Three more undefeated teams went down this weekend leaving only five. However, there are a plethora of one-loss teams that think they deserve a spot in the top 4. The CFP committee will meet for the first time this week and release their rankings on Tuesday evening. There is no doubt some teams will feel disrespected and will have to prove themselves to the committee to earn a spot in the playoff. There is plenty of time for the rankings to change before the final playoff teams are set on December 3.
Playoff committee criteria
The committee values the Strength Of Schedule over anything else at this point in the season, and some of the top undefeated teams have a question mark in that area.
Many argue that AP No. 1 ranked Alabama has not played high caliber opponents, and they should not remain at the top although they are undefeated. UGA has some questions about their strength of schedule because the SEC East is very weak this year, but the Bulldogs have a very strong win over Notre Dame earlier in the season. Despite these questions, the committee will most likely put Alabama and Georgia at the No. 1 and No. 2 spot in the CFP rankings. Wisconsin, Miami, and UCF are the other undefeated teams remaining, but it is not likely that they will be placed in the top 4 because they are seriously lacking in strength of schedule thus far in the season. Wisconsin has not played a team in the AP top 25 all season, and they have not dominated like Alabama and Georgia against their opponents.
Miami also has no notable victories, and they have skated by barely against almost all of their conference foes. This brings up the question of one-loss teams. Who deserves the No. 3 and No. 4 spot in the playoff rankings?
Who are the best one-loss teams?
Notre Dame and Penn State stick out because they had one point losses to teams that are now likely to play for a conference championship.
UGA has proven themselves as an SEC powerhouse and at least the No. 2 team in the country, so this makes the Irish look strong. Ohio State has shown potential to win the Big Ten so the Nittany Lions should not be discounted for their loss either. Oklahoma and TCU both lost to Iowa State, but Oklahoma has a solid win over Ohio State which should not be forgotten.
Clemson has played very well this season against their AP top 25 opponents, but that one loss to Syracuse is a brutal setback for the Tigers.
Teams like Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and Washington are on the outside looking in but still have a chance to win their conference and keep their small hope of making the playoffs alive. The committee will have a tough time choosing between all these teams, but I think the No. 1 and No. 2 rank are very clear. The No. 3 and No. 4 rank will most likely consist of Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio State, or Clemson. No matter who is selected there will be controversy, but they will be prepared to back up their selections. The rankings will be revealed on ESPN Tuesday night at 7 PM.
