The only question with PSU and Texas is should they be ahead of Tennessee.
Georgia dropped like a stone as I predicted because they took loss #2 and by 18 points. Miami lost their first game close and dropped to #9...they either play their way in or out of the playoffs in the ACC Championship.
These first two playoff rankings have laid the road in front of Notre Dame in Gold Bricks to an 8, 7, or maybe even 6 seed.
All we have to do is win out...we move up to 8 seed with Tennessee loss this week and then 7 seed the following week with an Indiana loss.
Then the dust from Conference championships settle to determine if we stay at 7 or move up to 6.
ie, if Tosu wins rematch we stay at 7 because Oregon drops to 5 seed and PSU holds at 6. If Oregon wins rematch PSU probably gets 5 seed, we slide up to 6 seed and Tosu gets either 7 or 8 seed depending who else does what.
Sit back, relax, enjoy, and just hope and pray we handle our business these next 3 games.
Excellent analysis. The rankings, right now, do little more than promote controversy and fan interest in the playoffs. Lots of impactful games left on the table, and surely things will change.
ND just has to focus on every play in every game, and a spot seems likely.
I expected them to bump SMU up after Miami loss...that they didn't and dropped Miami to 9th is telling...I now agree only the winner of their CCG gets in.
However, I have another concern...the Big 12! What do you think happens if BYU goes 12-0 then loses a close game to surging Colorado? Colorado would be in with the bye...do you think they would drop 12-1 BYU from Top 5 to all the way out of the playoffs?
There is literally no 2 loss team more worthy of being over a 1 loss team than Bama (who has beaten Georgia and smoked LSU on the road) over Miami who just lost to an ok GA Tech team who ND smoked.
But what did they do...precedent is set.
Its true the committee will not "unduly punish" Tosu for losing their CCG, which is why as a 2 loss team they would still host a first round playoff game, they just wouldn't do it as a higher seed than ND.
The only SEC team who could lose in the CCG and even still have a chance to host would be Texas, as every other SEC team would be taking their 3rd loss, but while 2 loss Texas might host as #8 seed they wouldn't be ahead of ND. Again, they won't unduly punish a 3 loss team for losing CCG, which is why as a 3 loss team they would still be in the playoffs, just not hosting.
You are correct about Penn State though..we should just get used to seeing them seeded ahead of us, as unless they lose another game or struggle really badly vs Purdue and then we absolutely destroy USC, they will remain seeded ahead of us.