Cowboys Defense Continues to Propel Pokes in Polls
STILLWATER – The Sunday polls no longer mean anything and are just a precursor to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee rankings that come out on Tuesday. The biggest question with the CFP will be what they do with Alabama that just got by a ranked Arkansas team at home 42-35 and Ohio State that opened up a can of Whoop *** on No. 7 Michigan State. Now that flip flop of Michigan back over Michigan State looks pretty good.
| Associated Press Poll | Ranking | USA Today Coaches Poll |
| Georgia (62) 11-0 | 1. | Georgia (62) 11-0 |
| Ohio State 10-1 | 2. | Alabama 10-1 |
| Alabama 10-1 | 3. | Ohio State 10-1 |
| Cincinnati 11-0 | 4. | Cincinnati 11-0 |
| Notre Dame 10-1 | 5. | Notre Dame 10-1 |
| Michigan 10-1 | 6. | Michigan 10-1 |
| Oklahoma State 10-1 | 7. | Oklahoma State 10-1 |
| Mississippi 10-1 | 8. | Mississippi 10-1 |
| Baylor 9-2 | 9. | Oklahoma 10-1 |
| Oklahoma 10-1 | 10 | Baylor 9-2 |
| Oregon 9-2 | 11. | Oregon 9-2 |
| Michigan State 9-2 | 12. | Iowa 9-2 |
| BYU 9-2 | 13. | Michigan State 9-2 |
| Texas A&M 8-3 | 14. | Texas A&M 8-3 |
| UTSA 11-0 | 15. | BYU 9-2 |
There is little to talk about beyond the top 15 and that especially applies to the Big 12 as only future member Houston is ranked int he rest of the top 25 comming in at No. 19 in the A.P. and then the 10-1 Cougars are No. 16 with the coaches, right behind anothe future Big 12 member BYU.
I believe the CFP Selection Committee will keep Alabama at No. 2 and bump Ohio State into No. 3 as Oregon falls out of contention with 38-7 loss to Utah. The Pac-12 is out of the playoff contention. Cincinnati, with the impressive blowout win over a solid SMU team, moves into fourth. Now the major question is how does all this shake out with all of the above teams and Notre Dame and the Big 12.
Georgia – We believe will stay No. 1 and beat Georgia Tech this week and Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and be the top seed in the CFP.
Alabama – Loses to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and goes to Sugar Bowl
Ohio State – The Buckeyes will beat Michigan and best the Big Ten East winner in the Big Ten Championship Game and will be No. 2 seed in the CFP Playoff.
Cincinnati – If Oklahoma State or Oklahoma falter then you’re in as No. 3 or 4.
Notre Dame – Because of the head to head loss to Cincinnati the Irish need to win out and hope the path clear for a top four spot. If Cincinnati is in, then they would be No. 4. Oklahoma State could pass them on the strength of the wins over ranked rivals in Bedlam and the Big 12 Championship.
Oklahoma State – Cowboys win Bedlam and then beat a top 10 Baylor team in Big 12 Championship then they likely come in at No. 3 or 4.
| CFP Projected Ranking | School |
| 1. | Georgia 11-0 - This is a no brainer as the unbeaten Bullsdog are the best soar far. |
| 2. | Alabama 10-1 - The media is clamoring for Ohio State to move into second after the offensive fireworks vs. Mich. State. |
| 3. | Ohio State 10-1 - The Buckeyes are poised to move and the committee knows that something will shake out in SEC Championship. |
| 4. | Cincinnati 11-0 - The Bearcats do move into the top four, but their days are likley numbered because of opportunity. |
| 5. | Michigan 10-1 - Wolverines did their part to set up battle with the Buckeyes and Big 10 participant in CFP final four. |
| 6. | Notre Dame 10-1 - Irish looming out there is somebody with a path slips up. |
| 7. | Oklahoma State 10-1 - Everything falling right for Cowboys if they keep winning and defense continues to choke out opponents. |
| 8. | Baylor 9-2 - Bears move up as they beat Oklahoma and survived K-State. |
| 9. | Oregon 9-2 - That was a butt kicking from Utah, but they stay ahead of Oklahoma because of win over Ohio State |
| 10. | Oklahoma 10-1 - Oklahoma moves up because it sets up showdown. |
| 11. | Michigan State 9-2 - They drop further because of real butt kicking from Ohio State. |
| 12. | Mississippi 9-2 - Another SEC team primed for NY6 bowl game. |
We find out how close we are on Tuesday evening. Nothing matters unti Tuesday and then one more week until it becomes final.