College Football Playoff 2014: Final Four Predictions After 1st Rankings
The first College Football Playoff committee poll has been released, and the controversy officially begins.
Sure, everyone expected the likes of Mississippi State and Florida State in the top two. But how the rest of the top programs fell after that was anyone's guess.
Ultimately, the committee decided that the top four teams currently are Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn and Ole Miss. The shocker was clearly the final team as Ole Miss lost over the weekend to LSU.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Needless to say, head-to-head matters for the committee with Ole Miss defeating Alabama and remaining in the playoff picture. Of course, this is all fluid and quite a bit will change between now and the final rankings.
That may be the way they stand now, but the poll will be constantly changing just like any other rankings system. Following the first official poll release by the committee, here's a full look at the latest College Football Playoff predictions.
| 1 | Mississippi State | 7-0 |
| 2 | Florida State | 7-0 |
| 3 | Auburn | 6-1 |
| 4 | Ole Miss | 7-1 |
| 5 | Oregon | 7-1 |
| 6 | Alabama | 7-1 |
| 7 | TCU | 6-1 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 7-1 |
| 9 | Kansas State | 6-1 |
| 10 | Notre Dame | 6-1 |
| 11 | Georgia | 6-1 |
| 12 | Arizona | 6-1 |
| 13 | Baylor | 6-1 |
| 14 | Arizona State | 6-1 |
| 15 | Nebraska | 7-1 |
| 16 | Ohio State | 6-1 |
| 17 | Utah | 6-1 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | 5-2 |
| 19 | LSU | 7-2 |
| 20 | West Virginia | 6-2 |
| 21 | Clemson | 6-2 |
| 22 | UCLA | 6-2 |
| 23 | East Carolina | 6-1 |
| 24 | Duke | 6-1 |
| 25 | Louisville | 6-2 |
| Sugar | Jan. 1, 2015 | Semifinal | No. 4 Mississippi State vs. No. 1 Florida State |
| Rose | Jan. 1, 2015 | Semifinal | No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 2 Alabama |
No. 1: Florida State
When it comes to teams that have a shot at remaining undefeated, Florida State has a much better outlook than Mississippi State. Sorry Marshall, but even remaining unscathed likely won't lead to a bid in the playoff this season.
The Seminoles are nowhere near the same team they were a year ago, but they have already survived the toughest part of the schedule. An early victory over Oklahoma State and recent win against Notre Dame means the Noles are nearly a lock for the playoff.
In fact, Brad Edwards of ESPN.com (subscription required) notes Florida State only has two relatively difficult games on the schedule:
"The FPI gives Miami the best chance to upset FSU (on Nov. 15), but if you believe that the formula for beating the Seminoles is a stout defense and a difference-making crowd, then this Thursday's game at Louisville could be all that realistically stands between Florida State and a spot in the playoff. Either way, the amount of resistance on FSU's path to an unbeaten regular season is far less than what fellow unbeaten Mississippi State faces
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Louisville this Thursday night might present a difficult test, but FSU's defense should have no problem shutting down the Cardinals. Then there's the Miami rivalry, which now looks slightly more intriguing with the Hurricanes suddenly surging.
The Canes haven't lost all season at home, but then again, they haven't had any stiff competition. Wins against Cincinnati and Duke look good, but they are nowhere near the caliber of Florida State.
If Jimbo Fisher can keep the team on track and Jameis Winston remains under center, this program is the most likely to make the field. Likely the only undefeated team at the top remaining, FSU will go in as the No. 1 seed as well.
No. 2: Alabama
Just when some were doubting Nick Saban and Alabama's dominance, the Crimson Tide are rolling again.
Currently, the Tide should be placed behind undefeated Mississippi State, but they have a chance to take them down at home on Nov. 15. Saban spoke about what it takes to remain one of the top teams in the country, per Edward Aschoff of ESPN.com:
"Consistency in performance is what’s going to be key to being successful down the road. That’s something that all of our players need to understand, and I do think they understand that. We have to be able to play Alabama football on a more consistent basis. That’s something that everybody’s got to be committed to.
"
Recent blowout wins for the Tide have seen them defeat SEC opponents by a combined total of 73 points. Heading into Baton Rouge against LSU, Bama simply needs a win before heading home for the rest of the season.
The Tigers may have knocked off Ole Miss, but Saban's program appears ready and rolling to take them down after the bye. Not only can Bama eventually win the SEC, but it should also get a chance at a top-two seed heading into the first College Football Playoff with wins against Mississippi State and Auburn
No. 3: Oregon
Much like Florida State, Oregon heads into Week 10 of the college football season with confidence. The Ducks aren't undefeated due to a loss to Arizona, but they have just one ranked team remaining on the schedule and a chance to secure a bid to the playoff.
That ranked team is Utah, who lost a home game earlier this season to Washington State. The Cougars are currently 2-6 with one win in the Pac-12, and Connor Halliday certainly isn't Marcus Mariota.
The Ducks' junior quarterback has been phenomenal this season, passing for 24 touchdowns and just one interception in the last game against California. His potent offense has mowed over nearly every team this season thanks his consistency, as ESPN Stats & Info points out:
Oregon's train might have hit a small speed bump against the Wildcats, but it doesn't appear to be slowing anytime soon. Equipped with a Heisman contender and playmakers all over the field, look for the Ducks to be one of the final teams in the final four.
No. 4: Mississippi State
The second SEC team is none other than Mississippi State—a surprising program that has already made a huge statement with a 7-0 record but still has a long road to make the playoff.
Wins over former Top 10 teams like LSU and Texas A&M put the Bulldogs on the map, but the 15-point dismantling of Auburn was the eye opener. Much of that success is thanks in large part to Heisman hopeful Dak Prescott.
Getting the job done with his arm and legs, Prescott has already amassed 25 total touchdowns compared to just five turnovers during the streak. He's also keeping up with former prolific SEC quarterbacks, as ESPN College Football points out:
The next true test for the Bulldogs awaits them on Nov. 15 in Tuscaloosa. Facing a motivated and surging Alabama team, MSU will need to pull out everything to remain undefeated against the Tide.
Even if Prescott can't lead them over Bama, the Bulldogs still have the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss to redeem themselves. Do that and come away with only one loss in the SEC West, and this team will give FSU a true test for a chance at a national title.
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