https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-rankings-alabama-opens-at-no-1-with-clemson-lsu-notre-dame-in/ SEC has 5 teams in the top 11 including two in the top 4 and Florida with two losses at number 11.
I don't see this poll as the lest meaningful by any means. It pretty well defines the teams that might make the playoffs. As for the SEC, Alabama, LSU, Georgia are still in the running with Kentucky as a long shot. Any of the first three that win the SEC will be in the playoff. Notre Dame and Clemson are locks if they win out. It looks to me like the 4th spot is between Michigan and Oklahoma. Michigan if the beat Ohio State and win out and Oklahoma if Ohio State beats Michigan and Oklahoma wins the Big 12. It gets more murky if neither Michigan or Oklahoma win out. As to my Gators I just want them to win out, finish 10-2 and be in the top 10. Look out for us down the road as Mullen continues to bring us back. I have total faith in him at this point.
It's the starting point and there will be a different top 4 after this weekend as either Alabama or LSU will drop out for sure. The only one of course that means anything is the last one.
I agree Terry that the last one is the only one that really counts. But I do think the current rankings pretty well lays out who still has a chance. My prediction is pretty much what I stated above. Alabama Clemson Notre Dame Michigan In that order with another Alabama - Clemson rematch the most likely final. But a lot of things could change that, not the least of which Michigan has yet to show they can beat Ohio State.
If Bama were to lose a very close game in Baton Rouge I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tide at #4 in the next playoff rankings.
I do think that like the regular polls that some routinely complain about, it's just a snapshot of the current situation. It's going to change. I'm glad we have polls that come out before the season, sure they get things wrong as the season moves along but it's something to talk about and I wouldn't like it if the first poll wasn't until Oct 1. I do think the CFP poll is right where it needs to be at the end of October though, for it's first poll.
Bama losing a close game to LSU could sit up a situation like last year where Bama gets the 4th spot. However I don't see that happening this season.
Bill, I agree. Politically, i.don't see Alabama getting in again if we don't at least win the SEC West and maybe the SEC.
I agree KP. Politically it is not likely to happen. But I don't see any SEC team derailing them this year.
Personally, I think it'll require a blow torch, a crowbar and a total collapse to keep Alabama out of the playoffs. There's already precedent set here. Once you've let Alabama in when they didn't win their division or conference, yet they won the title, it will become something they use going forward. I'd be shocked to see Alabama not in the playoffs even with a loss.
We can get in with a loss but I think we have to get to the SEC Championship game. In all likelihood that means we have to beat LSU. Then we can lose.one of.our last 3 games and come out on top of the SEC West.
After the Auburn loss Alabama fell out of the top 4. Week 14 1. Clemson 2. Auburn 3. OU 4. Wisconsin 5. Bama 6. UGA But the next week Auburn lost, and Wisconsin lost, that allowed both Georgia and Alabama to get back in the top 4. Ohio State beat Wisconsin but they were a 2 loss team, and Georgia beat Auburn in the rematch in the SECCG. So if Alabama loses to LSU Sat night, and Clemson, ND, and Michigan win...I won't be surprised at all if the top 4 are Clemson, LSU, ND and Michigan. With Alabama at #5. If the top 4 then win out then I don't think Alabama makes the playoff. If ND, LSU, Michigan don't win out then I'd think Alabama could get back in, which is what happened last year.
Chances are Terry that not all 4 of those teams would win out.... One slip by LSU, ND, Clemson or Mi. and Bama goes in. But if they did all win out then Bama indeed could be outside looking in. So it may not matter too much to jaded Bama fans but I would say winning the SEC this year is pretty damned important! :wink:
Bama winning the SEC Championship is important as it winning the B1G, B12, Pac12 and ACC. It's gives you credible reason to be included. It's not the only reason. If LSU doesn't win out and loses to somebody (A&M) then Bama is back in the SEC Champ game, winning that and having 1 loss no doubt would put them back in the game. A lot can happen, it's going to be tough for the Irish to win out...not so much because we're playing top 5 teams..we aren't, but our injuries are mounting and we don't have Alabama type of depth. So I could see us losing. I don't think a 1 loss ND gets in over any 1 loss Conf Champ. So Wash State or OU if they win out would probably jump ND with the "13th" data point.
Here's a chart of current playoff chances. They think it will likely be Clemson, Bama, ND and OU. OK ..but their numbers are weird. Right now they only give Bama a 64% chance to win the SEC, and only 51% chance of winning out? I think kp must have given them some inside on Alabama to counter the Rat Poison? https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-college-football-predictions/?ex_cid=rrpromo
Current Vegas odds for CFP Bama -8.5 vs Clemson Bama -14 vs Mich Bama -20.5 vs ND Bama -13.5 vs UGA for SEC Title game
There are Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics. This is the FPI, Football Power Index that ESPN has, it's different from their Power Rankings which are similar to the AP/Coaches/Committee. This is stats based. So they come up with the usual Alabama Clemson Then it gets a little wonky UGA Michigan OU Ohio State Now wonkier.. Penn State loser by 42-7 at UM Notre Dame still undefeated at 9-0. http://www.espn.com/college-football/statistics/teamratings