11-30-2015, 03:03 PM
My predictions of the playoff rankings have been pretty spot on after the first week, when Jeff Long made clear how much the committee values schedule strength. And there is no doubt the committee is fully aware of the numbers in those tweets. Moreover, conference championships are a prerequisite.
The polls say Ohio State is #6 and Stanford is #7, but it doesn't make sense for the committee to rank Ohio State ahead of Stanford with Stanford in the Pac-12 championship game and Ohio State not in the B1G championship game. Some may say "but Ohio State only has one loss to Michigan State," to wit the committee will say "Stanford played 9 games against Power 5 bowl teams and went 2-2 against teams ranked in the latest Top 25 poll. Ohio State played just 5 games against power 5 bowl teams and went 1-1 against Top 25 teams. Stanford also beat 10-1 ND, and lost to the #15 team by 2 pts."
If Stanford beats USC, Stanford will finish #5 if Clemson and Alabama win, so why would they put Ohio State ahead of Stanford now? I honestly don't have a problem with the Iowa/Michigan State winner, Oklahoma, a 1-loss Alabama and undefeated Clemson getting the nod over Stanford.Â
However, if...
Alabama or Clemson lose, and Stanford wins:Â B1G CG winner, Oklahoma, Stanford, Bama/Clemson winner
Alabama and Clemson lose, and Stanford wins: Oklahoma, B1G CG winner, Stanford, UNC
Clemson, Alabama, and Stanford all lose: Oklahoma, B1G winner, UNC, Ohio State
The polls say Ohio State is #6 and Stanford is #7, but it doesn't make sense for the committee to rank Ohio State ahead of Stanford with Stanford in the Pac-12 championship game and Ohio State not in the B1G championship game. Some may say "but Ohio State only has one loss to Michigan State," to wit the committee will say "Stanford played 9 games against Power 5 bowl teams and went 2-2 against teams ranked in the latest Top 25 poll. Ohio State played just 5 games against power 5 bowl teams and went 1-1 against Top 25 teams. Stanford also beat 10-1 ND, and lost to the #15 team by 2 pts."
If Stanford beats USC, Stanford will finish #5 if Clemson and Alabama win, so why would they put Ohio State ahead of Stanford now? I honestly don't have a problem with the Iowa/Michigan State winner, Oklahoma, a 1-loss Alabama and undefeated Clemson getting the nod over Stanford.Â
However, if...
Alabama or Clemson lose, and Stanford wins:Â B1G CG winner, Oklahoma, Stanford, Bama/Clemson winner
Alabama and Clemson lose, and Stanford wins: Oklahoma, B1G CG winner, Stanford, UNC
Clemson, Alabama, and Stanford all lose: Oklahoma, B1G winner, UNC, Ohio State