Yardbarker
x
CFB Crash Course Week 11: When the CFB Playoff rankings still don't matter (yet)
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Alabama Crimson Tide sit in the driver's seat in the College Football Playoff rankings. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

CFB Crash Course Week 11: When the CFB Playoff rankings still don't matter (yet)

Well, was that much ado about nothing, wasn't it?

There was a ton of chatter about Texas A&M being ranked ahead of Washington in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. But how? But why? Who really cares? After all, this is a ranking of right now, and even College Football Playoff Chair Kirby Hocutt says that each week the committee starts with a clean slate when re-ranking the teams. So it doesn't even matter other than for the chatter.

The games and the season mostly determine the four teams who make it in, and there's a ton of football left to play. As stated in last week's Crash Course, the conference races have a lot to determine, and who knows what will happen down the stretch? We just saw Texas A&M lose to Mississippi State, a team that has struggled all season. We still have Auburn-Alabama, Michigan-Ohio State, Washington State-Washington and a bunch of other teams like Mississippi State ready to bite one of these big dogs.

Mississippi State? Yes. Remember that the Bulldogs were the No. 1 team in the very first College Football Playoff rankings in 2014. Yes, Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 with Florida State, Auburn and Ole Miss rounding out the rankings. Of those teams, only Florida State made the actual playoff.

Eventual National Champion Ohio State was ranked No. 16 in the first ranking. Just take it all with a grain of salt. At least for the time being.

1-Southeast Conference

Favorite: Alabama
Bama went into Death Valley, got into a defensive fight and came out with 10-0 victory. I know we don't see many 10-0 games anymore, but this one was a great contest to watch, like a pitchers' duel in baseball. Alabama is still the team to beat in college football.

Game of the Week: LSU at Arkansas
Arkansas just popped the East Division leader Florida last week and takes on an LSU squad coming off a physically and mentally draining game against Alabama. Arkansas has one heck of a defense as well so we can expect a similar kind of game. The Razorbacks' win over the Gators sort of salvaged a tougher than expected season, and knocking off LSU would really get them rolling over the last few games.

Under-the-Radar Game: Kentucky at Tennessee
Kentucky nearly upset Georgia last week and is somehow 4-3 in the SEC and a game back of Florida for the East Division lead. Tennessee also has three losses with all three coming in the last three conference games. Still, the Volunteers are just one loss behind Florida as well and beat the Gators. With Florida still having that game at LSU looming, this is a huge contest that could determine the SEC East champion.

Heisman Watch: Jalen Hurts, Alabama
Sure, Hurts didn't have the elite statistical game we are used to from our Heisman favorites, but dude fought that LSU defense, made an outstanding run for the only touchdown of the game and won a huge contest.

Storyline
Since we all like discussing the playoff rankings, let's look at who in each conference has a chance to get into the playoff. Alabama, of course, has a great chance. Outside of that, the SEC has only one real hope: Auburn. Everyone in the SEC has at least two losses, except Alabama. In the initial rankings, the College Football Playoff had Texas A&M at No. 4, Auburn at No. 9, Florida at No. 11 and LSU at No. 13. A&M, Florida and LSU all lost last week. Auburn is all that's left.

The Tigers are a perfect reason we should have a playoff. Right now, they are playing like one of the best teams in the country even though they didn't start out that way. I mean, this team had to play Clemson on opening night and Texas A&M in the third but has been solid ever since. The Tigers also have a golden chance to beat Alabama in the season finale.

That doesn't mean they control their own destiny, but they do have a compelling shot.

2-Atlantic Coast Conference

Favorite: Clemson
Clemson mauled Syracuse last week and looked every bit of a playoff team. The Tigers have the easiest road remaining and will probably face Virginia Tech or North Carolina in the ACC title game.

Game of the Week: Wake Forest at Louisville
I think Louisville wins this one, handily, but this is the lone game involving two teams with winning ACC records. Feel bad for Wake because after the Demon Deacons play Louisville this week they get Clemson next week. Still, watch this game to see likely Heisman winner Lamar Jackson perform and if the Cardinals can impress enough to convince the selection committee that they deserve a playoff spot.

Under-the-Radar Game: Pittsburgh at Clemson
Kind of the same deal. Clemson should win this one, but Pitt is a team that could go there and give the Tigers some problems.

Heisman Watch: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
He threw for four touchdowns and ran in three more against Boston College. I don't see how he doesn't have this thing in the bag.

Storyline
Clemson has a clear shot at the playoff. Keep winnin and the Tigers are in. Not only that, but they should get one of the two top seeds.

The only other ACC team with a legit shot is Louisville. The Cardinals have just one loss — to Clemson — and that game was in Clemson, and Louisville nearly pulled the game out. Louisville joins Ohio State as the two teams with the best chance to pounce on a spot if one of the top four fall from grace.

3-Big Ten Conference

Favorite: Michigan
After what Michigan did to Maryland and Ohio State did to Nebraska, I think we are all just waiting for Nov. 26.

Game of the Week: Michigan at Iowa
Well, aside from this game. Iowa has had an up-and-down season, but Kinnick Stadium is always a tough place to play (well, except for maybe this season). The Hawkeyes have lost to North Dakota State, Wisconsin and Northwestern at home this season. Still, Iowa would love nothing more to throw a wrench in Michigan's magical season.

