Predictions for second set of CFB Rankings

By Brandon Scalea

Baker Mayfield threw for 598 yards against OK State and emerged as a Heisman favorite.

Tonight at 7 p.m. ET will be the second set of rankings put together by the College Football Playoff Committee.

It was a relatively easy week for the top four, so expect that to remain exactly how it was last week. The bubble teams is where it starts to get interesting, though.

Oklahoma was ranked No. 5 last week, but it's coming off easily its most impressive win of the year — 62-52 over Oklahoma State. In that battle of 7-1 teams, Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield had a career night, throwing for 598 yards and five touchdowns. With Penn State running back Saquon Barkley being shut down the last two weeks, it suddenly looks like Mayfield is the Heisman frontrunner.

Anyway, don't be shocked if the Sooners sneak into the No. 4 spot. Clemson had that fourth spot last week, and the Tigers are coming off a win over ranked NC State. But the team had to come from behind and escape with a 38-31 victory.

Ohio State and Penn State were No. 6-7, respectively, and both teams are coming off bad, bad losses. The Buckeyes were run out of the stadium by Iowa and the Nittany Lions were beaten at the buzzer by Michigan State. PSU will now drop out of playoff contention, probably falling as far as No. 16 in the rankings. I'd drop Ohio State to No. 12.

The Buckeyes aren't necessarily out of the hunt yet, but they'll need a home win against the Spartans to have a slight chance.

With the 6 and 7 spots now open, I'd move Wisconsin to No. 6 and TCU to No. 7. Both teams have a lot to prove still, but each can make their own case.

CFB Playoff Rankings predictions for tonight:

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Notre Dame
4. Clemson

5. Oklahoma  6. Wisconsin  7. TCU

Brandon Scalea can be reached at brandonscalea22@gmail.com or scaleasports@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @brandonscalea.