I was slightly surprised by one selection in the top four of the first CFP poll released Tuesday night. I thought the committee would put Ohio State at No. 4. Georgia and Alabama were definites. No. 3 through No. 7 were a real argument in the committee room.
The committee obviously thinks a lot of Notre Dame. The Irish have lost just once -- by one point to Georgia. The Irish have steamrolled everybody else they have played.
November is going to be interesting. There are playoff games every Saturday beginning this week.
Who you got? Who do you think is going to make it? Who is the sleeper outside the top four who might make a run? My sleeper, of course, is Oklahoma State. But the odds are long against the Pokes. They have to beat Oklahoma this Saturday then probably beat Oklahoma again in the Big 12 Championship game on Dec. 2.
The Alabama-Georgia thing will sort itself out. Georgia still has Auburn and Georgia Tech on the road before meeting Alabama in the Georgia Dome. Alabama still has a trip to Auburn. Auburn may end up being the only team with a pulse Alabama faces the entire regular season.
The mission is simple for Notre Dame and Clemson. Win and you are in in the CFP. Lose and you are out. A Clemson loss in Raleigh would leave just the Palmetto State championship on the Tigers' goal sheet.
Let's get to this week's selections. As always, picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State -2.5 -- They call it Bedlam but it really isn't a rivalry. Oklahoma leads the series, 86-18-7. That's right. 86-18-7. Oklahoma's longest winning streak in the series is 19 games. So, when the Pokes beat the Sooners, it's a big deal. I write this just about every week about Oklahoma State, but I am anticipating a shootout. Oklahoma State's defense has been playing better. Loser is out of the CFP picture. I think the Pokes rise up and get it done. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Georgia Tech at Virginia +10 -- Georgia Tech got shut down in Clemson last week. Virginia got off to a great start but has hit a wall. I think 10 points is too much for the Jackets. Pick -- Virginia
South Carolina at Georgia -24.0 -- There are some South Carolina fans who think they are going to Athens and win. Don't make me laugh. Dawgs in a laugher. Pick -- Georgia
Clemson at N.C. State +7.0 -- This is it for the Tigers. Win and all you have to do is beat wounded Florida State next week to get to the ACC Championship game. A win keeps you in the playoff picture. Lose and it's back to a regular old bowl. A Wolfpack win will most likely send State to Charlotte for the title tilt. State knows it should have won at Clemson last year. Outside of Alabama, the Pack was the most physical team Clemson played in 2016. The Tigers have not been a good cover team and they have developed a bad habit of getting a two-touchdown lead early and then sitting on it. Clemson must be aggressive from the start Saturday and pour it on or the season is done. Pick -- Clemson
Penn State at Michigan State +8.5 -- Penn State choked last week in Columbus, surrendering a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions better be ready this week or their playoff run is finished. Give me the points. Pick -- Michigan State
Iowa State at West Virginia -2.5 -- The Cyclones have victories over Oklahoma and TCU. They are one of the biggest stories in college football this season. West Virginia is a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. This is feeling like a couch burning Saturday. Pick -- West Virginia
Virginia Tech at Miami FL +2.5 -- The Hokies have been on a roll since losing to Clemson. Miami has been a last-minute drama every Saturday. The Hurricanes are still undefeated, but even Miami head coach Mark Richt doesn't know how his team has done it. This one is for the Coastal Division. I like the Hokies. Pick -- Virginia Tech
LSU at Alabama -21.0 -- Step right up LSU and take your beating. Tide keeps rolling to Atlanta. Pick -- Alabama
Arizona at Southern Cal -7.5 -- During its current four-game winning streak, Arizona has scored 45 or more points in all four games. Rich Rodriguez has gone from hot seat to Pac 12 Coach of the Year candidate. Quarterback Khalil Tate has been running RichRod's high-powered offense to near perfection -- 48.8 points and 567 total yards per game in October. Arizona is 3-0 on the road. Southern Cal has been inconsistent. Pick -- Arizona
Syracuse at Florida State -5.0 -- Before the season started, no one would have given the Orange a chance to win in Tallahassee. No one. Even though the Orange isn't favored, I believe Syracuse is the better team. Pick -- Syracuse
Last Week -- 3-7
For The Season -- 44-45-1
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