Under-the-Radar Game: Minnesota at Nebraska
How about this game? Nebraska has lost two straight after starting the season undefeated. Minnesota is also at 7-2 for the season, tied for the top of the Big Ten West division, and gets to play at Nebraska and at Wisconsin for a shot at the Big Ten title game. Nebraska was completely smoked by Ohio State last week, which could affect how the Huskers come out in this one. Can the Gophers take advantage?

Heisman Watch: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Peppers didn't have a wow-worthy performance in the blowout win over Maryland. It's difficult for a player like Peppers to do so. He's known by Heisman voters, but he most likely won't have what it takes to pass Lamar Jackson.

Storyline
As things lie, you'd think the Ohio State-Michigan winner has a great shot at a playoff berth. The loser may also have a good shot at a berth, especially if it is Michigan.

Wisconsin and Penn State also have a chance at it, though there needs to be a lot to happen before they can think about it. Wisconsin lost to both Ohio State and Michigan but could play the winner of the season-ending rivalry game in the Big Ten Championship Game. If Wisconsin avenges its loss in that game, the Badgers are Big Ten champs who knocked off Ohio State or Michigan from a likely playoff perch. Mind you, there has been no two-loss teams to make the Playoff in the first two seasons.

Penn State has an outside shot. The Nittany Lions did beat Ohio State already, but they were blown out by Michigan. There is a chance they could win the East Division and go on to win the Big Ten Championship, but it'll take a lot. If that happens, you have to think they'd be considered.

4-Pacific 12 Conference

Favorite: Washington
Washington fans were irate when Texas A&M was ranked ahead of the Huskies in the first College Football Playoff poll came out. Well…

Game of the Week: USC at Washington
Washington now has a clear path to the playoff, but USC comes into Seattle with a head of steam. The Trojans have won five straight, including a win over Colorado, and the last three games were by blowout fashion. Washington knows about blowouts, too, and can't look too far ahead to its showdown against Washington State.

Under-the-Radar Game: Stanford at Oregon
There isn't much to see in the Pac-12 after the USC-Washington game. Stanford-Oregon looked like a great game before the season started — after all, they've been the only Pac-12 Championship Game winners in the game's five-year history. That ship has sailed, but what happened? Stanford was sailing along before getting pounded by Washington. Oregon went to Nebraska for its third game, lost and has won just one game since. Maybe this could be a pity party.

Heisman Watch: Jake Browning, Washington
He threw for nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns against Cal. Browning has thrown for 34 touchdowns and an unreal three interceptions this season, which should get him more love than what he's been getting.

Storyline
If there is one thing to take from the first rankings of the College Football Playoff, it is that the committee didn't think too highly of the Pac-12. Now, you'd think that Washington would qualify with an undefeated season, but could anyone else have a chance?

No. Washington State has a chance to beat Washington in the Apple Cup, and Colorado could get to the Pac-12 title game. Even with a Pac-12 title in hand, it would be hard to see the Buffaloes passing one-loss teams from the other big conferences.

5-Big 12 Conference

Favorite: Oklahoma
So during a wild season, the Sooners are where we thought they'd be. They lead the Big 12 and are primed for a conference title, with an outside shot at a Playoff berth. Still, the toughest part of their schedule remains as they get Baylor, West Virginia and Oklahoma State. Let's go!

Game of the Week: Baylor at Oklahoma
Two weeks ago, Baylor was the surprising undefeated team that was looking at getting a Playoff berth. Now, the Bears are smarting from two losses, including getting rolled at home by TCU last week. The Bears are wobbly right now, and the Sooners' punches are crisp.

Under-the-Radar Game: West Virginia at Texas
Texas has won four of the five games it's played in the state of Texas this year, and the one loss was a close one to Oklahoma in Dallas. West Virginia rebounded from the first loss of the season against Oklahoma State by beating Kansas. For the Mountaineers to stay in the Big 12 race, they need to win this game before taking on Oklahoma. Texas is just trying to make a bowl game.

Heisman Watch: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Mayfield pulled out a tough game over Iowa State with four touchdowns and has now thrown at least four touchdowns in his four straight games.

Storyline
Two teams got a shot: West Virginia and Oklahoma. West Virginia has just one loss (to Oklahoma State) and could be a one-loss team that can sneak in if it gets lucky enough. Oklahoma has losses to Houston and Ohio State but has won everything else, including all of its Big 12 games. The Sooners do have the apparent best of the conference as their three remaining games so winning the league with an undefeated record could be enough if something happens above them.

6-Group of Five

Favorite: Western Michigan
The only school in these leagues that has any shot of getting to the playoff is Western Michigan.

Game of the Week: Tulsa at Navy
The West Division of the American Conference is on the line in this one. We all know that Navy beat Houston earlier this season, but Tulsa played the Cougars tough in Houston, losing 38-31. The winner of this one most likely wins the division and plays for the AAC title.

Under-the-Radar Game: Middle Tennessee at Marshall
On Nov. 14, 1970, a plane carrying 37 players and nine coaches of Marshall's football team crashed into a hill killing all 75 on board. The players will wear special helmets with a large "75" on the rear and the 1970 logos. Monday is the 46th anniversary of the crash.

Heisman Watch: Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Pumphrey continues to rack up huge numbers with nearly 1,500 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns already.

Storyline
Boise State and Western Michigan are the lone teams even ranked from outside the Power 5 leagues. Really, neither has any shot of getting into the Playoff, though one could get to a New Year's Six game.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.