Hey guys! This is a new series of articles that are coming out to Sports2TheMax, which discusses predictions to the weekly College Football Playoff rankings. Keep in mind, these may not be the accurate rankings for the week, as they are pure prediction and speculation. These will be written/contributed by my good friend, Zach Letson, who is a College Football enthusiast.
CFP Ranking Predictions V.1 By: Zach Letson
THE PLAYOFF PICTURE
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
Next Opponent: LSU Tigers
‘Bama hasn’t given a reason to relinquish the top spot in these rankings; the Tide have dominated in every way and shape thus far this season. Alabama takes on a resurgent LSU team at home this week, but shouldn’t have any issues.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
Next Opponent: South Carolina Gamecocks
This UGA team just keeps impressing every week with their ability to dominate teams, and Saturday’s game against Florida was the latest example. Georgia is the only team that can give Alabama a close run in these rankings at this juncture. Led by a two-headed monster at running back of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, the Bulldogs have easily been one of the sport’s most convincing teams, a metric that weighs large with the College Football Committee.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1)
Next Opponent: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Notre Dame might be turning into College Football’s hottest team; the Irish have been on an absolute tear since Week 2’s one point loss to #2 Georgia with wins at Michigan State, and lately a previously-hot NC State team. The Irish have Wake Forest at home before possibly their biggest test remaining: A trip down to South Florida to face the #9 Hurricanes
- Clemson Tigers (7-1, 5-1 ACC)
Clemson looked like themselves again Saturday, beating a solid Georgia Tech team, but we’ll learn a lot more about the Tigers Saturday when they travel to Raleigh to take on the ACC-unbeaten NC State, in a game that will put the winner in the ACC Atlantic “Driver’s Seat.” Clemson has shown the ability to win in tough environments this season, and will have to continue that trend to hold on to this #4 spot.
- Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 4-0 Big 12)
Next Opponent: @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
As long as the Sooners and the Buckeyes both have only one loss, there is no reason why Ohio State can trounce them in these rankings; it wasn’t long ago that the Sooners handled the Buckeyes easily in Columbus. Oklahoma’s biggest remaining game is these weekend: The “Bedlam” rivalry with Oklahoma State. With a win in Stillwater, the Sooners will add fuel to an already strong argument and impression on the committee going forward.
- Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1, 5-0 Big Ten)
Next Opponent: @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Ohio State established themselves right back in the center of the playoff race with a win against Penn State in come-from-behind fashion. The Buckeyes have a few more tests before a Big 10 Championship berth is in sight, but have bounced back nicely since losing at home to Oklahoma.
Rest of Zach’s Top 15
- Penn State Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1 Big 10)
- Wisconsin Badgers (8-0, 5-0 Big 10)
- Miami Hurricanes (7-0, 5-0 ACC)
- Iowa State Cyclones (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
- TCU Horned Frogs (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
- Virginia Tech Hokies (7-1, 3-1 ACC)
- Washington Huskies (7-1, 4-1 Pac 12)
- Central Florida Knights (7-0, 4-0 AAC)