Ducks zooming up College Football Playoff rankings

This week, the second College Football Playoff rankings were released. The top four teams (Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn, and Oregon) came to no one’s surprise, with the Ducks moving up from fifth a week earlier to crack the potential playoff bracket.

In this ranking system, a committee of 12 experts comes together weekly to create a list of the top 25 football Division I programs in the nation. This committee’s top four teams at the end of the season will advance to the first playoff system in Division I  history, in hopes of making it to the championship game, set for Jan. 12 in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Taking a deeper look into how the selection process works: Each member of the 12-person committee creates a list of their top 25 teams. The members also individually pick their top six programs, in no specific order. Each member’s top six teams are later voted on, one through six, by the committee (one being the best). The three teams receiving the fewest points emerge as the week’s top three teams. The next three teams are ranked in the same fashion.

Thus far, the rankings have been right on, in my opinion. Headlining the top spot are the 8-0 Mississippi State Bulldogs. No one pegged the Bulldogs as a No. 1-ranked program entering the season, but big wins over Texas A&M and Auburn give them a much deserved top seed.

The 8-0 Florida State Seminoles, at No. 2, boast an undefeated season and a victory over a top-ten Notre Dame team. The Seminoles have found themselves behind early in ball games but have time and time again come back behind last year’s Heisman Award winner, quarterback Jameis Winston.

Auburn, currently third in the rankings at 7-1, took down last week’s No. 4 Mississippi (Ole Miss) in a 35-31 nail-biter. Auburn neither jumped nor fell in the rankings after their victory, but made a big statement to the committee that they’re here to stay in contention for the final four.

Sitting at No. 4 is my personal favorite: the Oregon Ducks. Oregon, who suffered a heart breaker against Arizona a month ago, needed a minor miracle to get back into playoff consideration. They got just that, as many top-ranked programs were upset in the following weeks.

The Arizona loss served as an eye-opener for Oregon. Behind the phenomenal play of early Heisman favorite Marcus Mariota, the Ducks are now playing their strongest football of the year.

I do see the top-four playoff roster shaking up before season’s end. Mississippi State and Auburn both have challenging games ahead; both have Alabama left on their schedule. They also have a shot at an SEC Championship game, which will surely have an impact on the final rankings.

Florida State has a somewhat mediocre schedule remaining. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing for the Seminoles. Barring any slip-ups they have a great chance at making the playoff, but their weak strength-of-schedule compared to that of the other three schools might affect their position.

Oregon’s late-season schedule is no walk in the park. The Ducks have to face a ranked Utah team, Colorado, and rival Oregon State University. If Oregon is able to win out, a Pac-12 championship contest will follow.

Outside and looking in are the Michigan State Spartans. Currently fifth in the rankings, the Spartans have an important game against Ohio State University that could force the committee to take a long look at whether or not Michigan State deserves a spot in the top four.

As of right now, I see a couple scenarios playing out:

1. Mississippi State wins out, takes the SEC championship and the top seed; Auburn wins out, defeating a highly ranked Alabama team to move into the second position; Florida State stays undefeated, finishing to take the third seed; and Oregon wins out to finish fourth.

2. Either Mississippi State or Auburn loses, falling out of contention (lone survivor gets top ranking); Florida State wins out, maintaining the number two spot; Oregon wins out, too, moving up to the third position; Michigan State wins out,  moving up to the fourth and final spot.

An exciting finish to the season is nothing short of destiny: The top four teams in the nation, playing in college football’s first playoff in history.

All we sports fans can do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Advocate Staff