It's that time of year — we are eight weeks into the college football season, which means the venerable College Football Playoff committee has released its first rankings.
I can happily say that for the first time since the committee's inception a few years ago, there were actually a few surprises in the rankings. Here they are, in case you missed them:
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Notre Dame
4. Clemson
First two out: Oklahoma, Ohio State
Undefeated Alabama has been No. 1 in the AP and Coaches' Polls since the beginning of the season, so the committee is really making a statement here putting the Bulldogs in the top spot. While Georgia is also unbeaten with arguably a tougher schedule, the Crimson Tide have made easy work of every opponent, including 59-0 and 66-3 beatdowns of Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, respectively.
With only LSU and Auburn left as slight challenges, you can expect Alabama to finish the regular season 12-0 and earn a spot, yet again, in the SEC Championship in Atlanta. Georgia has all but earned the SEC East division title, so a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown is pretty much set to decide who wins the SEC and who gets the spot in the playoff. Despite both teams playing tremendously this season, it would be a long shot to have two SEC teams in the four-team playoff.
Notre Dame has quietly stormed through its schedule after a week 2 loss at home to Georgia, 20-19. Since then, the Irish have dominated rival USC and nationally-ranked NC State. The team still has a very tough road ahead, with road games at Miami and Stanford. If ND finishes the season 11-1 with their only loss to Georgia — especially if the Bulldogs win the SEC — then the team should be a lock for a playoff spot.
Clemson has probably the worst loss out of all the top one-loss teams — to Syracuse a few weeks back. That game wasn't a fluke either, the Orange thoroughly outplayed the then-No. 2 Tigers. But Clemson has impressive road wins over Louisville and Virginia Tech, and a home win against Auburn. As the defending national champion, the Tigers will probably stay at No. 4 if they can win the ACC.
It's interesting to note that there are currently no Big Ten teams in the top four. Penn State had been ranked No. 2 and seemed destined for a national title run after a miraculous road win over Iowa, and a vengeful 42-13 win over No. 19 Michigan. But the Nittany Lions had a fourth quarter collapse to Ohio State, and now the Buckeyes are the favorite to win the Big Ten.
Penn State certainly isn't out of the race, but a lot will have to go right for them to get back into the top four. After all, Ohio State finished 11-1 last season, did not even play in the Big Ten Championship, but still finished the season No. 3.
There are still four weeks left until championship weekend, and right now, it's safe to say that no one is a lock for the playoff just yet.
Brandon Scalea can be reached at brandonscalea22@gmail.com or scaleasports@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @brandonscalea.
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