The only way for #4 not to be a big controversy would be for Baylor to run the table and we end up with 4 unbeaten, Power 5 Conference Champions. I don't think that's happening though.
Auburn is definitely in position to be the SEC spoiler.... making it a one CFP entry year for the conference. LSU could make it zero SEC teams by losing to Ga in Atlanta... wouldn't that be something. If Auburn beats Ga and Bama and then the dawgs manage to beat LSU then no SEC teams invited unless LSU gets invited even though losing the SEC Title game. My guess though is Bama manages to beat Auburn by a whisker and LSU beats Georgia. Thus opening up a 2 SEC entry possibility.
I do think a 1 loss LSU team would be in the hunt for the top of the 1 loss group. 5 games v top 10 (at the time) teams and 4-1 record is a heck of a resume.
I think a 1 loss LSU team is a much different argument than a 1 loss Alabama team. LSU would have a series of quality wins. Alabama would have a lone quality win vs 3 or 4 loss Auburn. There's still lots of football to be played here though so there's no point in getting too worked up just yet.
Haha yeah. I've said here before that I don't think Alabama is a championship caliber team. I guess you just cant take yes for an answer.
If anyone can screw this up, it's LSU. We'll see how far Coach O has really brought this program down the stretch.
Lots of talk/speculation on the committee rankings tonight...not in the top 4 I think everybody will be shocked if it's not LSU,Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia. A lot think the committee will keep Alabama at 5 right now and not penalize them for the loss of Tua. In Basketball the committee absolutely does that all the time.
With the Alabama defense not being very good and now our offense possibly not being as explosive, I am pretty sure we will drop. This weekend will not show anyone anything and if we were to beat Auburn decisively, I don't think it would be enough. I think this will be the first CFP without Alabama in the top 4. Pretty good run. I think our defense will be back next year and hopefully, we will return to the top rung.
So the committee kept Alabama in 5th place. I saw the explanation is that even without Tua the Tide had a significant win over Miss State. I don't really have a problem with that right now, but without Tua the Tide only scored 3 points. The really tough job for the Committee will be if Georgia beats LSU, that would mean the LSU would have played 5 top 10 teams (at the time of the game) and beaten 4 of them. Who has a stronger resume' than that? Nobody. So 1 loss Pac 12 Conf Champion vs 1 loss Conference Championship game loser. The whole 2 SEC teams issue. I guess if Georgia beats LSU by a big margin, it would tip the scales to the Pac 12, but if it's a really close game....
Are you considering any scenarios that put LSU in over UGA even after UGA beats LSU in the SECCG? So far, all the talk is about two SEC teams and/or the scenarios in which the loser isn't allotted the second SEC slot. The response to a decision to take a losing LSU over the winning UGA would DEFINITELY be worth the price of admission.
I was listening to Mark Packer on ESPNU last night on the way home from work and a SEC fan called in and was talking about why there needs to be 2 SEC teams. He went on and on about how Auburn had already beaten Oregon and that they would beat Utah as well, so how could either of those teams be considered for the CFP when they couldn't even beat the likely 5th best team in the SEC.
my favorite local talking point, while listening to what a second rate program Utah is, would be to remind them of what happened the last time the two teams met.
Georgia looks to be a one loss team..... LSU no losses going to Atlanta. An LSU win over Ga. puts at least one SEC team in the top 4.... and possibly two if Bama puts on a good show vs. Auburn. A Georgia win puts the Dawgs in and possibly LSU..... but no Bama because LSU beat the Tide.
I agree with MCG's post above. Scratch Oregon, Utah moves into contention, along with Oklahoma. Georgia needs to beat LSU to make it, LSU could get number 4 with a loss. Alabama needs a LSU win to be in contention. I think that Utah and Oklahoma both have strong cases if they win out. Both would be conference champs and that could well trump Alabama. We will Know in two weeks. I predict LSU, Ohio State and Clemson remain unbeaten and make it as 1, 2 and 3. Number 4 will likely be controversial.
As much as it pains me to say it, I am not sure Alabama is one of the 4 best teams in the country this year. I am worried about Auburn.