This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
The initial rankings from the playoff committee were released this week and as expected, there was an uproar at the placement of Alabama ... and Baylor ... and TCU ... and just about every other team for that matter. What we have to remember collectively is that the rankings are simply a snapshot in time. As proven last year, the initial rankings need not play a part in the final rankings. It's like the old saying, "if the season ended today ... ," yet we all know the season is not ending today, or next week or the week after. There are many games left that will determine who ends up in the final four and when we look back a month from now, no one will remember who the final team in was on Nov. 3.
With that in mind, it's pointless to talk about where the teams sit now, however, where they might be in four weeks? Well, that's just plain fun.
I've spent much of the last two weeks focusing on the teams that most likely to make the final four, but what about the potential party-crashers?
At the top of that list is Iowa, which, unlike the other potential crashers, has a great shot of cracking the final four, as long as it wins out, of course. The Hawkeyes' strength of schedule to this point has not been great, but eventually they will face either an undefeated Ohio State or an undefeated Michigan State.
Memphis has
The initial rankings from the playoff committee were released this week and as expected, there was an uproar at the placement of Alabama ... and Baylor ... and TCU ... and just about every other team for that matter. What we have to remember collectively is that the rankings are simply a snapshot in time. As proven last year, the initial rankings need not play a part in the final rankings. It's like the old saying, "if the season ended today ... ," yet we all know the season is not ending today, or next week or the week after. There are many games left that will determine who ends up in the final four and when we look back a month from now, no one will remember who the final team in was on Nov. 3.
With that in mind, it's pointless to talk about where the teams sit now, however, where they might be in four weeks? Well, that's just plain fun.
I've spent much of the last two weeks focusing on the teams that most likely to make the final four, but what about the potential party-crashers?
At the top of that list is Iowa, which, unlike the other potential crashers, has a great shot of cracking the final four, as long as it wins out, of course. The Hawkeyes' strength of schedule to this point has not been great, but eventually they will face either an undefeated Ohio State or an undefeated Michigan State.
Memphis has gained some steam lately; after all, the Tigers have a very nice win on their resume. Normally this is where the "but" would come in, indicative of the weakness in their remaining schedule, but the Tigers actually have a couple chances to impress the committee. Road games at Houston and Temple remain, and if the Tigers can win and win with style, there's an outside chance they could sneak in -- with a lot of help, of course.
Oklahoma State is the last of the party crashers that actually have a chance to make the final four, and believe it or not, the Cowboys control their own destiny. The problem is, the road to an undefeated record is going to be very difficult with games against TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma remaining.
The next four weeks are going to be very interesting as the four at the top now have a chance to play their way in or out, while those on the outside will need some help. As is the case every year, though, there will be some surprises down the stretch, to stay tuned.
As always, I'll tweet any insights I come up with post-article each week. You can follow me at @gregvara.
CREAM OF THE CROP (Week: 1-2; Season: 12-17)
Saturday
Texas Tech at West Virginia: The Mountaineers haven't been the most cooperative team this season with the overs, but a matchup with the Red Raiders has a way of changing that. WVU has plenty of firepower on offense, and while the Mountaineers failed to show much of it against TCU a couple weeks back, I think being at home we'll get a better effort from them. Texas Tech, meanwhile, just can't be stopped of offense.
Total: Over 80.5
Utah at Washington: Washington is coming off a thumping of Arizona last week, but that's not always a good thing for college football teams. It's easy for these kids to get big heads, and while the Huskies have a solid head coach who'll do his best to keep these kids on task, I'm not sure if that'll be effective this week. The Huskies had better be ready, though, because Utah got back on track last week, and with a win this week, the schedule sets up nicely for a five game win streak to close the season.
Side: Utah +1.5
TCU at Oklahoma State: This is the first of three big tests for Oklahoma State, and while I think the Cowboys will make this a game, I'm focusing on the total. TCU played has played well in spurts on defense this season, but most of that has come at home. On the road, the Horned Frogs defense has been vulnerable, and the Cowboys have more than enough firepower to take advantage this week.
Total: Over 76.5
BEST OF THE REST (Week: 3-1; Season: 10-17)
Saturday
Illinois at Purdue: Purdue is coming off a big win against Nebraska last week, and while there's a chance that the Boilers come into this game a little under prepared, I think they'll see this as another great opportunity to pick up a conference victory. Illinois appears to be better on paper, but a closer look reveals a fairly flimsy 4-4 record. I'll take the points with the home team.
Side: Purdue +5
Cincinnati at Houston: Weather permitting, this one should be a shootout. The Bearcats have their offense finely tuned and no one has been able to stop the Cougars and Greg Ward to this point.
Total: Over 73
Florida State at Clemson: I realize that Clemson has passed every test this season, but this line seems way out of whack. If not for a fluke return of a blocked kick, FSU would be entering this game undefeated as well, and something tells me that the line wouldn't be double-digits.
Side: FSU +11
PASSing THOUGHTS ( Week: 1-0; Season: 9-12)
Saturday
Duke at North Carolina: Is there any chance that the Blue Devils will be up for this game after the disastrous way they lost last week to Miami?
Side: North Carolina -8.5
Navy at Memphis: With a couple huge games remaining on the schedule, it would be easy for Memphis to look past Navy this week, but this team seems determined to leave its mark and it can't do that by losing this week or even letting Navy hang.
Side: Memphis -8
LSU at Alabama: Alabama has been too inconsistent this season to lay a number like this against a solid LSU team. The Tide might win this one by 28, but odds are, it will be close, like many of Alabama's games this season.
Side: LSU +7
