There was a few games that had College Football Playoff implications this weekend. The standings are all getting shaken up. Some teams have moved out in front, but even teams with a loss will have a chance to redeem themselves and make the College Football Playoff. Here are how the teams would and should rank through the committee’s eyes:
Playoff Teams:
1. Oklahoma Sooners
This may shock some people, but the committee really values big wins on the road. Last year Ohio State got in the CFP for beating Oklahoma in Norman. Now Oklahoma gets the same type of win in Columbus to bolster their resume.
While there first win against UTEP won’t do much, beating Ohio State on the road is the most impressive win this season. They may not be able to hold this spot for long. The Sooners are depending on Ohio State stepping up their game and winning some big games to make this win look really good for them.
The start to the season has been good for the Sooners and the schedule gets easier from here on out. Big games will come down the road against Oklahoma State and Kansas State, so for now they can’t lose any trap games.
This week: vs. Tulane Green Waves
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama moves down a spot as a result of Oklahoma’s big win, but is still in a great spot. This week they demolished a sub-par Fresno State team. That won’t do much to impress the committee, but are still carried by their win in week one.
The Crimson Tide had a very good win against Florida State in week one, but it was a neutral site game as opposed to a true road game. If they had won the game at Florida State they may have been able to stick in the top spot. Alabama will get their chance to move back up to the top spot.
It shouldn’t be too challenging for the Crimson Tide the next few weeks, as their schedule is back loaded.
This week: vs. Colorado State Rams
3. USC Trojans
In a weekend of big games, USC stepped up to beat Stanford, who was ranked number 14 at the time. Sam Darnold made some great throws and now the Trojans look like the favorite to win the Pac-12.
USC started off sluggishly against Western Michigan in week one, but the Broncos are still an ok team. The win over Stanford gives their case for the College Football Playoff the burst it needed. Not only did they beat Stanford, but they controlled the game and made it look relatively easy, which will impress the committee.
They don’t play any really good teams for a few weeks, but the Trojans need to play like they did against Stanford and not like they did against Western Michigan.
This week: vs. Texas
4. Clemson Tigers
No Deshaun Watson, no problem. The Tigers played Auburn, who had a lot of hype coming into this game. Clemson’s defense took over and won the game, while the offense really struggled. That will need to get better in the future, but for now Clemson has put them in the best position out of the entire ACC to make the College Football Playoff.
Clemson beat Kent State in week one and doesn’t do much for their resume. The win over Auburn is another one of the more impressive wins of this weekend that helped propel Clemson up the rankings. Even with an offense that didn’t play particularly well, Clemson looks like one of the best teams in the country.
How is Clemson rewarded for beating Auburn? They get to take on Louisville.
This week: at 14 Louisville
First four out:
5. Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have played two quality teams in the first two weeks of the season, which is more than just about anyone else. Georgia had an impressive showing in South Bend, escaping with a one point victory. They are one of the few teams that also have a big victory on the road this far in the season.
In week one the Bulldogs beat Appalachian State, who is one of the best group of five teams in the country. The circumstances around their week two victory means a lot too. Winning a game at Notre Dame with a quarterback in his first start is incredible. When the team gets Jacob Eason back from injury, they should really have things rolling.
They will have to wait a few weeks to really challenge themselves again, but the Bulldogs look like a runaway favorite in the SEC East.
This week: vs. Samford Bulldogs
6. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan did not play well this weekend against a below average Cincinnati team, but pulled away in the fourth quarter. While there is some cause for concern in the future, Michigan has taken care of business so far. If they keep winning they can stay in contention for the CFP.
The win over the Bearcats doesn’t help the Wolverines too much. Only time will tell how big their win over Florida will be. The Gators look sloppy so far, but if they can rebound, Michigan’s stock will go up. The Wolverines will need to clean up their turnovers or they will be in trouble in the future, but as of now their resume is solid.
The Wolverines will play a solid Air Force team this weekend and better bring their best. Their schedule is manageable for the next few weeks before they play Michigan State.
This week: vs. Air Force Falcons
7. Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies didn’t improve their resume this weekend by beating Delaware, but they got the win nonetheless. Finding Justin Jackson at quarterback has been huge for Virginia Tech. If he can continue his development, the Hokies can crash the CFP party.
Justin Fuente’s team is still being carried by their week one win over West Virginia, but will have more opportunities to play good teams down the road. They will have an easy time the next two weeks before their big game against Clemson, which they are fortunate enough to have at home.
This week: at East Carolina Pirates
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State was able to win comfortably against Pitt this weekend. While we don’t know how good Pitt will be with a lot of turnover on their team, it was still a good win in a rivalry game. The offense is rolling with over 40 points per game and will be hard for most defenses to stop.
The Pitt got the Lions to 2-0 after they beat Akron in week one. That game doesn’t matter too much because Akron will struggle this season. Penn State has one more nonconference game before heading into the Big Ten schedule, which will be tough.
This week: vs. Georgia State Panthers
Next four out:
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys have beat two FBS teams this season, which is more than some can say. Both these teams went to bowl games last season, making them ok wins. This week they beat South Alabama on the road, thrashing the Jaguars for 44 points.
The South Alabama win was good, but they also beat a ten win Tulsa team in week one. Tulsa had a ten win season last year and figure to be competitive again this season. The schedule is tougher in the next few weeks and the Oklahoma State defense will be challenged.
This week: at Pittsburgh Panters
10. Tennessee Volunteers
Another team on this list carried by one win over the other is Tennessee. This week they blew out Indiana State, who isn’t even a very good FCS team. This game did allow the Volunteers to get some more valuable experience for their young players who are stepping into new roles.
Tennessee’s in over Georgia Tech was a thriller and still a very good win. They will be tested more in the coming weeks including their big rivalry game with Florida, but their win in week one helps them get to this spot in the rankings.
This week: at 24 Florida Gators
11. LSU Tigers
LSU manhandled Chattanooga this weekend to improve their record to 2-0. The offense seems to be getting off on the right foot, but the Tigers haven’t been adequately challenged yet. The defense looks as good as ever with only ten points given up in the first two weeks.
While they are 2-0, with a good win over BYU, the win is looking less and less impressive. The Cougars are now 1-2 and will likely be 1-3 after this week. LSU will need to pick up some impressive wins to move up a lot on this list.
This week: at Mississippi State Bulldogs
12. Washington State Cougars
In the most thrilling game of week two, Washington State outlasted Boise State in an exciting three overtime game. Impressively Washington State had to come back from 21 points down with a backup quarterback. They are setting themselves up to be in the thick of the Pac-12 North race.
The first week of the season had the Cougars avoiding an FCS upset against Montana State. They start their Pac-12 schedule this week and with Stanford’s loss to USC, have a chance to get an early lead over contenders in the division.
This week: vs. Oregon State Beavers
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