As I’m watching Ohio State’s monstrous second half, I decided the playoff picture is set. I won’t have the full GCR published until later tomorrow (traveling really early for work and there’s a late game in the FCS). Here’s what happened for those not paying attention (all rankings CFP going into this week): Utah (5) lost to Oregon (13) by 22. Can everyone wave goodbye to the Pac 12? Utah will plunge to around 9, Oregon will come up to about 8. Oklahoma (6) edged out Baylor (7) in overtime. The second time they’ve beaten the Bears this season and the only losses Baylor has suffered. Baylor falls behind the Pac 12 teams. Oklahoma now had to wait on the SEC. Boise State (19) and Memphis (17) both won home-field conference championship games but Memphis will jump to about 14 and be the Group of 5 New Year’s Six team. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, LSU (2) dismantled Georgia (4). Georgia will drop to 7. Clemson (3) was doing everything they could including scoring with under 2:00 to play in a 62-17 squeaker (nothing says best team in America like classy play) over Virginia (21), the only single digit wins team in the Power 5 championships. Ohio State (1) is going to beat Wisconsin (8) knocking Wisconsin out of the top 10.
The top 4 are simple: Ohio State, LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma. The next 6 are tough. Here’s my prediction. Florida (9) will move up to 5 as the best 2-loss team (LSU, Georgia). Penn State (10) will move to 6th. Georgia (4) will drop to 7th. Oregon (13) will jump to 8th. Utah (5) will drop to 9th. Baylor (7) will round out the top 10. Auburn (11) and Alabama (12) will hold on to those spots with Wisconsin (8) dropping to 13. Memphis (17) will be 14. Michigan (14) will drop one to 15.
There are 24 seconds left in the 34-21 come from behind win to keep the Buckeyes #1. Let the games begin.
Thanks, G
