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Ohio State Football: CFP for OSU and OU but not ND?

By Blake Biscardi

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the crowd as time winds down in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan 62-39. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the crowd as time winds down in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan 62-39. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 20: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks for an open receiver against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 20: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks for an open receiver against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

When the committee releases their latest edition of the rankings tonight, I will be very curious to see what exactly the committee says about ND, UGA, OU, and OSU. I believe they will be ranked in the aforementioned order and be identified as “very close” or even in a “cluster.”

In doing so, it alleviates a portion of the uproar in which the committee cannot avoid if the favorites take care of business this weekend. This will provide a way where the committee can “justify” leaving No. 1 Alabama in if they were to somehow lose to Georgia in a close game.

Another reason would be potentially dropping Notre Dame from No. 3 to No. 5 on Sunday like they did to TCU when they went from No. 3 to No. 6 in 2014. Ranking Notre Dame at No. 5 would then put both Oklahoma and Ohio State into the playoff.

The committee would have Alabama and Clemson at No. 1 and 2, respectively and Oklahoma at No. 3. The Sooners have been beloved by the committee because of Kyler Murray and their “dynamic offense.”

Honestly, who does not love seeing Murray in action as he is a special athlete, but there is a defensive deficiency in his conference, the Big 12.

What would Murray and the offense be able to do against a top-tier defense? Is the Oklahoma offense as good as advertised or are the statistics inflated because of the conference in which they play? The Sooners’ defense, or lack thereof, also presents a major cause for concern in the eyes of the committee. But is it enough to keep them out of the playoff?

It is likely for one to believe Oklahoma will be in based on the way they have been viewed thus far. Everyone loves the Sooners’ offense and has given a free pass to a defense that has given up 40+ points in four straight games, including 50+ against West Virginia last Friday night.

Now the debate will be between Ohio State and Notre Dame for the final spot. Notre Dame versus a Big Ten team again?

Yes, but this time Notre Dame does not possess the head to head win. The Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish will be close in both resume and eye test. Common opponents, conference championships, resumes, and the eye test would all have to be evaluated under this scenario.

Let’s look at the common opponent of Ohio State and Notre Dame.

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