0 Shares print The College Football Playoff selection committee has every statistic imaginable at its fingertips, including 128 “team sheets” in their playoff binder that list each team’s overall results, strength of schedule and statistics. There’s also one more very important detail at the top of the page, where it reads “Conference champion” — followed by a yes or no. This just in: Ohio State doesn’t have one this season. Considering how well the defending national champs played in Saturday’s 42-13 dismantling of Michigan, speculation began immediately as to whether Ohio State could still sneak into the Dec. 6 top four with its 11-1 record, the lone loss being to Michigan State. It can, but not without significant help. The selection committee’s protocol certainly allows for it to be considered, and there is no limit on how many teams from one conference can be in the top four. But there is a caveat: The committee may select a non-champion or independent “under circumstances where that particular non-champion or independent is unequivocally one of the four best teams in the country.” Urban Meyer and Ohio State will need some help, but they’ll still have their eyes on the top four. Greg Bartram/USA TODAY SportsUnequivocally as in “clearly,” according to CFP executive director Bill Hancock and selection committee chair Jeff Long. “They’re clearly ahead or they’re clearly better than the team they’re up against,” Long said last week, not referring to any particular team. Neither Hancock nor Long — nor anyone else on the committee or within the playoff organization, for that matter — could possibly define the true value of winning a conference championship until the committee is actually faced with the scenario of considering a non-champion for one of its top four spots. And the only way Ohio State should garner any consideration at this point is with absolute chaos in Saturday’s title games. …
Continue Reading: How Ohio State could overcome a lack of conference title to reach CFP
