Will the committee view OSU's home loss to Oklahoma and Alabama's road loss to Auburn as equal?
If so, the discussion then comes down to whether they view the combination of OSU's ranked wins (including a conference championship) and terrible loss to Iowa being more valuable than Alabama's weaker, yet undefeated schedule (outside of Auburn, see above).
With that in mind, I think the committee will obviously be very divided in that body of work, at least on the surface, favors the Buckeyes. However, Alabama has been viewed as one of, if not the best team in the country for most of the season as they dominated. OSU wasn't ever remotely in that conversation, especially following their loss to Iowa.
I actually think it favors Alabama that they didn't play Georgia this year. The argument for not placing two teams from the same conference is much weaker IMO when the two teams haven't played each other.
Ultimately, I think the committee will take the path of least resistance and put Ohio State in there, and then talk of expanding the number of teams in the playoff will begin 30 seconds after the announcement.
Thoughts?
If so, the discussion then comes down to whether they view the combination of OSU's ranked wins (including a conference championship) and terrible loss to Iowa being more valuable than Alabama's weaker, yet undefeated schedule (outside of Auburn, see above).
With that in mind, I think the committee will obviously be very divided in that body of work, at least on the surface, favors the Buckeyes. However, Alabama has been viewed as one of, if not the best team in the country for most of the season as they dominated. OSU wasn't ever remotely in that conversation, especially following their loss to Iowa.
I actually think it favors Alabama that they didn't play Georgia this year. The argument for not placing two teams from the same conference is much weaker IMO when the two teams haven't played each other.
Ultimately, I think the committee will take the path of least resistance and put Ohio State in there, and then talk of expanding the number of teams in the playoff will begin 30 seconds after the announcement.
Thoughts?
