The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2017 season were released Halloween night, and there is plenty to discuss.
Number One
Let’s start at the top of the pecking order with Georgia, who was ranked #1. Yes, #1. Say that 10 times and see if that doesn’t surprise you. If you’re not, I might call you a liar. Not to take anything away from the Bulldogs, they have been dominate in every sense of this college football season. They are a very good team and very well coached. They are very talented on all three sides of the ball. If you have been paying attention to the top 25, Alabama, who is ranked #2, hasn’t moved from #1 of the AP poll all season long. However, if you really think about it and have followed Georgia all season long, Georgia has had the more impressive wins throughout the season. So yeah, it makes sense that they are #1.
Number 2
Alabama tried to book themselves an impressive non-conference schedule. Alabama had themselves a playoff caliber game to start the season against Florida State. The Seminoles have been a disappointment ever since that opening day loss.
Georgia and Alabama will meet each other in the SEC Championship game. A close game may leave both teams in the Top Four. They could also face each other in the playoffs. It is possible if not likely that the SEC Champion will go on to compete for the National Title.
Number Three
The biggest surprise of the night was probably the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame making their way to the #3 spot in the rankings. At the beginning of the season, the Irish were not on anyone’s radar, and you could say that they have been the sleeper team. You are talking about a team that went 4-8 last season. Who would imagine that such a turnaround would happen? Probably no one outside of South Bend. The Irish have a loss on their record. That lost is a one point loss to #1 Georgia, so that doesn’t look bad for them. What looks great for Notre Dame are great wins against Michigan State and USC. The great wins against everyone else for the entire season also helps.
Number Four
Then you have Clemson at #4. The reigning national champs have a one loss to their resume this season. That loss came against Syracuse a few weeks back. Clemson has been staying steady as one of the best teams in the nation. They deserve a spot in the top four.
The Challengers
None of the teams should get too comfortable at the top. There are teams barely on the outside that could easily make their way into the top four. We have Oklahoma at #5, Ohio State at #6, Penn State at #7, and TCU at #8. All teams that have one or two losses on their record. These are also are teams that are certainly well deserving of a shot at the national title. All of these schools are going to have a tough road to crack the top four. There is so much at stake for them with every game from here to the end of the season.
Oklahoma
You have Oklahoma edged out rival Oklahoma State in a high scoring hard fought game. Their remaining schedule includes TCU, Kansas , and West Virginia. TCU is certainly no push over. Kansas should be an easy win for them. As far as West Virginia goes, you never know how West Virginia will perform. They can be a good team, but they are inconsistent. If past meetings give us an indication of how Oklahoma will fare against West Virginia, then it will be a win for the Sooners.
Ohio State
Ohio State has an even tougher road to get into the top four. With a big loss against Iowa, Ohio State will have to excel against Michigan State, and Michigan. Those last two games are very crucial for the Buckeyes. Decisive wins against the teams from Michigan are Ohio State’s only hope for squeezing into the top four.
Penn State
Penn State has had an outstanding season. Their recent loss to Michigan State in a tough game has thrown Penn State a bit off track. The rest of their schedule includes Rutgers, Nebraska, and Maryland. All games which the Nittany Lions are expected to win. Big wins in those final three games may help Penn State have a chance at the national title.
TCU
After a win over Texas, TCU will face a bit of a roadblock on the when they face the Sooners in Norman on the 11th. Their other two games are against Texas Tech, and Baylor. With the Baylor game not meaning as much as it has been in he past for either team. TCU has to stay undefeated up until this game. TCU must win the Baylor game very decisively to possibly make it into the Playoffs. A win against Oklahoma is also imperative.
One thing is for sure is that, this last quarter of the season will bring a lot of drama. It should be exciting.