The first college football playoff rankings are in for the first time in 2018. There were mostly very obvious picks, especially with the top four rankings. However within the top four picks, there were close decisions where the top four would go in which position. Let me go ahead and get the obvious out of the way.
The Top Four
The most obvious is Alabama at #1. Of course they were going #1. This Alabama squad have dominated their competition throughout the season behind their dual quarterback offense with Hurts and Tagovailoa taking the snaps behind center.
And you have #2 Clemson who has also dominated their competition this year, except for their game against Syracuse in which they came from behind to win.
You have #3 LSU, who which have surprised a lot of people this year with their play. LSU probably has the toughest strength of schedule out of the top four teams.
Notre Dame comes in at #4. The Irish have been dominate as well this year. When they made the switch at quarterback with Ian Book. Their schedule looked very tough at the beginning of the season, however with Stanford , USC, and Virginia Tech under-performing this year, their strength of schedule was not looking so tough. Notre Dame only has one team to play that is ranked and that is #19 Syracuse.
…And Everyone Else
Let us take a look at all of the top 25:
- Alabama (8-0)
- Clemson (8-0)
- LSU (7-1)
- Notre Dame (8-0)
- Michigan (7-1)
- Georgia(7-1)
- Oklahoma(7-1)
- Washington State(7-1)
- Kentucky(7-1)
- Ohio State(7-1)
- Florida (6-2)
- UCF(7-0)
- West Virginia(6-1)
- Penn State(6-2)
- Utah(6-2)
- Iowa(6-2)
- Texas6-2)
- Mississippi State5-3)
- Syracuse(6-2)
- Texas A&M(5-3)
- NC State(5-2)
- Boston College(6-2)
- Fresno State(7-1)
- Iowa State(4-3)
- Virginia(6-2)
PAC 12
The PAC 12, got some respect with a #8 ranking of Washington State. So according to the Playoff Committee, the PAC 12 is not dead. The Cougars have some hope to make it into the top 4 by seasons end with just 1 loss to their season. If the cougars make it to 12-1, there is a chance they will make it, but they are going to need some help from the 7 teams ahead of them.
The UCF Knights
UCF ranks in at #12, making them the highest ranked team outside a non power 5 school. The Memphis Tigers previously held that record back in 2015 at #13. The Knights are getting attention this year with their current winning streak and their margin of victory rather than their strength of schedule. UCF has the weakest schedule out of all of the current ranked teams, which does go against them.
If there is any chance UCF will make the top 4, every team ranked higher than them has to have a tremendous collapse, which more than likely will not happen. Sorry UCF, I know you believe you belong but I cannot see it happening for you this year.
The University of Kentucky
One surprising thing that has come out of the rankings is the appearance of the Kentucky Wildcats at #9. I am not saying they are not worthy of an appearance. They have certainly played great football this year. It is just surprising to see the Wildcats not being a pushover in the SEC anymore. They are a team to take seriously. Yes, take the Wildcats seriously.
The Big Games
This is that time of the year where heartache, drama, and shake ups are going to start happening. Starting this weekend, there is going to be a shake up within the top four. We have a match-up between #1 Alabama and #3 LSU. With this game, we could see an upset by LSU. LSU will be the biggest threat to the Tide’s regular season, but certainly should not hurt their Playoff hopes. Whoever loses this game should not drop so much in the rankings.
Let us not forget about #14 Penn State vs. #5 Michigan. It’s not just an important game for the Big 10, this game certainly has playoff implications written all over it. Penn State has continued to succeed without Saquon Barkley and Michigan and Coach Harbaugh are clicking on all cylinders. This should be a very competitive game.
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