Week 12: The Pit’s picks for the College Football Playoffs

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the first of what will become a weekly installment through the remainder of the regular season, writers for The Pit give you their picks for the College Football Playoffs as of this week.

Brad Jeffers

1. Mississippi State: Although a lot of people would argue that Mississippi State should be ranked number two, it’s hard for me to overlook the number of close calls that Florida State has had already this year. Florida State might have more talent than Mississippi State, but they don’t seem to be as dominant. They’ve already beat three teams that were ranked in the top 10, but still have to face Alabama and Ole Miss on the road.
2. Florida State: Not as impressive as I would have thought they’d be, but they’ve played well enough to be ranked higher than any team that’s already lost a game this year. Their schedule has also been pretty easy, having to only face three ranked teams all year, with only one of those games being on the road. It seems unlikely that the Seminoles will lose a regular season game this year, which will give them a chance to jump to the number one spot if Mississippi State loses to Alabama or Ole Miss.
3. Alabama: If they had a tougher schedule, they would likely be higher on more ranking boards. Alabama might be the most balanced team in all facets of the game, giving them few weaknesses to exploit. They still have to play Mississippi State and Auburn, but they have home-field advantage for both of those games. Should Alabama win out, they will easily take the number one seed.
4. Oregon: By far one of the most entertaining teams to watch, their offense destroyed Michigan State University’s defense as they put up 46 points against the Spartans. Oregon’s weakness is most likely their defense, but when you have the explosive offense they have, there’s not too many teams that can keep up with the Ducks.

Damien Dennis

1. Mississippi State: They are currently undefeated in what is seen as the best conference in college football today. While anything can happen, right now they deserve the top spot.
2. Florida State: The Seminoles are not the same team they were last year, but by being undefeated and on a 25-win streak, they deserve to be at number two.
3. Oregon: They’ve played like a national championship contender and play in a strong conference. Despite having one loss, their wins have been dominant and decisive, even over the likes of Michigan State.
4. TCU: This team has been dominating all year and deserves the spot over what I see as a fifth-ranked Alabama team that may lose this weekend to arguably the best team in the nation.

Garrett Elliot

1.  Mississippi State
2. Florida St.
3.  Oregon
4. TCU

I really struggle to put Florida State second because I don’t believe they are the second best team in the country. But, they have not lost yet and it’s tough to do that. I personally believe that Oregon is the best team in the country and will prove that by winning it all.

Brent Hawk

1. Mississippi State: Spirits remain high for Bulldog fans in Starkville as the SEC’s only remaining undefeated team. A road test next week against Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will show if Mississippi State is the real deal.
2. Florida State: The ‘Noles have found a way to win all their contests thus far, but not in the most convincing fashion. Remaining in-state rivalry games against The U and Florida will be major tests for Jimbo Fisher’s squad, especially in November when the target grows exponentially on last season’s defending champions.
3. TCU: The Horned Frogs have put together a string of quality victories, including a win on the road at WVU. With a favorable schedule remaining, TCU can run the table in the Big XII, but must stay healthy.
4. Oregon: Marcus Mariota knows how to put the ball in the hands of Duck receivers with track speed. A potential Pac-12 title game matchup with upstart Arizona State may be the final line on their CFP resume to convince the committee.
5. Alabama:
   When it was crunch time in Death Valley, Blake Sims marched the Tide down the field, accompanied by a botched LSU kickoff and great play calling by Lane Kiffin. If ‘Bama can knock off the top-ranked Bulldogs, they are back in the final four.
6. Ohio State: J.T. Barrett picked apart the Spartan defense in East Lansing, giving the Bucks the quality win they needed. However, a mediocre Big Ten and the Va. Tech loss remain stains on OSU’s CFP resume. The Scarlet & Grey need outside help from the SEC West to beat up one another before sliding into the final CFP spot.

Sean Cahill

1. Mississippi State: Pretty simple reasoning here: Until they lose, they are going to be the top team. While the SEC West has cannibalized itself, MSU has somehow remained undefeated. They don’t have an easy road to the playoff, but if they can run the table, they will be the top seed and nobody can argue it.
2. Florida State:While the Seminoles have not been the same team as last year, they are still undefeated, even with all the scrutiny around embattled quarterback Jameis Winston. Florida State doesn’t exactly have a murderer’s row remaining on their schedule, but while everyone waits for them to slip up, I don’t think that happens. For now, they’re undefeated, and that earns you an auto-bid.
3. Oregon: The best of the one-loss teams, Oregon didn’t exactly have an easy time with Utah, and if it weren’t for the most bone-headed play in the history of college football, that outcome could have been very, very different. But, the Ducks are on top of the Pac 12 North, they will run the table unless a colossal screw up happens, and enter into a defacto elimination game between them and the Sun Devils. Oregon gets the third spot. 
4. Baylor: Call me old school, but I believe that each member of the playoff should be a conference champion. Right now, if both Baylor and TCU runs the table, Baylor gets the nod. They absolutely dismantled Oklahoma in Norman by over 30 points and hold the head-to-head edge over TCU. While TCU played a slightly more difficult non-conference schedule, the Bears get the nod. 
5. Alabama: The SEC West hasn’t been kind to the Crimson Tide, but after some questionable non-calls in overtime against LSU, Bama still has a pulse. They don’t have it easy down the stretch, but they can rectify that by running the table and taking out Mississippi State and Auburn along the way.
6. Ohio State: Let’s be honest: If the Ohio State team that showed up on Saturday Night is the Buckeye team that is here for the rest of the season, then nobody will want to play them. J.T. Barrett was nothing short of brilliant against Sparty’s defense, carving them up to the tune of over 300 total yards. The defense made adjustments in the second half and shut down a rather potent offense. While Lankford got his yardage, Connor Cook had a night to forget. The Buckeyes will need some help, but they’re right back into the conversation.

Bryan Everson

1. Miss. St.
2. FSU 
3. TCU
4. Oregon
5. Alabama
6. Baylor

Unbeaten is as it says. Mississippi State has the best resume, and Florida State have won 25 games in a row. TCU and Oregon is far less decisive, and I think that’s a game that everyone would be wildly entertained by if it comes to fruition. I just believe that a three-point loss to Baylor on the road isn’t as damaging as a seven-point defeat at home against Arizona. Are those other SEC teams better than TCU or Oregon? Possibly. But this is about resume, not an educated guess.