Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett seen running past Minnesota defenders hopes the Buckeyes can leap over other teams into the College Football Playoffs.

When determining the top four for the playoffs, conference championships are a factor. However, how much weight should they be given? This is an especially important question now that the title games are coming up. Personally, I would rank a one-loss Mississippi State team, that finished second in the SEC West, ahead of a one-loss Ohio State team, that was Big 10 Champion or two-loss Georgia, Missouri, UCLA or Georgia Tech teams that pulled an upset and won their respective conference title game (at this point, either Missouri or Georgia can still win the SEC East). I could no longer continue to rank Florida State number one after a series of close calls in recent games. I felt that Alabama was the best team a couple of weeks ago but stayed with Florida State at the top out of respect for their undefeated season. However, as the close wins mounted for the Seminoles I had to make a change.

1 – Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC)
2 – Florida State (11-0, 8-0 ACC)
3 – Oregon (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12)
4 – TCU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12)
5 – Mississippi State (10-1, 6-1 SEC)
6 – Baylor (9-1, 6-1 Big 12)
7 – Ohio State (10-1, 7-0 Big 10)
8 – UCLA (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12)
9 – Georgia (9-2, 6-2 SEC)
10 – Michigan State (9-2, 6-1 Big 10)
11 – Kansas State (8-2, 6-1 Big 12)
12 – Arizona State (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12)
13 – Arizona (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12)
14 – Wisconsin (9-2, 6-1 Big 10)
15 – Missouri (9-2, 6-1 SEC)
16 – Auburn (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
17 – Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
18 – Georgia Tech (9-2, 6-2 ACC)
19 – Marshall (11-0, 7-0 Conf. USA)
20 – Clemson (8-3, 6-2 ACC)

5 to Watch – Oklahoma (8-3, 5-3 Big 12), Minnesota (8-3, 5-2 Big 10), Louisville (8-3, 5-3 ACC), Colorado State (10-1, 6-1 MWC), Boise State (9-2, 6-1 MWC)
Dropped out – USC (7-4, 6-3 Pac-12), Nebraska (8-3, 4-3 Big 10), Duke (8-3, 4-3 ACC)

Email Rock Hoffman at Rock@footballstories.com