The selection committee has handed down another fresh set of rankings from on high. Let’s eat it up.
No. 1 Mississippi State
So far, the Bulldogs have hung on to the top stop with a perfect record in America’s hardest division. However, a 2:30 p.m. date with Alabama Saturday will be the toughest test they’ve faced all year.
MSU hasn’t looked unstoppable by any stretch. Close games against Kentucky and Arkansas have shaken confidence, but a win next week would clear any doubt that this team is the best in the land. Despite the questionable performances, this team is still undefeated and senior quarterback Dak Prescott is still in the driver seat for the Heisman. Next Saturday will be the big reveal for the Bulldogs, on the road in Tuscaloosa.
No. 2 Oregon
WOAH, welcome to the Top 2, Ducks! I must say, I certainly didn’t see a one-loss team jumping an undefeated team this early into the rankings, but it’s a new era in college football where Lord Chaos has staked his claim. The selection committee is making a few statements with this selection.
First, it’s about how you’re playing right now. Oregon dismantled Utah on the road Saturday night. Watching that game, it didn’t matter they played like crap and dropped a game to Arizona. Since the loss, the Ducks clobbered two ranked teams on the road, demolishing Utah and old foe Stanford.
Next, the records don’t matter, quality wins do. Oregon has beaten three ranked opponents this year: Michigan State, UCLA and now Utah. Mississippi State has beaten three: LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M. The Noles, two: Notre Dame and Clemson. Let’s get to the boys from Tallahassee.
No. 3 Florida State
Florida State continues to simply not lose. They have three games left on the schedule: Miami, Boston College and Florida. Win out and they’ll potentially Duke it out again in an ACC championship game and walk into the playoff.
At first glance it was jarring to see Oregon jump the Noles, but thinking about it, if these teams met right now Oregon would easily be a touchdown favorite. Florida State’s best win is at home over Notre Dame; the Irish got obliterated by Arizona State last week. Not to mention, depending on how you view the officiating, the Irish should have beaten the Noles.
Also, I think the nation is simply bored of FSU winning. What else am I supposed to say about this team. They won, they’re good, Jameis is good, Jimbo Fisher is good, the ACC is weak, see ya next week.
No. 4 TCU
And now things get even weirder! I love the selection committee. Based off a tie break, TCU isn’t even going to win its conference, but they’re projected to sit in the Holy Four Jan. 1. This TCU team is for real. Their offense is off the charts and their defense can get stops when it needs to. They’ve won back-to-back games against ranked teams, and had K-State beaten 41-14 until a garbage-time touchdown.
But back to the TCU-Baylor debate. This was one of the better games of the season. Baylor scored 21 unanswered to win at home, but when you look at the whole body of work, TCU clearly looks to be the better team. It’s really exciting to see the selection committee relying on the eye test and using human conversation to determine the best teams in the country. Yes, I’m sure Alabama feels screwed at No. 5, but they can change their fortunes very quickly next week.
