First CFP Poll

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Nov 2, 2016, 9:53 AM

First CFP Poll

I know I should not look ahead and I should be more concerned about Syracuse, but below is a look at last night's playoff rankings and the teams Clemson is competing against for spots and seeding the playoff. Clemson fans will have one eye on the potential opponents in Glendale/ Atlanta and potentially Tampa.

1. Alabama

Record:8-0

Wins:Southern Cal, Western Kentucky, @Ole Miss, Kent State, Kentucky, @Arkansas, @ Tennessee, Texas A&M

Losses:None

Remaining Games:@LSU, Miss State, Chattanooga, Auburn

Notes:My guess is the eye test is the reason Alabama is number one this week because the schedule has not been great. Bama has beaten one team ranked in the first college football playoff poll. The Crimson Tide has @LSU (13) and Auburn (9) remaining, so their strength of schedule should improve. The real question from me concerns if the Tide can lose a game in the regular season and still get in the playoff?

2. Clemson

Record:8-0

Wins:@Auburn, Troy, SC State, @Georgia Tech, Louisville, @Boston College, NC State, @FSU

Losses:None

Remaining Games:Syracuse, Pittsburgh, @Wake Forest, South Carolina

Notes:Clemson's strength of schedule is a key to the Tigers being number two. Wins @Auburn (9), Louisville (7) and @FSU (22) give the Tigers credibility. Clemson will be heavy favorites in the final four regular season games, but what happens if it drops a game?

3. Michigan

Record:8-0

Wins:Hawaii, UCF, Colorado, Penn State, Wisconsin, @Rutgers, Illinois, @Michigan State

Losses:None

Remaining Games:Maryland, @Iowa, Indiana, @Ohio State

Notes:Michigan has wins over Penn State (12), Wisconsin (8) and Colorado (15), however those were among eight home games this year. Obviously, the rivalry game at Ohio State (6) looms.

4. Texas A&M

Record:7-1

Wins:UCLA, Prairie View, @Auburn, Arkansas, @South Carolina, Tennessee, New Mexico State

Losses:@Alabama

Remaining Games:@Mississippi State, Ole Miss, UTSA, LSU

Notes:This is the big shocker. A one-loss Aggie team is ranked ahead of an undefeated Washington team. Strength of schedule was mentioned, but A&M has only one win over a top 25 team, the same number Washington has.

5. Washington

Record:8-0

Wins:Rutgers, Idaho, Portland State, @Arizona, Stanford, @Oregon, Oregon State, @Utah

Losses:None

Remaining Games:@Cal, USC, Arizona State, @Washington State

Notes:Washington passes the eye test, but a weak non-conference schedule hurt. My guess is an undefeated Pac-12 champion gets in, but what happens if Washington is a one-loss Pac-12 champ?

6. Ohio State

Record:7-1

Wins:Bowling Green, Tulsa, @Oklahoma, Rutgers, Indiana, @Wisconsin, Northwestern

Losses:Penn State

Remaining Games:Nebraska, @Maryland, @Michigan State, Michigan

Notes:I was slightly surprised to see the Buckeyes ahead of Louisville. Their schedule has included wins @Oklahoma (14) and @Wisconsin (8). The remaining schedule gives Ohio State a great opportunity to jump others if they can defeat Nebraska (10) and Michigan (3).

7. Louisville

Record:7-1

Wins:Charlotte, @Syracuse, Florida State, @Marshall, Duke, NC State, @Virginia

Losses:@Clemson

Remaining Games:@Boston College, Wake Forest, @Houston, Kentucky

Notes:This was bad news for Louisville. The Cardinals looked better than anyone in September, but have struggled in October with close wins against Duke and @Virginia. It is difficult to see a path for Louisville to get into the top four considering the remaining schedule.

8. Wisconsin

Record:6-2

Wins:LSU, Akron, Georgia State, @Michigan State, @Iowa, Nebraska

Losses:@Michigan, Ohio State

Remaining Games:@Northwestern, Illinois, @Purdue, Minnesota

Notes:The wins over LSU(13) and Nebraska (10) help, but Nebraska could drop with a tough remaining schedule. It is clear the Badgers will need to win out and beat Ohio State or Michigan in a revenge game in the Big 10 title game. They could become the first two-loss playoff team.

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