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The playoffs in college football have dramatic needs. The debate will be raging next week. The title matches of the Big Ten and Big 12 conference next Saturday have now major ramifications, which could determine the last place in the last four.
The dazzling explosion of Michigan in the state of Ohio created this plot, setting up a dispute between Ohio or Oklahoma that Georgia would upset Alabama in the SEC Championship game. But I believe there is a simple solution: if and only if, the Buckeyes rout Northwestern, ranked 19th by the playoff committee next Saturday in Indianapolis, and prove that the performance was not affected.
They proved that, with the 62-39 throws of the Wolverines portfolio, ranked fourth, their "A" game deserved a playoff spot, a handful of batons to come. It was a performance that the Sooners, defensive options, were not able to perform, needing a remarkable offensive power virtually every week to stay in contention.
Resumes are similar. Both won a win over two ranked opponents, one loss, six wins over a team of over 0.500 or more, and several horrific wins. Neither one nor the other has an important game outside conference proper. Oklahoma's 48-45 loss to No. 14 Texas is a better defeat than the Ohio State, with an embarrassing setback of 49-20 on Purdue, a six-game winning streak. But Michigan is a much better victory than anything Oklahoma can boast, which is currently the win of 59-56 on Friday against No. 13 West Virginia.
The idea of the playoffs is to take the top four teams. It's the state of Ohio, a better conference that seems to be improving over the years. Do not forget that the Buckeyes have manhandled a good Michigan State team, 27-7, on the road before the brittle win last weekend at mediocre Maryland.
Oklahoma has dropped at least 40 points in each of its last four games, allowing 524 yards to three wins for Kansas. The unit allows 32.8 points per game. Alabama could hang 70 on the Sooners.
That's not to say that the Ohio state defense is a juggernaut. The loss of star line player Nick Bosa (main muscle operation) lowered his cap and the Buckeyes were exposed by Maryland and Purdue. But they showed their abilities against Michigan. The 39 allowed points are not indicative of the performance. An escaped scored a goal and the Wolverines scored two touchdowns in the lost time.
This is reminiscent of 2014-15, when the Ohio State returned from 16th place in the middle of the season to claim last place in the playoffs and win the national championship. This team had a bad defeat early, against Virginia Tech, which was not ranked, and convinced the committee of explosions against Michigan and Wisconsin.
This team can follow this model. Blow to the northwest, show that the rout of Michigan was the sign of a developing power rather than a blip, and the state of Ohio should be the choice. The Buckeyes would be mine, if that were to happen.
Night of Harb
Once the game became out of control and it was clear that Michigan was going to lose again against Ohio State, I started thinking about Jim Harbaugh's future.
The favorite son does not get fired in Michigan, especially after raising the program to three-year double-digit wins in four years. But he did not meet expectations, especially in big matches, without a win against Urban Meyer in four attempts. The Wolverines have not yet claimed a Big Ten East crown nor reached the playoffs.
He could still return to the NFL – the Jets will almost certainly be on the market for an offensive coach – but he does not seem to be the kind of offensive innovator that has become so popular in the league. It's no secret to anyone. We know that Harbaugh's intense style is about people. He rarely stays in one place for long.
In many ways, this game was a referendum on Harbaugh. Michigan had won 10 consecutive games, was among the highest ranked defensemen in the country, and Ohio State was down. Instead, wolverines' favorites left a total of points in the regulation, calling into question Harbaugh's entire mandate. He is in a strange place, good but not good enough.
Wait & USC
The simplest solution was to look for another head coach, but USC Sports Director Lynn Swann did not choose the easy way out. He decided to keep Clay Helton, a gesture that took courage. When Helton replaced Steve Sarkisian in October 2015, he became the fifth different coach of the Trojans in less than five years. This is not a way to launch a winning program. Helton may not be the right guy – USC is not eligible for the cup this year after winning 11 games last season – but he needs more time to prove if he does it or not.
Top 10
1. Alabama (12-0) (Last week: 1)
Rumors of slipping seem ridiculous now, after Alabama has treated his rival at Iron Bowl, Auburn, as a poorly equipped training partner, pounding the Tigers, 52-21.
2. Clemson (12-0) (2)
Dabo Swinney can rest his starters while winning the ACC Championship game. In front of Pittsburgh, the ACC's rib champion with five losses will be as stressful as a melee for Clemson.
3. Our Lady (12-0) (3)
Notre Dame was very unimpressive in Saturday's tight victory against USC. You also have to play in the playoffs. Both can be true.
4. Georgia (11-1) (5)
The run begins to buzz, scoring four consecutive games of at least 285 rushing yards, and Georgia will have to be fatal to take a chance against Alabama in Saturday's SEC championship game.
5. State of Ohio (11-1) (8)
Where was this team all year? By beating Michigan, 62-39, and beating their bitter rivals for the seventh consecutive time, the Buckeyes looked like one of the country's top teams.
6. Oklahoma (10-1) (7)
Two-handed tackles are better than what we saw recently from the Oklahoma defense, which averaged 47.2 points and 585.2 yards per game in the past month.
7. Central Florida (11-0) (6)
McKenzie Milton and Central Florida deserve better. They should have a chance to play for a title and not have to finish this season without their leader, who has injured his knee in a rash in South Florida.
8. Michigan (10-2) (4)
Blame Jim Harbaugh. Blame the ranked defense first. Blame who you want. Michigan's defeat against Ohio State was a failure for everyone in corn and blue.
9. LSU (9-3) (9)
Ed Orgeron blames the officials to add a second to the countdown. LSU had seven extra time to win. This is not the case.
10. Florida (9-3) (NR)
There have been some failures, including this ugly loss to Missouri, but the first season of Dan Mullen must be considered a success. He has won his last three games and is far from guiding the Gators to their first season of 10 wins since 2015.
Fall: Washington State (10-2)
Heisman watch
(in expected finishing order)
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Tagovailoa should work on his speech. If a debate has taken place, it's over now, having set an Alabama record with six touchdowns – five in the air – and produced 350 yards total in the Auburn rout.
QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Her second 300-yard pass and 100 yards on the ground came at an ideal time: she led Oklahoma beyond West Virginia for her best win of the season.
QB Dwayne Haskins, State of Ohio
Pack your bags, Dwayne. A trip to New York should be in your future after setting a Big Ten record for most touchdown passes in a season with 41, six coming Saturday against Michigan.
QB Will Grier, West Virginia
Another spectacular performance, another loss. Grier pitched for 539 yards and scored five touchdowns, which does not matter, as his defenseless defense remained inept in a flat defeat at 59-56 against Oklahoma.
QB Gardner Minshew, Washington
Heisman hopes the former senior will have nothing to do after crushing his biggest game, scoring a total of 152 yards and two interceptions in the loss to Washington.
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