- The College Football Playoff selection committee faces pressure in the final week of the regular season.
- The top 11 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll either won or had the week off, leading to a relatively quiet week in the rankings.
- Major games in the final week and conference championships will determine the final playoff field set for Dec. 7.
It’s the final week of the regular season, and the pressure is rising on the College Football Playoff selection committee.
It was a relatively quiet past week as the top 11 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll either won or had the week off. However, there is sure to be changes with huge games coming before the field is set on Dec. 7. Is the selection committee getting the latest rankings right? Or are some teams undeservingly getting boosts or put down with not much time left?
The weekend is the final chance for every team to make its case before only a few advance to conference championship games. Here are the grades for every spot in the College Football Playoff ranking heading into Week 14.
1. Ohio State: A+
Pretty sure the Buckeyes are solely focused on beating Michigan before thinking about anything else.
2. Indiana: A+
Beat Big Ten cellar-dweller Purdue and a first-round bye is nearly wrapped up for Indiana.
3. Texas A&M: A+
The SEC title game is far from clinched with the Aggies having to play at Texas. The could get there with a loss if other results fall right.
4. Georgia: A+
Even though Georgia Tech lost last week, Georgia would earn a quality win by beating the Yellow Jackets that could help it secure a first-round bye.
5. Texas Tech: B+
The Red Raiders are positioned to be in the playoff as long as they beat West Virginia, but it was a tad bit surprising to see them not get jumped by Oregon.
6. Oregon: A-
With that much-needed signature win against Southern California, Oregon gets a more secure spot. It could have moved up into the top five.
7. Mississippi: A
The Rebels should have given up a spot to Oregon, and now a spot in the playoff doesn’t seem as secured without a win at Mississippi State.
8. Oklahoma: B+
Beat LSU and the Sooners can feel good about their chances to make the field.
9. Notre Dame: A-
While Notre Dame putting up 70 points is cool, scoring that much against Syracuse isn’t much to brag about.
10. Alabama: B-
The playoff is still in the Crimson Tide’s hands, but Alabama fans are probably nervous heading into the Iron Bowl.
11. Brigham Young: C
It looks like it’ll be Big 12 title or bust for BYU to get in. A defeat of Central Florida puts the Cougars one win away.
12. Miami: A
Boasting one of the best resumes, moving Miami even one spot is a notable jump. Now what could a win against Pittsburgh do?
13. Utah: A+
Utah’s spot always felt confusing, but there seems to be clarity the Utes have reached their ceiling and need a lot of help.
14. Vanderbilt: B
Would a win over Tennessee do anything for Vanderbilt to get into the field? It doesn’t feel likely.
15. Michigan: F
Certainly interesting to move Michigan up so much considering it doesn’t have a ranked win. It feels like beating Ohio State gets the Wolverines in.
16. Texas: D-
Even moving up a spot, Texas got jumped past Michigan, which should enrage the Longhorns. They’ve got a chance against Texas A&M to make their case but that’s a lot of ground to make up.
17. Southern California: C-
The committee was gracious in not dropping USC down too many spots when it was justified to do so.
18. Virginia: B
The win over Duke in Week 12 was notable, but the ACC title is the only viable way for the Cavaliers to get in.
19. Tennessee: C-
Still without a signature win, the Volunteers continue to make other teams look good by being ranked in the top 20.
20. Arizona State: B-
The only team to beat Texas Tech has played well recently, and Arizona State can add another key win in the battle for the Territorial Cup.
21. Southern Methodist: A-
Being ranked helped with seeding should SMU find its way back into the field. However, the earlier losses turned out to be worse than when they happened.
22. Pittsburgh: A+
It was a complete performance in the win over Georgia Tech, and it kept the Panthers alive in the ACC race.
23. Georgia Tech: D+
It’s a big drop for the Yellow Jackets, and even without any notable wins, it’s hard to justify.
24. Tulane: C+
25. Arizona: B-
This one feels pretty random over some worthy Group of Five teams, but the Wildcats have played well in this four-game win streak.
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