College Football Playoff 2014: Final Outlook Before Saturday's Week 2 Games
The college football playoff system is the best thing to happen to the game in a while. The closer we get to the end of the season, the more apparent that will be.
After just one week, not much has materialized.
Despite a close call against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the defending national champion Florida St. Seminoles are still considered the top team in the land. Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston helped will his team to a 37-31 win in Week 1.
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Winston had 370 yards passing and one spectacular run, but he did throw two interceptions.
The No. 2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide had to hold off a determined West Virginia team 33-23. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks and No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners had much easier matchups against the South Dakota Coyotes and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, respectively.
With all four teams winning, it's hard to suggest any of them lost or gained ground. However, that could certainly happen in Week 2.
Top Four Team With Best Chance to Make a Statement: No. 3 Oregon
In the unquestioned game of the week, Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota and the Ducks will host the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans.
The Spartans defense was downright nasty in 2013, but it did lose seven key defensive players from last year's team—including Denicos Allen and Darqueze Dennard.
Last week, the Spartans beat Jacksonville State 45-7, but they did allow 254 yards of total offense. It's safe to say the Ducks' attack will be a little more formidable.
Based on this and the fact that the Ducks haven't lost a non-conference game at Autzen Stadium since 2008, you have to like their chances at home. If the Ducks win, a victory over a Top 10 team would have to at least make some of the voters from the playoff committee think about putting them ahead of Alabama.
Team Outside of Top Four With Chance to Make a Move: No. 7 Michigan State
The game of the week is a double-edged sword. If the Spartans can go into Oregon and win, it would make an even bigger statement than a Ducks victory.
There are real questions as to whether the Spartans defense is as good as it was last season after losing so many key players. If the team can rally behind junior quarterback Connor Cook and find a way to slow the Ducks offense down, it may have a chance to pull a pretty big upset while making a quantum leap up the rankings.
Easiest Week 2 Matchup: No. 1 Florida State vs. Citadel
The Seminoles will be happy to see The Citadel Bulldogs coming after last week. I'm sure the Bulldogs will give it their all, but don't expect to see Winston and many of the starters past halftime.
The Southern Conference squad was 5-7 last season. The Clemson Tigers were the only ranked team it played, and the Bulldogs lost that game 52-6.
Last week, they lost to Coastal Carolina 31-16. It's going to be a long day for those kids on Saturday.
All stats per CFBStats.com
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