IF FORM HOLDS

If all the favorites win and the committee doesn’t become infatuated with Georgia, the New Year’s Six bowls will likely look like this:

Orange Bowl (semifinal): No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oklahoma. Cotton Bowl (semifinal): No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Notre Dame. (Note: Alabama is close to Arlington, Texas, but Oklahoma is even closer. CFP protocol directs the committee to give the No. 1 seed as much of a homefield advantage as possible. Would that be served if the No. 4 is playing closest to home?) Rose Bowl: Ohio State-Washington.

Sugar Bowl: Texas (or West Virginia) vs. Georgia.

Peach Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida.

Fiesta Bowl: UCF vs LSU.