Tony Barnhart
By Tony Barnhart
There were very few changes when the College Football Playoff selection committee released its fourth set of rankings Tuesday night.
But this much we do know: There are still a lot of unanswered questions as we head into the last Saturday of the regular season.
Specifically:
--Big Ten representatives Ohio State (11-0) and Indiana (11-0) continue to hold on to the top two spots. A third Big Ten team, Oregon (10-1), is at No. 6. But that’s it for the Big Ten. There is an outside shot that No.15 Michigan (9-2) could sneak in the back door if the Wolverines upset No. 1 Ohio State in Ann Arbor.
--Once again, the SEC posted five of the Top 10 teams in the rankings: No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Georgia, No. 7 Ole Miss, No. 8 Oklahoma, and No. 10 Alabama.
All five teams are playing big rivalry games this weekend where wins would give each an almost-certain spot in the 12-team College Football Playoffs.
It looks like No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 16 Texas, and No. 17 Tennessee will be on the outside looking in.
--One of the question marks that will linger this week is why No. 12 Miami (9-2) continues to be ranked behind No. 9 Notre Dame (9-2). The two teams faced one another in the season opener, with Miami winning, 24-21. Notre Dame opened the season with losses to Miami and No. 3 Texas A&M, 41-40. Since then the Fighting Irish have been unstoppable. Notre Dame made its point last Saturday when it beat hapless Syracuse, 70-7.
Notre Dame closes out the regular season by going to Stanford (4-7) and because the Irish do not belong to a conference, they will be done. Will it be enough? Stay tuned.
--Who is going to represent the ACC? Right now Miami is the highest-ranked ACC team by the committee. But the guaranteed ACC bid goes to the conference champion, which will likely be No. 18 Virginia (9-2) or No. 21 SMU (9-2).
SO WHAT’S LEFT?
Remaining schedule for the Top 12 teams.
1. Ohio State (11-0) Saturday at Michigan
2. Indiana (11-0): Friday at Purdue
3.Texas A&M (11-0): Friday at Texas
4. Georgia (10-1): Friday at Georgia Tech
5. Texas Tech (10-1): Saturday at West Virginia
6. Oregon (10-1): Saturday at Washington
7. Ole Miss (10-1): Friday at Miss. State
8. Oklahoma (9-2): Saturday vs. LSU
9. Notre Dame (9-2): Saturday at Stanford
10. Alabama (9-2): Saturday at Auburn
11. BYU (10-1): Saturday vs. UCF
12. Miami (9-2): Saturday at Pitt
The final selections by the committee will be on Sunday, Dec. 6.
If the selections were made on Tuesday, here is a breakdown of the 12-team College football Playoff field
SEC (5): Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma
Big Ten (3): Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
ACC: Virginia or SMU or Miami
Big 12: Texas Tech
Independent: Notre Dame
Group of Five: Tulane
Remember that the top five highest-rated conference champions get automatic bids into the field of 12. Tulane of the American Conference was the only Group of Five team ranked on Tuesday night.
PROJECTED BRACKET
No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 3 Texas A&M, and No. 4 Georgia receive first-round byes.
FIRST ROUND
No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Texas Tech
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma
No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Oregon
No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Ole Miss
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