Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, October 30, 2017
The College Football Playoff committee will unveil its first poll on Tuesday, which will happen each subsequent Tuesday until the four-team playoff is announced on Sunday, Dec. 3.
How will the top four shake out when the first poll is announced on Halloween? Here's how I see things shaking out:
- Alabama (8-0)
- Georgia (8-0)
- Notre Dame (7-1)
- Ohio State (7-1)
Bama lacks a marquee win-FSU was No. 3 in the opener when it lost to the Tide–but has been ultra-dominant. Georgia has the best win of this group, taking down Notre Dame 20-19 in South Bend. The Bulldogs also have beaten Mississippi State. The Irish have toppled Boston College, Michigan State, USC and N.C. State. Ohio State has a big win vs. Penn State and its only loss was a quality one: vs. Oklahoma in Columbus.
Just on the other side of the fence, I have Clemson (7-1) No. 5 and Oklahoma (7-1) No. 6. The Tigers have nice wins vs. Auburn, at Louisville and at Virginia Tech but an ugly loss at Syracuse. The Sooners have a big win at Ohio State but lost at home to Iowa State.
The Buckeyes (7-1) made a big statement on Saturday by taking down unbeaten Penn State in a 39-38 thriller in the Horseshoe. Ohio State already has a loss (at home to Oklahoma), so it knows it has no wiggle room if it wants to make the playoff for a second year in a row as the Buckeyes look for their first national title since 2014. OSU still has games at Iowa, vs. Michigan State and at Michigan.
The Nittany Lions (7-1) aren?t out of the hunt, but they must win-out and get help from other schools. They have a nice win vs. Michigan and a tough road victory at Iowa. PSU is at Michigan State this week. Win that, and Penn State should cruise. Still, the loss at Ohio State was a huge blow to the Nittany Lions? playoff hopes.
And don?t forget about 8-0 Wisconsin. Yes, the Badgers lack a glistening resume, but if they run the table and win the Big Ten, they figure to earn a spot in the playoff. UW?s best win? Vs. Northwestern.
There is still a lot of football to be played, so expect a lot more movement.