College Football Playoff: Projected top 4 after Week 16

4. Texas A&M Aggies (8-1)

The number four ranking will be the most difficult decision for the College Football Playoff Committee once again.

The Committee will ultimately have to decide on a Notre Dame, that was just blown by 24-points or a Texas A&M team, which didn’t play for the Conference Championship title. There was a discussion last week by the Committee on potentially having the Aggies jump the Buckeyes for the fourth-ranking.

There are many reasons for either the Aggies or the Irish to be the final team for the College Football Playoffs. Before this week, the Aggies had a strength of schedule that was ranked ninth in the nation by ESPN while Notre Dame has a strength of schedule that was ranked 42nd in the nation. The Aggies had a strength of record that was ranked third in the nation while the Irish had a strength of record ranked second in the nation before their loss to Clemson.

The Aggies have one of the best losses in the season as their only loss to the Crimson Tide in the second week of the SEC schedule for both teams. That loss by the Irish by 24-point will be the most recent game for the Committee to analyze on. The Aggies played more efficiently throughout the season since their loss to Alabama.

This potential selection by the Playoff Committee makes it clear that every game is important. If the Irish lost by 10 points, then it would be Notre Dame in the final four. Texas A&M has shown they are one of the best four teams in the nation this Saturday.