Football Playoff Contenders; Big 12 Review; Okla. State Impressive; Alabama Crushes LSU

Alabama, Oklahoma State, Clemson and Notre Dame were impressive Saturday as viable teams to make the final four this year to contend for the mythical National Championship.  Other major players also held serve with wins, maybe not as impressive, but good enough to keep their hopes alive for the two New Year’s evening games that will give us our two National finalists.

Oklahoma State was too much for the Texas Christian University defense as Cowboy quarterback Mason Rudolph tossed five long touchdown passes (354 total yards in the air) for a 49-29 blowout win over the Horned Frogs in Stillwater.  James Washington, a sophomore, caught five passes for 184 yards and three long scores.  The game wasn’t as close as the twenty point win.  The OSU defense forced TCU quarterback Trevone Boykins into four interceptions, dashing any hopes the All-American had for the Heisman Trophy.

Clemson proved it’s worth with a win over Florida State in ACC action.  The Tigers will be in ACC Championship game and have an inside tract to the final four. They hold a big win over the Irish as their other major accomplishment. I personally rank their defense up with Alabama and Oklahoma State.  The national media and the coaches have them as their number one team in the country and will be a shoe in for the playoffs.

Notre Dame beat Pittsburgh in Pitt and with their upcoming game with Stanford, they also have a positive outlook for the playoffs.  Beat Stanford and the Fighting Irish should be in….same for Stanford if the win out.  My money would be on the Irish and the Trees still have to play a PAC 12 Title game against a worthy opponent.

Everyone loves Alabama and think they are the nation’s best defensive team.  Win out and they will be in the playoffs as they are an SEC team and their brand will bring a huge national television audience to the table.  To be truthful, Alabama, Notre Dame and Oklahoma all have an advantage because of brand and in this political environment that is significant.

My final Four for the playoffs (today) would be Alabama, either Stanford or Notre Dame,  Clemson (and they should stay undefeated), and either Ohio State, Baylor, or Oklahoma State, with Ohio State getting in if all things are political.  The Big 12 will be left out in the cold again.  Ohio State does have Michigan State, Michigan and Iowa to beat and are susceptible to lose one of those three. The Buckeyes are not as good as last years National Championship team. In the Big 12, an undefeated OSU or Baylor would take the Ohio State seed if they can run the table and go undefeated. If Oklahoma wins out, they would be the replacement.

Final Four Prediction for 2015: Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State

Those ready to jump in (in not particular order at this time):  Oklahoma State, Baylor, Iowa, Stanford, Oklahoma, LSU, TCU, Florida, Utah

Fred’s Top 25

1. Oklahoma State

2. Clemson

3. Ohio State

4. Baylor

5. Iowa

6. Houston

7. Oklahoma

8. Alabama

9. Notre Dame

10. Michigan State

11. Stanford

12. TCU

13. Utah

14. LSU

15. Navy

16. Michigan

17. North Carolina

18. Florida State

19. Washington State

20. UCLA

21. Florida

22. Wisconsin

23. Memphis State

24. Temple

25. USC

Best Team Performance of the week:  Oklahoma State

Worst Team Performance of the week:  LSU

Best Performance of the week:  Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State

Worst Performance of the week:  The replay officials that made the call in the Michigan State/Nebraska game that allowed the NU receiver to go out of bounds and come back in to win the football game.

Above the Nebraska/Michigan video

Big 12 Rankings

1. Oklahoma State

2. Baylor

3. Oklahoma

4. TCU

5. West Virginia

6. Texas Tech

7. Kansas State

8. Iowa State

9. Texas

10. Kansas

Above Featured Photo:  Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington (28) catches a pass in front of TCU safety Nick Orr (18) and carries it in for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)