November always takes care of itself. In the end, Cincinnati's poor sched will probably keep them out. I suspect the committee will rank them where they feel they fall against the other top teams, not looking at losses like the stupid polls do. Most of the top teams would beat them, and I'd expect ND to spank them if they played again right now as opposed to before they had their OL sorted.
I sort of expect that either SMU or Houston will get Cincinnati and keep them from a undefeated season.
Well take the Georgia Southern job off the list of vacancies. Former USC coach Clay Helton has agreed to a deal to become the next head coach at Georgia Southern, a source told ESPN. Helton, who was fired by the Trojans on Sept. 13, replaces Chad Lunsford, who was fired by the Eagles on Sept. 26, following a 1-3 start to the season. Helton was 1-1 this season when USC fired him. He went 46-24 overall at USC, where he became permanent head coach in late 2015 after a six-year run as a Trojans assistant.
1.Georgia.... No surprise 2. Alabama.. No surprise 3. Michigan State... Little surprise 4. Oregon.. Surprise 5. Ohio State.. Surprise 6. Cincinnati.. Surprise 7 Michigan.. 8. Oklahoma.. Should at least be 7 9. Wake Forrest 10. Notre Dame
13 of the top 25 are either Big10 or SEC. Big10 #3, #5, #7, #20, #21, #22 SEC #1, #2, #13, #14, #16, #17, #18
I'm not sure I understand the committee's reasoning, I'm pretty sure Alabama will lose one more game and may not even be in the SECCG and either Ohio State or Michigan will have another loss as well. Oh well as long as we all realize that this can't be the final four I guess it is okay.
When was the last time you saw the #9 ranked team as an underdog to an unranked team as Wake is to UNC who just lost to the #10 ranked team.
As I expected there is non-stop talk about Cincinnati are they being disrespected or are they where they should be in the rankings. As previously noted the Big 10 is unlikely to have an undefeated conference champion as I can't really see Michigan State running the table, of course they could but it does seem unlikely. But one thing nobody is talking about is what happens if Wake Forrest runs the table and ends up an undefeated Power 5 Champion? Again I really don't think that will happen but like Michigan State it could happen. I also don't think OU is going to run the table, they have some tough games coming up with Baylor, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State plus likely have to beat one of those twice with the way the B12 Championship game is set up. Given how Cincinnati has played the last 2 weeks vs Navy and Tulane it's hard to imagine they will beat both SMU and Houston (assuming Houston makes the AAC Champ game) So many things can happen I predict chaos for the 3rd and 4th slots, and cries for expanded playoffs.
I guess this is why they start the rankings this early... to get folks riled up and "excited" about the Playoff. This ranking is meaningless for a lot of the reasons Terry lists - records will change, and some will rise while others fall. The only one that really matters is the final ranking, and it won't be here for another 5 weeks. Personally, I would barely put Cincy in the top 10. If they had to play a P5 sched, injuries and other factors take a greater toll on them than what they currently face. Getting up for ND that was not nearly the same team it is today doesn't buy them as much with me as it does with the pollsters.
One thing for sure, all the talking heads say of the top 10 only Notre Dame has no chance of making the final four even if they win out and finish 11-1. I'm pretty sure they are right, and that's ok we are a good team but not really Championship caliber this year. I do of course want to finish 11-1 and hopefully even get a bowl win!
At 11-1 Notre Dame should get.in before a 2 loss team. Now, should they get in ahead of an undefeated Cincinnati?
No if Cincy runs the table and so do the Irish, the Bearcats beat us fair and square at our place and it would be a travesty to ignore that and let the Irish in that 4th slot. Bottom line is I think a lot would have to happen for the Irish to get that 4th slot. But it's not impossible. I'll leave it to Kes to figure out the various scenarios that would result in ND at #4.
P J Fleck ...getting an extension! Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck has agreed to a new seven-year contract that will keep him with the Golden Gophers through the 2028 season, it was announced Wednesday. The agreement between the university and Fleck, who is eight games into his fifth season as the Gophers' head coach, is pending approval from the board of regents. "This is home," Fleck said in a statement. "Our family loves it here and we are excited to continue this journey at the University of Minnesota. From day one, we talked about cultural sustainability and how important it is to building a successful football program and life program. Today is another step in that process, and this new contract is a commitment to our elite staff and the entire state of Minnesota."
This version of Notre Dame is in many ways similar to the undefeated team of 2012 (?). If we can go 11-1 that would be great but the product does not look as good as the wrapper. In out heart of hearts we know we are not a playoff team this year. Like that 12-0 team when they ran into Bama.
I loved that team, I really liked Manti' Te'o..he had such a great year and it's just too bad that he was suckered by that Catfishing Scheme. But I was at that Stanford game where we had the incredible goal line stand to win the game, it was a miserable cold rainy day in the stands at Notre Dame Stadium. But it was worth it since we won! Ended with a thud though when the Te'o thing blew up and Bama stomped us.