College Football Playoff rankings show and prediction thread

After a huge weekend of upsets in the Top 10 (LSU, Washington State, Michigan), and some status quo wins by others (Clemson, Alabama, Georgia), tonight’s CFP rankings are huge. This is the last peek at the committee’s work before the championship games. That said, the leaders in the clubhouse tonight may not necessarily stay that way — Ohio State’s win over Michigan was impressive, but the Sooners have a final shot against a better team: Maybe they’ll play defense for one week. (Announcer Voice: They won’t).

Here’s your open thread. Cast your predictions and rankings below. Here are ours:

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CB:

My personal rankings:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. Notre Dame
6. Oklahoma

Prediction of Committee’s Top 6 for Tuesday:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Georgia
5. Ohio State
6. Oklahoma

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Brent:

Will Be:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Georgia

Should Be:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Oklahoma

The first three are basically locks, with their undefeated records and fairly obvious order of domination. Alabama has looked nearly god-like all season, while Clemson has mostly been impressive as well. Notre Dame’s got a good win against Michigan, but not playing in a conference really hurts their SOS.

The number 4 spot is where it gets interesting. Georgia was #5 last week and won, so they’ll be the top bet. But a one-loss Oklahoma squad just obliterated a top 10 West Virginia team while one-loss Ohio State just did the same to #4 Michigan.

Just like a few weeks ago when LSU shot up the rankings the week before playing Alabama, I think the same happens to Georgia. I think that subconsciously the committee wants to see #1 and #4 in the marquee matchup in what amounts to an extra playoff game for the nation to get to watch.

I personally think that Oklahoma is truly the 4th best team. Georgia is really good for sure, but I don’t think really excel enough in any area to be the best. Ohio State has more talent than anyone not named Alabama, but struggle too much with consistency and random lacks of team cohesion. Oklahoma has a subpar defense, but QB Kyler Murray and their passing game makes the Sooners more dangerous than the other two.

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Josh:

1. Bama

2. Clemson

3. UGA

4. Notre Dame

5. Ohio State

6. Oklahoma

I think the committee has done a fine job of picking the four best teams, and look for it to continue. Notre Dame will be very lucky to survive the final cut next week.

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Erik:

Predicted:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Notre Dame
5. Ohio State
6. Oklahoma

Personal Rankings:

1. Alabama — Working on GOAT status. Even if this team loses in Atlanta, it will be playoff bound.
2. Notre Dame — The most balanced team outside of Alabama, without the mind-numbingly bad defensive performances that Clemson has had. Speaking of...
3. Clemson — Ignore the blowouts against a bad ACC, this team’s defense has been downright crap against competent teams, particularly in the secondary. The Tigers have struggled to put away every above-average team they’ve faced, and have had alternating moments of bad offense or bad defense — South Carolina, A&M, Syracuse, and to some extent Boston College (with their worst defense in a decade). Looking for a first round upset? Here ya’ go.
4. Oklahoma — The defense is absolutely putrid. I’m not sure they could win a shootout with a healthy UCF. That said, the schedule is better than Ohio State’s. This will likely come down to the service academy OOC. And 9-2 Army is a damned sight better than OSU’s 2-9 Navy — and the Committee already has the Cadets checking in at No. 23. Don’t forget, the Sooners also have an opportunity to avenge a 3-point loss this week against the No. 10 team in the country. That will put them over the top.
5. Georgia — There are a lot of warts on this team. Generally everything written about Clemson has held true for Georgia. Their habit of padding the score of close games late obscures that this has been a shakier 11-1 than you’d like to see in Athens. Alabama smokes the ‘Dawgs this week.
6. Ohio State — That was an outstanding win against a Michigan team that seemed to finally have everything finally figured out. Turns out that Jimmies and Joes still matter. Who knew? That said, you can’t reward another four or five-score road loss to another marginal bowl team, not when Georgia lost on the road to a Top 15 team and Oklahoma lost a field goal game to a Top 10 team. A Big 10 that was not as good as advertised and no chance for a convincing statement against an elite team in the B1GCG keeps the Buckeyes home again — and there will be howling in Columbus.

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