Wisconsin is favored by four points in Las Vegas this morning. No surprise with Ohio State being forced to play our third string QB. Cardale Jones is a huge physical specimen at 6'5"and 250 lbs. He is very mobile for a big man, has a rocket arm for deep throws, but hardly any game experience. Not an ideal situation for the Buckeyes by any means. Urban says he will get a lot of reps this week. Heck, we do not have anyone else to play. I see a fan poll on CBS this mornings says we should not be even considered for a top four playoff positin without J. T. Barrett. Sky box thoughts on that one? Only serious replies will be considered! :lol:
Meyer is one of the top two coaches for a reason. He can adapt. He has been been playing shorthanded and inexperienced since he arrived in Columbus with great results. The Buckeyes have to control Wisconsin on the ground and sustain some long drives. You know who I'm rooting for!
Beat Wisconsin and I wouldn't be be surprised if you jump to #4....lose and you won't. I don't think not having Barrett will be a factor unless you lose or look really bad in a win. Of course both TCU and Baylor have games left, it's unlikely that TCU will lose to Iowa State but Baylor has a top 10 ranked opponent in KState.
Tough task for Urban. He has to have Jones look like he can be competitive at the championship level with only one week of prep. Hell, Barrett wasn't ready in his first game and we know his upside. The Bucks want to stay out of 3rd and long (doesn't everybody?) because the Badgers will be doing every thing that they can to come at Jones. The OSU O line will have to be at it's best to control the ball on the ground.
LOL... not considered? That's ridiculous with one game left. The committee will get all the info they need from that champ game. Win it, and you will certainly be considered. Lose and you won't. The formula hasn't changed, just the kid behind center...
I saw an article on ESPN and they speculated that if Baylor wins against a top 10 rated Kansas State they will likely jump into the 4th slot in the end. But that Ohio State will have their chance to state their case...win and you have a great chance. I'll bet that the top 7 who are currently assumed to be the group out of which the Final Four comes...will not go undefeated. There will be at least 1 upset.
The qb situation at Ohio State should not figure in the decision of who is in the final 4. If OSU wins they should be considered just like all of the other one loss teams. 8)
...and if Missouri beats Bama and Zona beats Oregon for the THIRD time in a row... What then? http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2014/11/arizona-football-to-go-duck-hunting-in-california
Back to the topic, If Jones can gain some confidence in the early going, and our defense can slow down Gordon, we may have a chance. My confidence points on this one will not be too high.
Well with the new rankings putting TCU at #3, it does seem like if they beat Iowa State in their final game they will be in the final 4. If the current top 4 win their final games it's highly unlikely there are any changes. Except.... Bad wins by any of them, while Ohio State or Baylor just blow away their opponents could allow either to jump into the top 4. Although I can not see FSU, bad win, terrible win, lucky win, or any other kind of win not making the final 4. Undefeated Power 5 Conference winner not in the Final 4...would be a mockery. If TCU barely gets by Iowa State while either Ohio State or Baylor blow out their opponents who are top 25 I think TCU will slip out. I think the same would happen to Oregon or even Alabama. Bottom line is that Ohio State and Baylor both need to look very impressive in winning on Sat to jump one of the top 4. Very impressive.
Pat Forde: Using the Sagarin ratings for comparison, here's what we have between the lordly Buckeyes and the up-and-coming Bears: Best win for Baylor: No. 3 TCU. Best win for Ohio State: No. 10 Michigan State. Second-best win for Baylor: No. 9 Oklahoma. Second-best win for Ohio State: No. 34 Minnesota. Third-best win for Baylor: No. 38 Texas. Third-best win for Ohio State: No. 46 Maryland. Loss for Baylor: No. 28 West Virginia. Loss for Ohio State: No. 50 Virginia Tech. Advantage Baylor across the board. Yet somehow, the committee doesn't see that.
Terry, I am in agreement with your analysis! Anxiously awaiting Cardale's performance. (I think?) :roll:
Terry, are those rankings current or at the time they played? If current, how can Oklahoma be ranked #9? I haven't seen the CFP rankings beyond the top 6, but I didn't think OK was having that good a year.
Sid I copied that right from Pat Forde's column and current rankings are OU #20..he probably was playing fast and loose with the numbers as I don't think TCU was #3 when they played them either. edit: Wait those are Sagrin Rankings. That's why they don't matchup. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/
Re: Sagarin. That makes sense. OK's schedule strength would put them higher. Interesting that Sagarin has FSU ranked #17.