The dust has settled - predict the top four

Submitted by ChopBlock on

Essentially, we have 4 teams vying for three playoff spots. Alabama will be the #1 seed of course, but for spots 2-4, the following teams are in the race (astersik = conference champion). Sorry Oklahoma, better luck next year.

Ohio State 11-1

Clemson 12-1*

Washington 12-1*

Penn State 11-2*

Do Clemson and/or Washington jump Ohio State? Does conference champion Penn State squeak into the #4 spot? Post your predicted top 4!

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Indiana Blue

December 4th, 2016 at 12:31 AM ^

Penn State won the B1G (conference chamion) and they beat ohio head to head  -  committee has zero options  -  the facts out weigh any other argument.  If not - then lets just put Alabama and ohio into the playoff every fucking year ... cuz on the field doesn't matter then.  

I think its hilarious !!! fuck ohio !!!

Go Blue!

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lilpenny1316

December 4th, 2016 at 1:43 AM ^

I'm sorry, but the committee has constantly said their mission is to get the four best teams out there.  PSU is not one of those teams.  UW would beat PSU by two TDs on a neutral field.  The committee saw PSU win an entertaining high scoring game over a team that cannot complete a 10-yard pass.  

I'm still stunned at Wisconsin's 4th down call.  Why does David Shaw possess the bodies of these head coaches at the precisely the wrong time.

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Jevablue

December 4th, 2016 at 12:17 AM ^

What it is:

Bama

Clemson

Michigan

Washington

 

What it probably shall be:

Bama

OSU

Clemson

Wasington

 

Bonus, what it could be:

Bama

OSU

Clemson

Michigan

In no way should it be PSU unless the entire universe is aligned to minimize stress on Saban.

 

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Mannix

December 4th, 2016 at 12:18 AM ^

1) Bama
2) Washington
3) OSU
4) Michigan
5) Clemson
6) Ped St

People clamoring for expanding playoffs may have a beef this year, but most years the top 4 are pretty clear cut. I could be suffering from recency bias, though.



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Mr. Yost

December 4th, 2016 at 12:25 AM ^

I don't buy that at all.

In the very first year it wasn't clear cut and there was huge contoversy taking OSU over Baylor and TCU. It just turns out they won the whole thing and put the noise to bed.

Last year Stanford was like this year's Michigan and it was a top 4 team that didn't get in...just like Michigan won't.

...IMO, this does nothing one way or the other in terms of an 8-team playoff. If you like 4, you have every reason to stand by that this year. If you like 8, this is another year where you feel we should have 8.

--------------------

Truthfully, there've been 6 team each year that should be in...but you can't make a good 6-team playoff, IMO. So with that said, I just happen to be in the group that would prefer you have 2 team that shouldn't be in and reward the top 2 teams with an easier game...rather than leave 2 teams out who were deserving (TCU/Baylor, Iowa/Stanford, PSU/Michigan).

 

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Mr. Yost

December 4th, 2016 at 12:35 AM ^

In my fantasy 8-team playoff...

 

QUARTERFINALS

#1 Alabama vs. Wisconsin/Colorado/SC/Okie St (@Bama) ...not sure who you take 8th

#2 Clemson vs. Oklahoma (@ Clemson)

#3 OSU vs. PSU (@OSU) [interesting how that plays out with basically a conference game at the other team's home]

#4 Washington vs. #5 Michigan (@Wash)

Quarterfinals would be next weekend and then you'd have the bowl selection show (losers would still go to a bowl - winners go to semis and finals just as they do it now at neutral sites).

Oddly enough, those matchups are TERRIBLE. Clemson and Oklahoma played last year, Bama played USC earlier this year or 4 teams from one conference would be kind of stupid - we'd lose our minds if it was the SEC. OSU and PSU is a rematch...with that said, it's not like anyone planned for this and in most years the quarters would provide you with awesome matchups and the home field advantage would be substaintial for the top 4 seeds.

Anyway...back to reality.

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nes5775

December 4th, 2016 at 12:19 AM ^

The 4 best team are
Bama
OSU
Clemson
Michigan

But it's should be
Bama
OSU
Washington
Clemson

PSU should not jump up 3 spot and specially past Michigan after Michigan beat the by 39 point

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I Like Burgers

December 4th, 2016 at 12:21 AM ^

1. Bama

2. Ohio State

3. Clemson

4. Penn State

5. Washington

6. Michigan

 

Think the debate tonight for the committee comes down to PSU vs. Washington and Penn State has better wins, and a better overall schedule.  Penn State's out of conference schedule also got a little better tonight when Temple won the AAC.

And yes, Michigan beat PSU handily, but Penn State was down like 6 LBs in that game which counts for something, and Washington also got beaten pretty good by USC.  The narrow Pitt loss and Washington's OT win vs. Arizona cancel each other out.  Everything after that leans towards PSU.

And, that would likely mean a Rose Bowl for Michigan vs. USC.  Which, yes please.

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I Like Burgers

December 4th, 2016 at 12:42 AM ^

But that's where strength of schedule comes in.  Washington played NOBODY out of conference.  Penn State played Pitt and Temple, and had a 3 point loss on the road to Pitt and beat the eventual AAC champ in Temple.  Plus, they won in the toughest division and conference.  I think that nullifies a 1-loss vs. 2-loss debate.  If it doesn't, then Western should be in the playoff since they have zero losses.

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I Like Burgers

December 4th, 2016 at 12:33 AM ^

It comes down to having to compare Penn State and Washington.  And if you look at the two seasons side-by-side, I don't know how you pick Washington over Penn State.

And for the "how can they put them over Michigan" crowd, the committee uses four criteria.  Conf champs, head-to-head, common opponents, and strength of schedule.  Michigan gets the H2H, but on common opponents, PSU beat pretty handily teams Michigan either struggled with, or lost to down the stretch.  SOS might go to Michigan, but its not overwhelming enough that I think it makes up for the other things.

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doggdetroit

December 4th, 2016 at 12:23 AM ^

What it should be:

1 Alabama
2 Ohio State
3 Clemson
4 Washington

What it could be:

1 Alabama
2 Ohio State
3 Clemson
4 Penn State

If there is any debate it will come down to Washington vs. Penn State.

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doggdetroit

December 4th, 2016 at 1:33 AM ^

Well, PSU jumping Michigan is irrelevant at this point since Michigan isn't getting into the top 4. They also have 9-3 FSU several spots ahead of 9-3 Louisville, which beat FSU by 43.

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