We aren’t going to get an Ohio State update. The Big Ten’s chaos will not affect these rankings.
…
We don’t think.
This is the thing about subjective committees. They always have the option to surprise us.
But assuming they don’t really break with tradition and start ranking future possibilities, here’s what we’re looking at tonight:
What will Gary Barta say about Ohio State?
Will the CFP committee chair make a public comment on Ohio State’s future? What hints will he give? This won’t only impact our understanding of the rankings going forward. It might impact the actions of the Big Ten.
Where will (Indiana/Coastal Carolina/USC) land?
These are the only three offering much intrigue this week. None has a particularly inspiring shot at a playoff berth. But each of the three’s at least an imaginable possibility, and since we don’t have many other questions, let’s explain what that possibility is for each:
Indiana: Indiana wins the Big Ten, crushing Northwestern in the title game. With Notre Dame beating Clemson, Alabama dominating Florida, and the Buckeyes just 6-0 compared to Indiana and Texas A&M’s respective 8-1’s, the committee opts for the Hoosiers in a shocker.
USC: USC wins out, winning the Pac-12 and giving the committee an easy out in a scenario similar to the one described above.
Coastal Carolina: The Chants take it to Louisiana-Lafayette in the Sun Belt title game, giving them a favorable common result over Iowa State, who wins the Big 12. With Alabama and Notre Dame both undefeated conference champions, but the next best thing a slog of flawed candidates (two-loss Clemson, one-loss A&M, two-loss Florida, no AAC undefeated team, six-win Ohio State, one-loss Northwestern), the committee bites the bullet and gives one of the last two spots to the mullets, using the “they earned it” rhetoric.
No, these aren’t likely, but they’re offering the most interest of anything within the rankings themselves, barring an Ohio State surprise. So if you’re watching, watch for them.
