Playoff play-in scenarios are clear, but what if chaos strikes?

Submitted by Gulogulo37 on

It seems obvious to everyone that the playoff field is shaping up to be Oklahoma, Alabama, Clemson, and the B1G winner, barring any upsets of course.

BUT, who would be in should Alabama and/or Clemson get knocked off? Matt Hinton on twitter says it's Ohio State over Stanford. If Stanford wins the Pac-12, I think that would be completely insane. The only argument you'd have for OSU over them is Stanford has an extra loss. But they'll have played an extra game and won their conference (and their division!). They'll have beaten all the top teams in the Pac-12 (including USC twice) except Oregon. And, of course, they beat Notre Dame. OSU has a blowout win over Michigan and then...? Stanford is only one spot behind OSU in the current playoff rankings and just got what I'd say is a better win (even accounting for the margins and playing on the road) and play another quality opponent next week.

Does anyone else have a shot? Perhaps UNC if they win against Clemson without it being a fluke. I know they haven't played anyone else, but ACC champs with a win over the team who has been sitting in first most of the year sounds pretty good. Florida seems out of it even if they beat Alabama. I don't want MSU in there either, but hell, even if they lose to Iowa, is their resume really worse than OSU's considering they beat them head-to-head in Columbus with backup QBs and beat Oregon?

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ThadMattasagoblin

November 29th, 2015 at 12:13 AM ^

No way the buckeyes get in over stanford. Beating usc twice, notre dame, Washington state, and facing northwestern, Oregon vs ohio state's gauntlet of illinois, minnesota, virginia tech etc.

Joined: 08/24/2011

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I Like Burgers

November 29th, 2015 at 12:14 AM ^

There is no way in hell Alabama is losing.  Have you seen Florida the last few weeks?

The only chaos would be if Clemson loses to North Carolina, which is fairly possible.  That would leave you with Alabama, Oklahoma, and the B1G winner.  For the fourth slot, you'd have Pac-12 winner, UNC, and Ohio State.  Since the committee values conf championships so much, I think Stanford would have the best resume of those three because of their win over Notre Dame.  UNC has a terrible schedule (two FCS teams on it), and all Ohio State would have going for it is a win over a 15-20'ish ranked Michigan.

Plus, if it comes down to picking a second Big Ten team over a conference champ, they'll go with the conf champ if its close.

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Alumnus93

November 29th, 2015 at 12:20 AM ^

Get used to them being natl champs. I wish I didn't think this but they play the right way and are the best one out there right now. Then they'll slide

Joined: 09/10/2009

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Danwillhor

November 29th, 2015 at 12:34 AM ^

it's insane but they'll beat Iowa close, Clemson close and the Bama/Oklahoma winner will lose their 3 best players in an 8 overtime slugfest before msu....who will win close. I'll then eat a bullet.

Joined: 12/02/2008

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allintime23

November 29th, 2015 at 7:00 AM ^

The last game they win is Iowa. Sorry buddy but after that it's done. Wait until they play a team with a good offensive line like Oklahoma or bama. Or better yet wait and see what happens to that secondary when they face clemsons QB and receivers.

Joined: 09/21/2009

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ghost

November 29th, 2015 at 4:53 AM ^

What sport have you been watching?  Ok, Bama, Clemson, and Stanford all look better than MSU right now.  They will be in the playoff if they beat Iowa, but that will be as far as they go.

Joined: 09/02/2011

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M-Dog

November 29th, 2015 at 4:54 AM ^

Ohio State is not getting in.

CONGRATULATIONS BUCKEYES!

You're the best team in the country to watch the Playoff on TV.  Just like the rest of us.

Maybe they'll make you a ring or something. 

 

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bacon

November 29th, 2015 at 6:58 AM ^

I don't get the scenarios, but I do know there's a log jam ahead of us for bowl games. I'm two big ten teams get in the CFP, then fine. I see it as us playing in a better bowl.

Joined: 01/04/2009

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Mr. Yost

November 29th, 2015 at 9:08 AM ^

1. Clemson
2. Bama
3. Oklahoma
4. Iowa
5. MSU
6. Stanford
7. OSU
8. UNC
9. ND

Iowa/MSU winner gets the 4th spot.

And no, OSU has no chance. If UNC beats Clemson it would jump OSU because it would have that 13th game on the schedule. Also, Clemson wouldn't drop below OSU because it's resume would be much better than OSU's 12 game schedule.

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1blueeye

November 29th, 2015 at 9:50 AM ^

Never count out OSU. If there was ever a team that has things fall into place magically it's them. I remember after I think it was the 2007 OSU -Mich game. People left saying no way OSU backs into the title game and they did. Last year, no way the commitee selects OSU with a loss and their 3rd string QB. But we know how that happened. I hate how they seem to get a lot of breaks, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if it happened again.

Joined: 02/13/2014

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bronxblue

November 29th, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^

I don't see a way OSU gets in because they don't play again and all the teams around them have better resumes. Hell, Clemson could probably lose and still get in. It just ain't happening for them this year.

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