In advance of Tuesday night's third rankings reveal (after Duke-Kentucky basketball on ESPN), the FootballScoop staff has laid out how we see the top six teams in the country.
We're in agreement that Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama belong at the top. After that? There's still a lot to sort through.
SCOTT (@FootballScoop)
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
LAST TWO OUT: and
ZACH (@zach_barnett)
No. 1 At this point, they're the No. 1 team until something crazy happens.
No. 2 This team isn't perfect, but that front four and Derrick Henry sure can cover up a lot of flaws.
No. 3 If we're being true to this thought experiment we conduct every week, Ohio State doesn't deserve to be here. Last year was last year, and this year's team has been a bit underwhelming against a soft schedule. (Can anyone imagine Baylor being close with Minnesota and Illinois at the half?) But the Buckeyes have perhaps the toughest closing schedule left in college football. They'll either win their way into this spot, or they won't.
No. 4Notre Dame wins the common opponents battle in a rout. But Notre Dame's best win this season is actually a loss, and Oklahoma beat Baylor in Waco like no one has beaten Baylor in Waco during the Bears' golden era.
LAST TWO OUT: and
DOUG (@CoachSamz)
No. 1 The Tigers remain the top team in the country to me, and looking at their remaining schedule, it's going to take a miracle to pull them off this top spot.
No. 2 The Buckeyes have the biggest test of the year this weekend in Columbus against Michigan State. I'll be in attendance to judge with my own eyes if they pass "the eye test."
No. 3Alabama, along with my latest addition to my group of six teams, may be playing the best football of any team in the country so they get my spot at #3.
No. 4 This spot belonged to another team last week, but after seeing the Irish play in South Bend this weekend, I think they have me convinced that they belong here...for now. Big test in a few weeks against a hungry Stanford squad.
LAST TWO OUT: and
Iowa's undefeated and have knocked off two top 25 teams teams to get there. I think it's time they get some credit. If they can remain unbeaten, it will be interesting to see what they do when they match up against the winner of the B1G East in the conference title game. Then we'll really get an idea of how good the Fighting Ferentz's are.
Oklahoma, along with Alabama, may be playing the best football of the year. Knocking off a Baylor squad and the emergence of Baker Mayfield have me really excited about this squad