What we learned from College Football Playoff Rankings in Week 11

The second edition of the College Football Playoff rankings came out ahead of Week 11 and here’s what we learned.

For once, there shouldn’t be too much disagreement about the top four teams in the College Football Playoff Rankings.

Going into Week 11 of the college football season, there are four undefeated teams and they are all in the top four in the College Football Playoff Rankings as they should be.

Georgia is clearly No. 1 and that’s not under debate. If there is one team that could make the playoff without winning a conference title, it’s the Bulldogs. Not only did they beat Tennessee handily, but they also dominated No. 6 Oregon 49-3.

That will be a factor if Georgia loses in the SEC title game, but honestly, it’s hard to see that happening. Ohio State was No. 2 followed by Michigan and TCU.

The next three teams were Tennessee, Oregon, and LSU, followed by USC, Alabama, and Clemson. Of course, there will be plenty of debates about the latest College Football Playoff Rankings but here is what we learned.

LSU could make it as a two-loss SEC champion

This seemed clear to make last week. The Tigers jumped three more spots after being ranked 10th last week in the College Football Playoff Rankings.

Tennessee is ahead of LSU right now. The Vols do have the head-to-head advantage but if the Tigers beat Georgia (and won the SEC), I really feel like they would jump Tennessee.

That’s one scenario where two teams from the SEC could make it and it’s hard to see two teams not winning the SEC heading to the playoff.

What would be really interesting is if TCU won out. Assuming the Ohio State-Michigan winner also ended up undefeated, TCU and that team would be guaranteed to have spots. Then it would be LSU, Georgia at 12-1 and the Pac-12 champion.

Say Oregon won the Pac-12, I think Georgia would get in over the Ducks and LSU would too. So the SEC still has a shot to get two teams in, but it might need TCU to lose.

Alabama isn’t dead yet

LSU could make it as a two-loss SEC champion and if you think Alabama couldn’t, you’re kidding yourself. It’s not likely because LSU would probably need to lose two games but it’s not impossible. If Alabama gets an SEC title game berth at 10-2 and then beats Georgia, how would Alabama be left out?

Would the committee pick 12-1 Georgia over 11-2 Alabama? The Tide would have the head-to-head edge, as well as the SEC title, so no, I don’t think they would. UGA could still make it over Tennessee and Oregon though.

Alabama doesn’t even need TCU to lose really. It would help but a TCU loss is not required and if Alabama over Georgia was the only upset down the stretch (outside of LSU losing games) the top four would probably be Ohio State or Michigan, TCU, Alabama, and Georgia.

But no SEC title game and there is no hope for Alabama, so they need a lot of help. It’s not over yet though.

The ACC is a longshot

Clemson is ranked 10th and North Carolina is outside the top 10 as a one-loss team which tells you it has a lot of work to do. The Tar Heels really don’t have an impressive win and beating a flawed Clemson team in the ACC title game might not be enough to crack the top four unless there is a lot of chaos (2-loss champs in Pac 12 and Big 12).

The fact is, the ACC champion, even at 12-1, would need help to make the playoff, like a lot of it. The whole conference is weak and I could see one-loss Big Ten or SEC teams (without a conference title) getting in over the ACC champion, even if it’s Clemson.

It will be hard for the committee to forget what it saw against Notre Dame.

If Georgia wins out, Oregon controls its destiny

The only way Oregon doesn’t control its own destiny is if an SEC West team upsets Georgia and then the Ducks are trying to fend off the Bulldogs for the last playoff berth.

But if Georgia wins out, then Oregon or USC — if either wins the Pac-12 — would have a great shot to leap one-loss teams such as Tennesse or the Michigan/Ohio State loser.

Oregon’s 49-3 loss hurts but a win over USC could change that perception, just like a win for the Trojans over UCLA and then Oregon or Utah would likely propel that team to the playoff.

I also think every Pac-12 team needs to be a TCU fan because if the Horned Frogs lose, a one-loss Pac-12 champion is just about guaranteed to make the College Football Playoff, as crazy as that might sound.