Ohio State Football: CFP race setting up to be an exciting one
The Ohio State football team is once again No. 1 and this week’s CFP rankings ensure the race to the playoff will be exciting.
Ohio State played a sloppy game last Saturday but still won by 11 points and jumped LSU for the top spot in this week’s CFP rankings. Clemson is still No. 3 and the next six spots are held by one loss teams which will make the race to the playoff an exciting one.
Most of the top nine teams will face ranked opponents this week and / or in a conference championship game. Before looking at their challenges / opportunities let’s look at the Top 25 in this week’s CFP rankings.
- Ohio State
- LSU
- Clemson
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Utah
- Oklahoma
- Minnesota
- Baylor
- Penn State
- Florida
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Oregon
- Auburn
- Notre Dame
- Iowa
- Memphis
- Cincinnati
- Boise State
- Oklahoma State
- USC
- Iowa State
- Virginia Tech
- Appalachian State
Now for fun scenarios among CFP contenders:
- Ohio State has to travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan in ‘The Game’. and then take on Minnesota or Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game
- LSU will take on unranked Texas A&M Saturday and then face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Fans of one loss teams hope the Tigers will finish 13-0 or the SEC will probably have two teams in the Final Four.
- The Clemson Tigers will make the playoff unless they stumble against South Carolina Saturday or in the ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech or Virginia.
- Georgia faces in-state rival Georgia Tech and must win out.
- Alabama must have a statement win over Auburn or may be passed by a conference champion.
- Utah faces Colorado Saturday and an opponent to be determined for the Pac-12 Championship.
- Oklahoma plays Oklahoma State Saturday and Baylor travels to Kansas. If both teams take care of business the winner of the Big 12 Championship Game will at least be considered to be in the Final Four.
- If the Minnesota Gophers defeat Wisconsin Saturday and Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game they will be in the playoff.
Next. Beating Michigan matters, even when it doesn't. dark
I don’t know why fans are always clamoring for an expanded playoff, the next two weeks with nine teams battling to make the CFP will be as exciting as it gets. That’s what makes college football so special.