Welcome to Week 9, the final round of games before the College Football Playoff selection committee releases its first rankings of the season on Tuesday. We’ll see who gets the early foothold in the top four and see whether they can hang on through the sixth and final ranking on Dec. 8. So who do you like? People have complained about the lack of style points and opponents’ strength in Ohio State’s 8-0 start, but the Buckeyes are a lock for the initial ranking. Clemson and Louisiana State are undefeated, and their chances of getting an early seat at the table appear good. Then you have the Big 12, where the three unbeatens – Baylor, Texas Christian, and Oklahoma State – all play each other in November. Until then, it will be interesting to see how the committee considers strength of schedules in figuring the pecking order among the three. Of course, Baylor has lost its quarterback, Seth Russell, for the remainder of the season due to a neck injury and will go with a freshman, Jarrett Stidham, who makes his first start next Thursday at Kansas State.
Continue Reading: How will the College Football Playoff committee rank the unbeatens?
