Saturday ends the program of the conference championship – in addition to other games of the regular season. Entering this day, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio took the top four places – in that order – in the College Football Playoff rankings, with Texas A&M in fifth place.
The top five have remained unchanged since the college football committee began launching its weekly rankings on November 24th.
The committee will release its four-team playoff selections on Sunday (two weeks later than originally planned), with the playoff semifinals scheduled for New Year’s Day and the championship game on January 11th.
But even if the first four teams become familiar, this was far from a typical season, as the pandemic turned the sport, like many other things, seemingly upside down.
“Covid changed our whole lives, but he didn’t change our protocol at CFP,” said Gary Barta, chairman of the football college selection committee, Gary Barta, on Nov. 24. the power of the program face to face, games played with regular opponents and, finally, we will look at those who become conference champions. “
This season, the committee will evaluate teams that have played only six games and up to 11 – with conferences such as Big Ten starting the season in late October and Pac-12 in early November. The Big 12 Conference, Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference began in September.
Ohio State no. 4 did enough?
One of those teams that has only played six games is Ohio State. On Saturday, at 22 players, the Buckeyes came from behind to defeat No. 14 Northwestern 22-10 to win the Big Ten title.
At 6-0, Ohio State, one of many programs facing Covid-19 problems this season, had to cancel its game against Illinois earlier this season, while two other schools (Maryland and Michigan) have had to cancel against the Buckeyes because of their own Covid-19 Concerns.
“I’m not going to talk about other teams because I think we have enough to talk about our schedule,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told reporters on Saturday. “But I’m going to say this: If we get a chance to play anyone in the country in one game, I’m going to take Ohio State Buckeyes. I feel strong about this team. We’re made of an incredible character and they’ve been through so much. “.
Currently, outside is Texas A&M (8-1), whose only loss was to Alabama, 52-24. This loss prevented Aggies from reaching the SEC championship – a key component for the committee. The top Alabama (10-0) faces Florida’s No. 7 (8-2) in the SEC title game Saturday night.
“Seven straight SEC wins,” Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said, citing his case after his team defeated Tennessee 34-13 on Saturday. “Some schools haven’t even played seven games. They win seven in a row in the SEC and win eight overall. I don’t care what league you’re in. I don’t care what anyone else says. If you want to pick the best four teams, we are one of them “.
Saturday’s ACC title game between Clemson (9-1) and Notre Dame (10-0) could cover half of the four-team playoff field. Clemson’s only loss came in the double overtime on the road against the Irish fighters – and then it was Trevor Lawrence, the Tigers quarterback, who was ruled out because of the Covid-19 protocol.
Could the Rose Bowl take place outside of California?
The playoff semifinals are scheduled to take place 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 could be jeopardized.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hancock said the hope is that the state will allow families to attend the Rose Bowl. Hancock did not give a timeline on when a decision should be made to potentially move the semifinals elsewhere if families are not allowed.
“Given the realities of 2020, we always reserve the right to make decisions as late as possible,” Hancock said. “For example, what if California closes completely and doesn’t allow any games? So we’re paying close attention to the situation, but we intend to play that semifinal at the Rose Bowl.”
Could a team refuse a playoff spot if families are not allowed to participate?
“I’m not sure we’ll play in the playoffs if my parents can’t be there to be honest with you,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly told reporters on Friday. Kelly supported moving the semifinal to the Rose Bowl to another location.
The national championship game is scheduled to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.