NCAA Football Rankings 2016: Week 15 Predictions Based on Latest Results
Who's No. 1?
Alabama, with complete certainty.
As far as the College Football Playoff is concerned, that's the one question that can easily be answered. Alabama has a perfect 13-0 record, and the Crimson Tide are coming off an overpowering 54-16 victory over Florida in the SEC title game.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
However, once we move past Nick Saban's team, the questions become more difficult. It seemed the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) were fairly secure at the No. 2 spot in the CFP rankings.
They didn't play on Saturday, so they did nothing to hurt their chances. Among their qualifications are road victories over Oklahoma and Wisconsin and one of the most challenging schedules in the nation.
However, Ohio State lost to Penn State (11-2), and the Nittany Lions won the Big Ten title Saturday night with a 38-31 victory over Wisconsin.
| 1 | Alabama | 13-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 11-1 |
| 3 | Clemson | 12-1 |
| 4 | Washington | 12-1 |
| 5 | Michigan | 10-2 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 10-2 |
| 7 | Penn State | 11-2 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 10-3 |
| 9 | USC | 9-3 |
| 10 | Florida State | 9-3 |
Penn State has been a remarkable second-half team throughout the season, and that was the case in the win over the Badgers. Penn State rallied from a 21-point deficit to win the Big Ten championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Do the Buckeyes belong in the Top 4, or does Penn State deserve the spot because the Nittany Lions are the Big Ten champions?
The CFP selection committee uses a number of factors to make its decisions, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results and margin of victory, but these factors are all applied subjectively. It seems that all of those issues matter sometimes, and at other times, they don't.
From this perspective, Ohio State ranked significantly higher than Penn State before the Big Ten title game, and as stated earlier, the Buckeyes did nothing to change anyone's mind.
Clemson (12-1) did not overpower Virginia Tech in the ACC title game, but it seemed like the Tigers were in control of that game throughout. Clemson emerged with a 42-35 victory, and the Tigers could be a difficult out in the postseason.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was on top of his game, as he threw for 288 yards and ran for 85 more. He threw three touchdowns and added two more on the ground, and when a quarterback is sensational in the team's most important game, it speaks volumes.
Washington (12-1) was the No. 4 team in the most recent CFP rankings, and the Huskies played one of their best games on Friday, defeating Colorado 41-10 in the Pac-12 title game. The problem for Washington is its strength of schedule, which doesn't compare to Alabama, Ohio State or Clemson.
The Huskies may be the team that is most vulnerable to losing its CFP spot. While Penn State could make an argument for that spot, so can Michigan (10-2).
The Wolverines lost their showdown at Ohio State on Nov. 26 by the narrowest of margins, and they ripped the Nittany Lions 49-10 in October. However, that same case was made last week, and the Wolverines found themselves on the outside looking in.
Prediction
There will be no change in the CFP rankings when the committee makes its announcement on Sunday.
Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Washington will hold down the top four spots in that order, just as they did last week.
Penn State, Michigan and Oklahoma (10-2) won't be happy with the results, but those are the teams the committee will back.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
