The conference championship schedule ends on Saturday – in addition to other regular-season games. As the day progressed, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State were ranked in the top four, with Texas A&M in fifth place in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
The top five have not changed since the College Football Play Playoff Committee began announcing its weekly rankings on November 24.
The committee will announce the playoff selection of its four teams on Sunday (two weeks after the original scheduled) with the playoff semifinals scheduled for January 11 for the new Team Day and Championship game.
But even if the top four teams are familiar, this is far from a normal season, as the epidemic, like so many other things, turned the game upside down.
“Covid has changed all our lives, but he hasn’t been able to change our protocol at CFP,” said Gary Berta, chairman of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, on November 24. “We take a look at each team’s win / loss record. We see the strength of schedule headlines, games are played with common opponents and finally we will focus on those who become conference champions. “
This season, committee teams will rate as many as six sports players and as many as 11 teams at conferences such as the Big Ten, which starts the season in late October, and Pack-12 in early November. The Big 12, Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference began in September.
No. 4 Ohio State did enough?
One of those teams that played just six games is Ohio State. Below 22 players on Saturday, the bookies came back to beat the No. 14 Northwestern 22-10 to win the Big Ten title.
At 6-0, Ohio State, one of many events facing the Covid-19 problems this season, had to cancel its game against Illinois earlier this season, while the other two schools (Maryland and Michigan) had to cancel against the Bookies because of themselves. . Covid-19 anxiety.
“I’m not going to talk about other teams because I think we have enough to talk positively about our program,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told reporters Saturday. “But I will say this: if we get a chance to play someone in the country in a single game, I’m going to take the Ohio State Bookies. I feel strongly about this team. We’re made of an incredible character, and they’ve been a lot.”
Texas is currently looking out for A&M (8-1), whose single loss was 52-24 to Alabama. That loss prevented Agris from reaching the SEC Championship game – a key component for the committee. Top-ranked Alabama (10-0) faces No. 7 Florida (8-2) in the SEC title game on Saturday night.
“Seven straight SEC wins,” said Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, filing his case after defeating Tennessee -13 34–13 on Saturday. “Some schools don’t even play in seven games. Winning seven in a row and getting eight wins in the SEC. I don’t care what league you are in. I don’t care what anyone else says. To select the best four teams, we We are one of them. “
Clemson wins the match again against Notre Dame
Probably half of the playoff field, played in the ACC title game between Clemson and Notre Dame.
Prior to the contest, Clemson’s only loss was in double overtime on the road against Fighting Irish – and that was at a time when Tigers quarterback Trevor Larens was sidelined due to the Covid-19 protocol.
Saturday’s sequel, though, wasn’t close. Led by Lawrence, Clemson won 34-10. Both teams are now 10-1 ahead.
Despite the loss, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly pointed to a resumption of his team as a way to the playoff berth. Long known for his independent status, Notre Dame joined the ACC for this football season during the epidemic.
“We’ve played 11 games,” Kelly said. “That’s important. Playing 11 games, testing your team week in and week out, I think we’re placed without any questions as one of the top four teams in the country.”
Can the Rose Bowl be kept out of California?
The playoff semifinals will be held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. But with the latest restrictions in California, the use of the iconic Rose Bowl site is at stake.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hancock said he hoped the state would allow families to attend the Rose Bowl. Hancock did not give his schedule when the families may need to decide to move the semifinals elsewhere, possibly without permission.
“Given the reality of 2020, we always reserve the right to make the decision as late as possible,” Hancock said. “For example, what happens if the state of California is completely shut down and no games are allowed? So, we’re keeping an eye on the situation, but we’re considering playing that semifinal in the Rose Bowl.”
Can a team rule out a potential playoff venue if families are not allowed to attend?
“I’m not sure we’ll be able to play in the playoffs if we don’t have parents,” Kelly of Notre Dame told reporters on Friday. Kelly endorsed moving the semifinals to a different location in the Rose Bowl.
The national championship game will be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
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