Nd also beat Clemson. Doesn’t matter who was hurt you can’t just throw that game out. Either one gets smoked by Bama.A&M lost to Bama, on the road, early, decisively.
ND lost to Clemson, on a neutral site, late, decisively.
I have to put A&M ahead of ND.
Florida lost to TA&M and then to a crappy LSU team (prior to losing to Bama). Who do you think would win in a game? TA&M or ND? That's the answer to who is #4.If you go by the eye test, it’s Florida.
I believe 1-3 are locked in. As for ND, they probably will hang on due to the lack of a viable alternative. TA&M is a better team, but can you really match them up with Bama who already destroyed them?1. Bama
2. Clemson
3. Ohio State
4. ND
If you go by the eye test, it’s Florida.
Then we would have 5 undeserving teams in the CFP instead of just 1. No thank you.Really wish they would do the 8 team playoff with conf champs and three wild cards.
How do you know how much ND would lose by? But do you know what we do know? A&M lost by 28 to Alabama.Why so we can watch ND lose to Bama by 40?
I hate to say it but Ohio Stare’s lack of games and interrupted practice time has really hurt that team‘s ability to work out any kinks...but they are the only other team besides Clemson and Alabama to have the individual talent to play at the championship level.
At this point I would put Texas A&M in at #4.
I agree they’re in. They are not one of the four best teams , but they will get the bid .Why ND is a lock in the fourth spot?
1) They are Notre Dame -- Repeat that few times. Doesn't it sound royal?
2) Ratings -- They are a ratings magnet
3) History -- No school has their history. Remember "Win one for the Gipper"
4) Strong Global Fan Base -- Whole world knows Notre Dame Football
5) Elevates the status of CFB Playoffs -- Without ND, it is a jock playoffs.
6) Political Pressure -- Politicians love ND to get Catholic votes.
7) Religion -- They get all the Catholics praying for them.
8) NY Metro -- They own NY Metro; CFB needs NY metro for ratings
9) NBC -- They are on NBC
10) Bloomberg -- They are on Bloomberg radio and always mention them.
Lastly, they were very good this year. Can't penalize them for losing a last game unless it is a rule that you have to win your conference championship. I think winning a conf championship should be a rule.
Clemson was also missing a LB who is a key part of their defense in the first matchup when ND had success. He was back last night and there was quite a difference.How do you know how much ND would lose by? But do you know what we do know? A&M lost by 28 to Alabama.
ND put up 47 on Clemson in the first game. Clemson's backup QB did not play defense (I think). They also beat a ranked UNC, and A&M lost to the only other ranked team on their schedule.
Seth Walder ESPN Analytics
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The Allstate Playoff Predictor's final playoff projections:
Alabama 99%
Ohio State 89%
Clemson 84%
Notre Dame 67%
Texas A&M 34%
Cincinnati 18%
Oklahoma 4%
Notre Dame has a superior resume (per Strength of Record) and is the better team (per FPI) relative to Texas A&M, which is why the model leans toward the Fighting Irish for the fourth spot in the playoff.
C'mon, man. It's ESPiN!!!! Sponsored by Disney, where they live in a fairy tale world.
I know... I know... As Dan Patrick always says, the College Football Playoff is Reality TV looking for ratings, not a legit playoff looking for rankings.C'mon, man. It's ESPiN!!!! Sponsored by Disney, where they live in a fairy tale world.
Yes, but we already know AM would get killed by Bama since they have already. Cincinnati would get killed as well.ND lost to Bama 42-14 and Clemson beat them in playoff 30-3. Have no doubt Bama will score like 48 points vs ND.
Just posted the early William Hill:Now guess the spreads.
Bama -20.5
Clemson -15
Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame will contend for a national championship.
The ESPN College Football Playoffs
DONT EVER CALL IT A PLAYOFF AGAIN.Official now ND is 4. A&M is 5 OU is 6
Alabama ND in Dallas
Clemson OSU in NO