Some fun but realistic scenarios to consider while we're on a bye.
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The foregone scenario for us getting in is to win out. Alabama beating LSU is also big because if LSU somehow wins that matchup, I can see the committee wanting to keep Alabama in as No. 4. But assuming 'Bama and Michigan win out, We're almost certainly looking at some combination of Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Michigan going to the playoff.
Right?
I guess I'm trying to get a consensus as to how far back Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia are from us. If Texas and Oklahoma have their rematch at the Big 12 Championship Game, is the winner in? If Florida -- or more likely Georgia -- can beat 'Bama in the SEC Championship game, can we see two SEC teams in the CFP?
But even if one of those things happen and a team behind us gets in, why should that mean we're the ones who are out?
Yes, Notre Dame is the team that beat us and they are indeed still undefeated, but could our strength of schedule and the fact that the loss was way back in Week 1 and we are -- in most peoples opinion -- a far better team than we were back then, vault us to No. 3? I could see us at No. 4, and have the committee flip our spots after winning the B1G Championship while ND sits at home on a Bye.
But would an undefeated Notre Dame really be excluded in lieu of a combination of 4 or the Power 5 champions? I'm not so sure.
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The foregone scenario for us getting in is to win out. Alabama beating LSU is also big because if LSU somehow wins that matchup, I can see the committee wanting to keep Alabama in as No. 4. But assuming 'Bama and Michigan win out, We're almost certainly looking at some combination of Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Michigan going to the playoff.
Right?
I guess I'm trying to get a consensus as to how far back Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia are from us. If Texas and Oklahoma have their rematch at the Big 12 Championship Game, is the winner in? If Florida -- or more likely Georgia -- can beat 'Bama in the SEC Championship game, can we see two SEC teams in the CFP?
But even if one of those things happen and a team behind us gets in, why should that mean we're the ones who are out?
Yes, Notre Dame is the team that beat us and they are indeed still undefeated, but could our strength of schedule and the fact that the loss was way back in Week 1 and we are -- in most peoples opinion -- a far better team than we were back then, vault us to No. 3? I could see us at No. 4, and have the committee flip our spots after winning the B1G Championship while ND sits at home on a Bye.
But would an undefeated Notre Dame really be excluded in lieu of a combination of 4 or the Power 5 champions? I'm not so sure.
