Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma won 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Playoff Poll Should See Little Change at the Top

The College Football Playoff picture is finally starting to take shape.

The Top Four teams in last weeks playoff rankings should remain unchanged.

The Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) are the Big-Ten Champions, so they’re pretty much in right now. Clemson (12-0), Alabama (11-1), and Iowa (12-0) also emerged from the flames of Rivalry Week victorious, and one step closer to solidifying their current spots.

Championship Week is up next, and with only one week left in the regular season, teams currently outside of the Top Four are hoping for some loses and a few miracles.

TEAMS TRENDING UP: Ohio State (11-1), Stanford (10-2), North Carolina (11-1)

These three teams are making a late push to try and sneak their way into the Top 4. They managed to stick their foot in the door with wins over the weekend, but each will need a little help to push it wide open.

Ohio State declawed the previously ranked No. 10 Michigan Wolverines 42 to 13, ruining their playoff hopes in the process, but their one loss to Michigan State (11-1) means no Big Ten Championship for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State would need Alabama or Clemson to lose, and Stanford to lose to be seriously considered.

Stanford’s 38 to 36 win over previously ranked No. 6 Notre Dame puts them in great shape to get in. If Stanford wins the Pac-12 Championship by beating USC (8-4), they would theoretically be next in line if Clemson or Alabama loses, and would shut the door on Ohio State.

A Clemson loss to North Carolina would also put the Tar Heels into consideration, but they’ve played two FCS teams season.

“[If they beat Clemson] I would be in favor of putting North Carolina in there,” ESPN analyst Danny Kanell said. “but I don’t think that’s what the committee would look at because they’ve already criticized North Carolina’s schedule.”

Those FCS games is hurting their strength of schedule, and makes it unlikely for the committee to push them ahead of Stanford or even Ohio State; however, unlikely doesn’t mean impossible.

“You’re telling me you’re going to leave a 12 and 1 ACC champion with a monster win against Clemson out, over Ohio State, who didn’t win their conference?!”, said SEC Network Football Analyst Booger McFarland.

TEAMS TRENDING DOWN: Notre Dame (10-2), Florida (10-2), Oklahoma State (10-2), Baylor (9-2)

This one is easy to explain. They all lost, and now have no chance of making it into the Top Four.

Be that as it may, Florida can still play an important role in the playoffs as a spoiler by upsetting Alabama in the SEC Championship this weekend, eliminating the SEC from playoff contention in the process.

The fifth edition of this season’s College Football Playoff rankings will be released at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

To hear audio on the story, click below.

SEC Network’s Booger McFarland on Alabama

SEC Network’s Booger McFarland on North Carolina

ESPN’s Danny Kanell on Oklahoma

ESPN’s Danny Kanell on North Carolina

 

About Elgin O. Rucker

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays Baseball is Back

Ready, set, go. – Today, at 4:10 p.m., the Tampa Bay Rays begin their 2024 …