CFP Week 9 Rankings Reaction
Notre Dame HAS to go undefeated. With teams like Virginia Tech and Stanford continuing to struggle, the Irish are currently sitting on one top 25 victory (5. Michigan). For a top 4 team, this is very rare and nowhere need the amount they need to be with other 1-loss teams having much better resumes at the moment. A loss would devastate Notre Dame’s chances as they currently only have one more top 25 adversary on their schedule in Syracuse.
UCF has no chance. Another year, same story for the Knights as even though they keep winning, they’ve earned ZERO respect from the committee. A ranking of number 12 for an unbeaten team with no games against any top 25 teams all year certifies UCF will once again miss out on the playoffs
LSU is in a dangerous position. Sitting at #3, the Tigers seem to be looking good even though they had a slip up in The Swamp back earlier this month. However, the combination of the SEC being so strong and Notre Dame playing spoiler, a loss to Alabama is weekend, or any other loss for that matter, would officially eliminate LSU from contention.
Losing in West Lafayette is painful! Ohio State is currently the 2nd lowest ranked power 5 one loss team (West Virginia) and is well behind where they would like to be at this stage of the season. At this point, even winning out might not be enough for the Buckeyes as too many teams ahead of them control their own destiny. OSU needs some help if they want to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
The ACC is DEEP. With 5 teams in the top 25 snd 4 of those positioned in spots 19-25, the ACC can really help out a Clemson team (or even Notre Dame?) who may be in the heart of the bubble if they encounter a loss. Although these all of schools might not be in the final top 25, victories against these teams will be a big morale booster and a statement to the committee if things start to get tight, which they undeniably will.
-Ben Conti
