Preview of Week Nine College Football Playoff Games

As my regular readers know, I consider regular season meetings between ranked teams the equivalent of playoff games, since they are almost always elimination contests.  So far this year, including this week, we have had 23 "playoff" games.  This week is also our fourth meeting of the year between two teams ranked in the top eight. 

I consider games between top eight teams very significant because most playoff advocates want to go to an eight-team playoff.  In an eight-team playoff, we would have a total of seven playoff games, including the championship game.

Under the current system, we have already had four games between top eight teams this year, plus we are guaranteed one more in the NC game.   Just two more meetings to go and it will be a tie. 

What's so great about a playoff again?

Texas (1) vs. Oklahoma State (7)

As we get later in the season, there are fewer and fewer second chances for the teams that lose a game.  If Oklahoma State loses, they will have an improbable road to the championship game.  Their only bright spot is that they play Oklahoma at home to end the season.

Things will also get dicey for Texas if they lose.  The only top 10 team left on their schedule is Texas Tech, and it's doubtful their opponent in the Big 12 Championship Game is going to be highly ranked.  Both Missouri and Kansas are now two-loss teams ranked out of the top 15.

As they say, if you are going to lose a game in this system, lose early.  It's already late.

Georgia (7) vs. LSU (11)

An absolute must win for both teams, each of which already has one loss.  Sure, LSU got in last year with two losses, but they were ranked No. 1 for the entire first half of that season.  Even then it was a minor miracle.  There is no way a two-loss LSU team gets in this year.

Same deal with Georgia.  Do or die on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

Ohio State (10) vs. Penn State (3)

Of the two teams, Penn State has the best chance of recovering from a loss.  Still, a one-loss Penn State team is probably out of it.  They haven't played enough tough teams.

The Nittany Lions are probably somewhat over-ranked right now for four reasons.

1) There aren't many other undefeated teams from BCS conferences.

2) They rank very high in total team offensive and defensive statistics.

3) They've looked great beating everybody.

4) There is some media bias toward them as a Big Ten school and some sentimentalism over Paterno.

If they lose to OSU, their already suspect credibility is gone, and they don't have any ranked teams left on their schedule.  There's no tomorrow for PSU Saturday night.  If they go undefeated, they will almost certainly play for the NC.  If they lose, they are almost certainly out.

OSU will be in a pretty good position in a one-loss beauty contest if they beat Penn State.  If they lose, they are out.

Enjoy everybody.  This is one of the premier weekends of the year with three compelling do-or-die matchups between the best teams in the country!