B/R CFB Community: What Are the Top Four Teams in College Football?
Roughly two months into the season, and the landscape looks much different than it once did.
Sure, the three teams we expected to dominate the sport—Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia—are still unbeaten and atop the rankings. But there have been signs of cracks in just about every team, even the unbeatens, and the future feels somewhat uncertain.
We will still have a College Football Playoff. And that playoff, for the time being, will position the nation’s four best teams against one another.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
As we hover around the season’s midway mark, we’re taking inventory of the postseason and the top four teams in the sport.
We asked B/R readers to compile their top four teams—aka a playoff if the season ended today. As always, they delivered. While many of the teams are similar, there are some notable changes as it pertains to that final spot.
Let’s explore.
Orange Takeover
User: @Sorryboutit
Response: Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee. Not in any order either
After absolutely clobbering LSU, one could make a very real argument that Tennessee is one of the four best teams in football. That is precisely what @Sorryboutit did in this SEC-heavy top four that includes the Vols.
Now, a few things. Do I believe three SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff? While I will never say never, it seems highly unlikely.
With that being said, Tennessee is in a position to stay firmly entrenched in the Top Four—or even assume the role as the nation’s No. 1 team—depending on what happens in the next month.
The Vols play Alabama at home this week, and that outcome will likely define the trajectory of the season one way or another. In early November, Tennessee will head to Athens to take on Georgia, which will be an enormous matchup regardless of what happens on Saturday.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Vols’ rise has been the balance. They have the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense and the nation’s No. 22 scoring defense. The points we expected, although the defense has been superb.
If that continues, Tennessee will continue to be a problem for just about everyone.
Planet Harbaugh
User: @Snicklefrits91
Response: MICHIGAN, Ohio State, ‘Bama and Georgia
Once again, Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia are accounted for. Although the team up front, dressed in all-caps, is a change from what we just unearthed.
Michigan is very much in the conversation to be the fourth team, although that opinion will likely vary wildly from person to person.
Granted, there is a ton to like. The Wolverines are unbeaten and powered by running back Blake Corum, one of the true workhorses in the sport. Young QB J.J. McCarthy has enormous talent, although he’s still honing that talent accordingly.
The defense, ranked No. 5 nationally, has filled in some sizable holes quickly. It will be tested in the coming weeks—starting this week against Penn State—although the unit has been solid.
The concerns really boil down to the level of competition and how the Wolverines have looked in their most meaningful games.
Michigan did not blow out Maryland at home a few weeks ago. This past Saturday, Indiana hung around much longer than it should have.
Time will tell what that means, and that time is approaching quickly. As long as Michigan continues to win, regardless of how it wins, it will stay in this discussion.
Out With the SEC, in With the Pac-12
User: @aub1873
Response: 1. Ohio State 2. Georgia 3. Tennessee 4. USC
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room, @aub1873. I’m going to assume the “aub” in your name is connected to Auburn. And I am going to assume that leaving out Alabama entirely from the top four is a, well, personal decision.
Either way, welcome to the mix regardless. We don't judge around here.
With Alabama out, USC has found its way into the discussion. This is not shocking given the fact that the Trojans are unbeaten, although this could be the most polarizing team of them all.
Granted, there is a ton to like. USC has life for the first time in a while. What’s most intriguing about this team’s makeup is the balance, which is not something we expected to see this early.
The Trojans have the nation’s No. 26 scoring defense and the No. 15 scoring offense. They also lead the nation in interceptions.
The last few weeks haven’t looked dominant for Lincoln Riley’s group, and it’s fair to question how these performances will translate as the schedule escalates. That starts on Saturday, when USC will travel to Utah in a game we’ve been talking about for months.
A win on Saturday, and the case for USC as a Top Four team will only grow louder. A loss, however, will change the conversation swiftly.
The good news? We don’t have to wait long to find out.
The SEC Universe
User: @rowdy0o
Response: UGA, BAMA, OLE MISS, TENN
If you thought having three SEC teams was a lot, then @rowdy0o has something for you.
Yes, let’s add one more into the mix. The mainstays, Alabama and Georgia, are accounted for. Tennessee is in attendance as well.
Making a cameo, however, is Ole Miss.
Lane Kiffin’s team is unbeaten and No. 9 in the AP poll. The offense hasn’t been as explosive as we thought, although it’s still been solid at No. 17 in points per game. Like other teams mentioned here, the defense has been the biggest surprise. Ole Miss is ranked No. 11 in scoring defense.
While an unbeaten Kiffin team is good for college football, this suggestion, at least right now, is a bit much for my football palate.
Ole Miss could have easily lost to Kentucky, and it struggled for a great deal of its game against Vanderbilt. Both games resulted in wins, and that’s the only thing that matters. But as of now, the schedule just feels a little lax to warrant this kind of ranking.
That, however, will change. Ole Miss still plays LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi State before the season ends.
The chance to make an impression is still out there. We might just need to slow our roll ever so slightly.
The Pokes Get a Nudge
User: @Shrek99
Response: Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma State
The knock on Oklahoma State through the first three weeks of the season was that the schedule wasn’t up to par.
As we enter Week 7, that viewpoint has certainly shifted.
Oklahoma State, which was a few feet away from making the College Football Playoff last year, is unbeaten with a road win over Baylor and a victory over Texas Tech, which didn’t come easily, in the back pocket.
There is a ton to like, especially when it comes to quarterback Spencer Sanders. The senior has accounted for 18 touchdowns and thrown only two interceptions.
The defense has taken a large step backward, which was to be expected. After a rough season opener (allowing 44 points to Central Michigan), however, it has played better.
This week, as Oklahoma State travels to TCU, it will need to take another leap forward. The Horned Frogs are a dangerous team, and this could be a problem game for OK State. Or, if Mike Gundy’s team stays unbeaten, the case for a spot in the Top Four will grow louder.
There’s a lot of meat on the bone still to come, including games against Texas, Kansas State and Kansas. You could make a compelling argument that Oklahoma State is worthy of being in the Top Four, although I might wait to see what happens this weekend before I make it.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
