Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Nov. 26, 2017, 6:42 a.m.

Overall Rationale: Playoff prediction mode activated.This turned out to be a strange week, thanks Auburn. Normally I'd have a "top 8" here with the first four being who I think is in, and the next four being the likely replacements. But I had to go to nine. And some of you may roast me for it because number nine is Alabama. I'll talk about them when I get there.

• Ballot
• Analysis

Rank	Team	Reason
1	Wisconsin Badgers	Undefeated. They have a chance to go into the playoff that way and with a B1G title. Despite their iffy early resume, how can they be denied a spot?
2	Oklahoma Sooners	I will admit to being down on them for a while. But they've done everything right since losing to Iowa State. Beat TCU and they're in.
3	Clemson Tigers	Last week I said I thought Miami could beat Clemson. Now I'm not so sure. But either way, the one loss champ of the ACC is in. Whoever that may be. Right now I'm leaning Clemson.
4	Georgia Bulldogs	The SEC… so much chaos right now. If Georgia wins, and avenges their only loss, they're in. No question. They're good, and beating Auburn would make them "sort of' undefeated in a roundabout way.
5	Miami Hurricanes	With just one loss, if they beat Clemson to claim the ACC title they'd be in.
6	Auburn Tigers	I honestly don't know where to put Auburn. Since losing to LSU they've done nothing but beat the crap out of their opponents (a 12 point win over Bama qualifies I think). I *think* that they'd get in if they beat Georgia. But maybe they don't if it's another blow out. Or maybe another beatdown of Georgia is what they need *to* get in. Maybe they need some additional chaos (TCU over Oklahoma?) to get in. What I do know is that if Auburn does win the SEC, that will create problems for the committee.
7	Ohio State Buckeyes	Ohio State benefited, I think, from Auburn's victory. It opened the door for a two loss P5 champ to make it in. If Auburn beats Georgia and Ohio State beats Wisconsin, then it's down to resume. And I honestly don't know which would be better. I suspect Auburn by just a hair. Then there's TCU should they also beat Oklahoma. See below.
8	TCU Horned Frogs	TCU, likewise, has a shot as a possible two-loss champ thanks to the Tigers. If we're doing resumes then I think TCU's might be the weakest of the three. But if we presume Ohio State and Auburn lose, then the debate is probably between TCU and Alabama and/or the ACCCG loser. And that's a lot of permutations.
9	Alabama Crimson Tide	Just laying here in the tall grass waiting for the right moment to strike. Let's say TCU *and* Ohio State win their respective conferences, maybe that opens up a spot for Alabama. But probably only if Georgia wins the SEC. I really don't think that the committee would even entertain the idea of re-litigating the Iron Bowl.
10	UCF Knights
11	USC Trojans
12	Penn State Nittany Lions
13	Memphis Tigers
14	Stanford Cardinal
15	Oklahoma State Cowboys
16	LSU Tigers
17	Washington Huskies
18	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
19	Virginia Tech Hokies
20	Northwestern Wildcats
21	Michigan State Spartans
22	Boise State Broncos
23	USF Bulls
24	Army West Point
25	Toledo Rockets

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Wisconsin Badgers	0.04
2	Oklahoma Sooners	0.00
3	Clemson Tigers	0.00
4	Georgia Bulldogs	0.32
5	Miami Hurricanes	0.61
6	Auburn Tigers	-0.33
7	Ohio State Buckeyes	0.00
8	TCU Horned Frogs	0.71
9	Alabama Crimson Tide	-1.23
10	UCF Knights	0.00
11	USC Trojans	0.00
12	Penn State Nittany Lions	0.00
13	Memphis Tigers	0.17
14	Stanford Cardinal	0.00
15	Oklahoma State Cowboys	0.24
16	LSU Tigers	0.07
17	Washington Huskies	-1.19
18	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	0.00
19	Virginia Tech Hokies	0.20
20	Northwestern Wildcats	0.00
21	Michigan State Spartans	-0.07
22	Boise State Broncos	2.83
23	USF Bulls	0.00
24	Army West Point	1.21
25	Toledo Rockets	0.00

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Washington State Cougars	1.28
Fresno State Bulldogs	0.19

Total Score: 10.70