Kentucky beats the Louisville Cardinals 41-38. We are going to a bowl.
Congrats for Kentucky! Curious who they'll play and where.
Minnesota earned eight wins this season so they're going bowling, too.
Right now some predictions are that Minnesota will play in :
- Holiday Bowl vs Washington State
- Music City vs. Arkansas
- Music City vs. Georgia
- Music City vs. Tennessee
- Holiday Bowl vs. Utah
In terms of national championship, the conference title games are coming up.
- SEC, Alabama vs Florida
- Big Ten, Wisconsin vs Penn State
- ACC, Clemson vs Virginia Tech
- PAC 12, Washington vs Colorado
- MAC, Western Michigan vs Ohio
- Conference USA, Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky
- Mountain West, San Diego State vs Wyoming
Also, the Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will play in a de facto Big 12 Championship game.
1. Alabama 12-0
2. Ohio State 11-1
3. Clemson 11-1
4. Washington 11-1
5. Michigan 10-2
6. Wisconsin 10-2
7. Penn State 10-2
8. Colorado 10-2
9. Oklahoma 9-2
10. Oklahoma State 9-2
11. USC 9-3
12. Florida State 9-3
13. Louisville 9-3
14. Auburn 8-4
15. Florida 8-3
16. West Virginia 9-2
17. Western Michigan 12-0
18. Stanford 9-3
19. Navy 9-2
20. Utah 8-4
21. LSU 7-4
22. Tennessee 8-4
23. Virginia Tech 9-3
24. Houston 9-3
25. Pittsburgh 8-4
So my guess is, if Alabama, Clemson and Washington all win their title games, then Ohio State will get in over the Big Ten Champion. However, if Clemson or Washington lose, there could be two Big Ten teams in the playoff.
I have to say, though, it would be a real shame if Western Michigan were to win their conference title game and not get into the playoff.
What happens if they win their conference championship, then a New Years bowl and go undefeated, but without even a chance to win a national championship. I know there are strength of schedule arguments, but if that's the case, why not just an entirely new division for college football.
By that logic, 2004 Utah, 2006 Boise State and 2010 TCU would have been out of the playoff, too, because of their schedules. I just don't find it fair to those players, they win all their games, do everything they are asked, and never get a chance to play for a national title.
In my view, they should expand the playoff to eight slots. Five slots for the Power Five conference champions, a Group of Five school with the best record (this season Western Michigan) and the remaining slots for at large teams that are really good. That way it makes sure all of the Power 5 teams are in and gives a chance for smaller schools to get in, plus it won't exclude a team like Ohio State that didn't make it to the title game based on their loss to Penn State.
Edited by Lid, 30 November 2016 - 03:15 AM.