Ohio State Football: 4th and Short, questions following Week 5

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with Johnnie Dixon #1 after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 29, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with Johnnie Dixon #1 after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 29, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Urban Meyer head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes react to a play in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Urban Meyer head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes react to a play in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Q: [I]f the Big Ten, Big XII, SEC, ACC champ[ions] [and] [Notre] Dame all go undefeated, who makes the [playoff?]

A: In the unlikely event there are five undefeated major college football teams come Selection Sunday, the committee will have quite the decision on their hands. In my eyes, the answer is twofold, however.

If Clemson continues to look shaky and just squeaks by in the weak ACC, and Notre Dame dominates everyone remaining on their schedule like they are supposed to from here on out, Notre Dame will clinch a berth in the playoff.

The Fighting Irish’s body of work will be much stronger as it will boast wins over Michigan, Stanford, Virginia Tech, and USC. Key wins as such will bolster Notre Dame above Clemson. The Tigers will only hold wins over Texas A&M, who will likely have 4 losses, Boston College and a Florida State team who has not been that impressive.

Their lone marquee victory would be over Miami, and quite frankly the Hurricanes have not looked the part either.

Now if Clemson starts getting it together and rolling teams, the playoff picture will end up how I have it below. I truly believe the ACC’s hopes of a representative in the College Football Playoff are Clemson or bust.

  1. Alabama
  2. Ohio State
  3. Oklahoma
  4. a. Clemson / Notre Dame