1. Bama

2. Ohio St

3. Clemson

4. Wash

5. Michigan

6. Wisconsin

7. Penn St

8. Colorado

9. Oklahoma

10. Okie St

 

No surprises.  Michigan dropped from 3 to 5.  And Colorado moved up to 8 from 9.  You'd have to think at this point Bama and Ohio St are locks.  Have a hard time believing Ohio St would drop all the way from 2 to 5 no matter what happens next weekend.  They have a better record and harder schedule than any of the other Big10 contenders.  And Clemson and Washington appear to be locks if they win their respective title games.

 

Only real question is if Clemson or Washington loses, who would take their place. Looking at the standings, you'd think Michigan is the obvious choice. Especially since they have wins over the 3 teams directly behind them.  But if Penn St wins title, could you take two Big10 East teams but not the team that won the Big10 East as well as title game?  Conference championship would really mean nothing in the eyes of the committee.

 

And I think Colorado has an outside shot of making it... especially if Penn St wins Big10.  On talk radio I kept hearing about whether Big 10 deserves two teams or, assuming Penn St wins title game, if they belong over Ohio St.  But I would argue that Colorado, if they win Pac12, should get in over Penn St.  Same record, harder strength of schedule, and the only common opponent is Michigan... which were in back to back weekends believe it or not.  Penn St lost by 40.  Colorado was beating Michigan at the Big House in the 3rd quarter but then their starting QB got hurt and it went downhill from there.  Penn St's best win is better than Colorado's but aside from that it seems like across the board Colorado has a better resume.  In this scenario, Buffs would instantly jump Wisconsin and Washington.  I think they deserve to be in over Penn St.  And the only question is would the committee move Colorado over Michigan, a team they lost to.  But again, it was a very close game up until CU lost their QB.  And CU is playing well while Michigan is starting to go in the wrong direction.

---