So, tonight is the FBS committee's first rankings for the 2016 championship playoff.
Before they come out, I will make my call on who SHOULD be in the first final four. Note: this is NOT a prediction of who should be in the last one (a whole different thing), but a snapshot of now.
First off, let's get this straight: no one-loss team deserves in the F4 when there would now be 4 power 5 conferences with undefeated teams. So, our current F4 should come from this group: LSU, TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Clemson.
Easy enough -- LSU & Clemson are in.
Who else? Now?
I think Michigan State is #2, based on their record. I heard on a radio show this morning that "only LSU has beaten two teams in the Top 25" -- well, Sparty beat #7 Oregon in the second game and then #12 Michigan. So, what gives?
Based on those two wins, they deserve a slot.
Fourth? TCU. Based on wins over Minnesota (a modestly decent team) and Kansas St, Texas and West Virginia, the middling teams in Big 12, they have the best resume of the B12 threesome.
But I won't count on that much. This week's Oak State-TCU game will tell us a lot.
I will say here what will be said ad nauseum (till you're sick) these next few days: there are a lot of games left that will thin the herd, to the point where one suspects we'll be talking about which one-loss team (or teams) should be in the F4. But, for now, it's those four undefeateds on top.
Stay tune for next week and more comments. Go Purdue! (I have to keep trying)
Did you watch the Rutgers game? No objections to your first list. Honestly the Buckeyes have not played to their potential yet. I think last year at this time were #16. The proof of our belonging will be coming in two weeks against MSU.
ReplyDeleteAs I said -- there will be a lot of games that shake this all out.
ReplyDeleteThe explanation that Alabama deserved the 4th spot because they have more wins against "over .500 teams," ignores the fact they lost to Ol Miss, who, like the Mississippi teams did last year and lose many games between now and the first week of December. And Notre Dame! They have a loss! and they almost lost at UVA (supposedly the committee likes a stat called "control of game" -- they weren't in control of that game at all)...
Anyway, we'll see a lot of it work out on the field. Big 10 and Big 12 should have an undefeated champion, which will put them in the F4; maybe ACC (though Clemson has at least one tough game). After that...we'll see.