Predicting the College Football Playoff Committee’s Fourth Ranking

How will the College Football Playoff rankings shape up this week?

A win is a win.  That’s what Ohio State and Michigan are saying after closer than expected victories over Michigan State and Indiana. Will the Playoff Committee see it the same way?

I am not buying that the Spartans and Hoosiers are any good.  No doubt the weather conditions were bad, but the reality is both the Buckeyes and Wolverines played poorly heading into college football’s greatest rivalry game.

Will Ohio State and Michigan stay in the Top Four when the College Football Playoff Committee announces it fourth ranking on November 22 at 7:00 PM on ESPN’s College Football Playoff:  Top 25 show?

For the Buckeyes, it is shocking that an offense that found its rhythm over the last two weeks suddenly went Tressel-like again.  I thought I was watching the 2003 Fiesta Bowl as the offense frequently allowed the play clock to tick to less than five seconds before snapping the ball into obvious plays. The unit did the same thing throughout October when it struggled.

The Buckeyes greatest asset is their speed and yet they failed to utilize it against the Spartans’ clear weakness, lack of depth. Not sure why the staff is game planning the way they are, but Ohio State will lose next week if it continues.

Looking beyond the offense, what in the world is going on with the special teams?  Fielding punts inside the 10-yard line, fumbling the ball, kickoffs sailing out of bounds and allowing a fake punt conversion?

Urban Meyer preaches Nine Units strong, how about 10 units including coaching because this unit has been a disaster way too often this year.

For Michigan, John O’Korn struggled in the wind and snow but the defense and running game were enough to dispatch the Hoosiers.

Regardless, ‘The Game’ is this week and what we expected in August is mostly true right now.  Ohio State and Michigan are both on top in the East, but only the Wolverines control their own fate.

Ohio State may need a little help from Michigan State next week to make it to the Big Ten Football Championship.

The bigger question is whether or not a win over Michigan coupled with not making it to the championship game will be enough for the Committee.  The Buckeyes will have the resume, but not the hardware.

The Nittany Lions blasted Rutgers 39-0 and get Michigan State at home next week.  The Spartans put up a great fight against the Buckeyes.  Can they pull the upset in Happy Valley?

I think their tank is on empty after laying everything on the field against Ohio State, but Dantonio’s team has pride.  They’ll come to play and maybe he can throw his old employer a bone.

The Badgers dismantled Purdue 49-20 setting up a showdown with Minnesota next Saturday in Madison to win the Big Ten West and capture the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

The Golden Gophers probably played their best game of the year beating Northwestern 29-12, but they are too one-dimensional to give Wisconsin’s stout defense any trouble.  It won’t be a high scoring game, but the Badgers win and make it back to the Big Ten Championship.

Each week, I will predict where the Playoff Committee places the Top 10 teams.  This week is little less challenging than last but there will still be some movement.  Here we go:

Alabama

Record:

11-0

Significant Wins:

USC

Remaining schedule:

Home against Auburn.  SEC Championship Game.

Prediction:

Seriously Alabama?  14-3 at halftime against Chattanooga?  The Crimson Tide mailed it in for the bye week before the Iron Bowl looking sloppy in its 31-3 win over the Mocs.  They’ll be dialed in next week, and Florida will not beat them in the SEC Championship Game.

Clemson will almost certainly move up to number 2 this week, but where will Ohio State and Michigan be ranked?