Tonight the committee will release their first Top 25 rankings. The rankings are based on three things: (1) Strength of schedule; (2) Head-to-head competition; and (3) Conference championships.

Of course, it's too early for final results for head-to-head and conference championships, so take these first rankings with a healthy dose of salt.

But it's going to be interesting to watch the process. As of 10/27/14, there are 2 undefeated teams and 18 1-loss teams.

What's your ranking so far? Who would you put in the playoff? Who are you rooting for?

I've got two kids at Ole Miss, so that's who I'm rooting for. I don't think the loss at LSU means anything. If Ole Miss wins out, they will end up beating Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State. That will put them in the SEC Championship game, and I'm pretty sure that whoever wins the SEC Championship will be in the playoffs.

As of today, I think Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn and Alabama will be the top four, with Notre Dame, Oregon and Ole Miss getting some votes.

Auburn and Alabama play each other, so it's a lock that only one of them has a chance to end up in the playoff. And I think Florida State is going to lose a game along the way (gonna have to be a big upset, though).

I think the Big 12 and the Pac 12 have the best chance of joining the SEC champs in the final playoff brackett, simply because all the SEC teams have to play each other and that's going to eliminate everyone but the champ.

RodeoSchro said:

I don't think the loss at LSU means anything. If Ole Miss wins out, they will end up beating Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State. That will put them in the SEC Championship game, and I'm pretty sure that whoever wins the SEC Championship will be in the playoffs.

Ole Miss can win out, but also has to get by Georgia. If it runs that gauntlet, it will have beaten 4 top-15 teams and are in. But what if they win out but lose in the conference title game?

By then,

Alabama is eliminated (2 losses),
Auburn is eliminated (presuming they lose to Bama)
and Miss State is left standing.

Do the MSU Bulldogs get in? Or do the GA Bulldogs get in?

As of today, I think Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn and Alabama will be the top four, with Notre Dame, Oregon and Ole Miss getting some votes.

That's about right.

Auburn and Alabama play each other, so it's a lock that only one of them has a chance to end up in the playoff. And I think Florida State is going to lose a game along the way (gonna have to be a big upset, though).

I don't think FSU's reckoning will come before the Football Four. Because of their schedule, if they lose, they're out.

I think the Big 12 and the Pac 12 have the best chance of joining the SEC champs in the final playoff brackett, simply because all the SEC teams have to play each other and that's going to eliminate everyone but the champ.

Not so sure about that. Strength of Schedule *could* leave the Big 12 champ or Pact-12 Champ on the outside looking in IF-IF-IF

- ND wins out and in the process beats Louisville. Arizona State and USC.

- MSU wins out but loses to Georgia in the SEC title game.

AND/OR

- The winner of the Alabama-Auburn game finishes the season with only 1 loss.


I could easily see MSU or Ole Miss in the FF if one wins out. I could also see a 1-loss Alabama or Auburn team not make it to the SEC title game but still make the FF, and ND getting in on strength of schedule if they win out, to wit:

1. FSU (if they win out)
2. MSU (undefeated or 1 loss in the SEC title game)
3. Winner of AL-AU w/1 loss
4. Notre Dame

RodeoSchro said:

Tonight the committee will release their first Top 25 rankings. The rankings are based on three things: (1) Strength of schedule; (2) Head-to-head competition; and (3) Conference championships.

Of course, it's too early for final results for head-to-head and conference championships, so take these first rankings with a healthy dose of salt.

But it's going to be interesting to watch the process. As of 10/27/14, there are 2 undefeated teams and 18 1-loss teams.

What's your ranking so far? Who would you put in the playoff? Who are you rooting for?

I've got two kids at Ole Miss, so that's who I'm rooting for. I don't think the loss at LSU means anything. If Ole Miss wins out, they will end up beating Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State. That will put them in the SEC Championship game, and I'm pretty sure that whoever wins the SEC Championship will be in the playoffs.

As of today, I think Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn and Alabama will be the top four, with Notre Dame, Oregon and Ole Miss getting some votes.

Auburn and Alabama play each other, so it's a lock that only one of them has a chance to end up in the playoff. And I think Florida State is going to lose a game along the way (gonna have to be a big upset, though).

I think the Big 12 and the Pac 12 have the best chance of joining the SEC champs in the final playoff brackett, simply because all the SEC teams have to play each other and that's going to eliminate everyone but the champ.

I'm looking forward to this playoff, it's about time College Football got something right for once!

Something tells me Alabama and Florida St. will end up in the Championship game in the end

How 'bout those Rebels?!?

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Auburn
4. Ole Miss

I have an extra ticket for the Ole Miss-Auburn game this weekend!

Abdul said:

I'm looking forward to this playoff, it's about time College Football got something right for once!

Something tells me Alabama and Florida St. will end up in the Championship game in the end

I wouldn't be surprised. If they beat Louisville tonight, it will be smooth sailing for the Noles until the Football Four.

I wouldn't want to face Alabama right now, but their big stumbling block could be Death Valley. LSU is poised to throw the whole thing into chaos if they win out. I think their experience can get them past MissSU and their thirst for revenge will get them past Auburn.

namepeace said:

Abdul said:

I'm looking forward to this playoff, it's about time College Football got something right for once!

Something tells me Alabama and Florida St. will end up in the Championship game in the end

I wouldn't be surprised. If they beat Louisville tonight, it will be smooth sailing for the Noles until the Football Four.

I wouldn't want to face Alabama right now, but their big stumbling block could be Death Valley. LSU is poised to throw the whole thing into chaos if they win out. I think their experience can get them past MissSU and their thirst for revenge will get them past Auburn.

If Alabama runs the table but so does Ole Miss, Ole Miss wins the SEC West on the head-to-head tiebreaker and plays for the SEC Championship.

But if Alabama runs the table yet doesn't win the SEC West, I predict they will still make the four-team playoff. Because you are right - Alabama is playing lights-out right now!

RodeoSchro said:

If Alabama runs the table but so does Ole Miss, Ole Miss wins the SEC West on the head-to-head tiebreaker and plays for the SEC Championship.

But if Alabama runs the table yet doesn't win the SEC West, I predict they will still make the four-team playoff. Because you are right - Alabama is playing lights-out right now!

Both have to play MissU. and I have more faith in the Tide beating MissSU than Ole Miss doing so.

I think several of the non-SEC teams not named Florida State in the top 10 will fall out. And if Bama wins, they're in, even if they lose a tiebreaker to Ole Miss.

Barring a hiccup, they are going to be scary.

I like FSU but they just don't have the defense to keep up with Bama if it came

down to those two plus FSU may have their hands full with Miami. I sure as hell

don't want to see Ole Miss in the final four but they have a rugged defense. I thought

LSU would hang around in this thing but they had the close loss at home to MSU

then the embarrassing loss at Auburn but they showed their mettle by defeating Ole

Miss last year. I hope LSU runs the table and throw the SEC West in total disarray.

I don't like Ole Miss and never have. I hope MSU rips them apart too.