Despite multiple good wins and a single loss on the road, Utah and Devontae Booker (23) are somewhat overlooked in the Playoff picture.(Photo: Jennifer Nicholson, USA TODAY Spor) The second ranking released by the College Football Playoff selection committee last fall featured Alabama, Florida State and Oregon — three-fourths of the eventual field — inside the top five. Though chaos came during the year’s final weeks, the Playoff was nearly set. Nearly, but not quite. For the eventual national champion, the push for the Playoff began in earnest in early November: Ohio State, No. 14 at this point a season ago, steadily climbed the rankings in advance of the committee’s final meeting in December. The Buckeyes were No. 4 in the final ranking; you know what happened next. It seems likely, at least, that at least one or two of the current Playoff frontrunners eventually cement their place in the field. It could be Clemson, which has the easiest road to an undefeated finish. Or Alabama, which has already faced its stiffest tests. Maybe even Notre Dame, thanks to an opportunity against Stanford to end the regular season. …
Continue Reading: Three Playoff top 25 teams that could make Ohio State-like leaps
