Today marks the first time the College Football Playoff Committee will release its playoff rankings.
Last season, only one of the original four were left at the end of the season. These rankings will come out every week from now on, culminating in the final four football teams in the playoff.
Here’s who I think deserves to be in the four-team playoff:
No. 4 – LSU
With LSU coming off a bye week and Clemson performing well the last two weeks, LSU is fighting an uphill battle.
However, the Tigers will be battling the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in arguably the biggest game of the season.
In my opinion, the winner of the LSU/Alabama game this weekend will be guaranteed a spot in the playoff.
In the meantime, LSU fields the best player in the country in sophomore running back Leonard Fournette. Fournette has carried the Tigers to their 7-0 record, running all over the SEC.
With the combination of stout defensive play and a portable, efficient offense, the Tigers will be tough to beat. Alabama is no joke, though, especially at home.
No. 3 – CLEMSON
Clemson has been on upset alert for the past two weeks. I have been waiting for them to lose control of themselves, as they always do, against teams they should beat.
However, the past two weeks, Clemson has blown out Miami and put up 56 against a good NC State team.
This Clemson team looks as good as ever and they finally appear to be at the top of the ACC.
Seven different Clemson receivers have gained at least 100 yards through the air, while eight have caught a touchdown. With running back Wayne Gallman performing well also, the Tigers are a dangerous offense.
Clemson is also playing tremendous defense, allowing just 17 points per game. This Clemson team seems legit and ready to take the ACC title in 2015.
If the Tigers can defeat the Seminoles this weekend, a team they have not beaten since 2011, expect them to show the rest of the nation they are legit.
No. 2 – BAYLOR
Baylor has been the victim of possibly the most devastating injury in college football this season. The loss of junior quarterback Seth Russell has crippled the chances of Baylor running the table and defeating TCU on Thanksgiving Friday.
However, true freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham takes over the reins of Art Briles’ explosive offense.
With one of the nation’s top offensive lines as well as a top five running game, the Bears have an offense that can protect the young signal caller.
The Bears have arguably worst defense of all the top four but they have been steadily improving and applying pressure up front. If they can better themselves in the secondary, the Bears will be a tough challenge for any team.
The Bears have one of the toughest remaing schedules in all of college football, starting with Kansas State this Thursday, and if they can run the gauntlet and capture their third consecutive Big 12 title, expect them to be at, or near, the top of the playoff standings.
No. 1 – OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes stay at the top of the standings due to their talent and last year’s national title. However, if Baylor and Clemson continue to nip at their heels, Ohio State could lose this spot.
Ohio State might make the case for a harder schedule than Baylor for the remainder of the season. The Buckeyes play Minnesota this weekend.
Ohio State also plays Michigan State and Michigan, two rival games that could spell disaster for the Buckeyes’ title defense.
With the Buckeyes at the top of the top in terms of talent, their ceiling is very high. They have been underwhelming this season, but if they can explode like their talent suggests, the Buckeyes are the best team in the nation.
FIRST TWO OUT: TCU (No. 5), MICHIGAN STATE (No. 6)
