Beginning in 2014, a playoff selection committee will determine which four college football teams play for the national title. Some are skeptical of the committee, so we — the Elvii of college football — have joined together to present our weekly playoff nominations. We call it the T.C.B. Poll.

Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 8

Each week, the T.C.B. Poll is an aggregate of all our inputs. Scroll down to see individual selections and opinions.

Also receiving votes: Baylor, Oregon, TCU.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

College Gameday comes to Baton Rouge and The LSU Elvis will be there! Geaux Tigers

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Ole Miss
4. Irish

@AuburnElvis

1. Mississippi State – Their remaining schedule sets up like a dream with an easy opponent before each remaining tough one. Pencil them in for the SEC Championship and a playoff berth after that.
2. FSU – I don’t think they’re the #2 team by a long shot, but this is where they’ll likely end up just because every story needs a good villain to defeat.
3. Ole Miss (or Auburn or Alabama) – If the SEC West’s #2 team only has 1-loss (to #1 MSU), their strength of schedule and quality non-conference wins should get them past an Ohio or Michigan State team without either. (Plus, I think Oregon’ll lose another game soon.)
4. TCU (or Kansas State or Baylor) – I don’t know who it’ll be, but a 1-loss Big 12 Champion will get the fourth spot. (BTW, I think Notre Dame is going to lose at least 1 more game.)

@HawkeyeElvis

I spent Saturday night at the Heartbreak Hotel after Iowa’s loss to Maryland. Unfortunately, Irish Elvis was there with me.

1. Mississippi State – That defense and that QB will carry them a long way yet this season.
2. Florida State – Does anyone outside of Tallahassee like this team?
3. Mississippi – I think both Mississippi schools make the playoff, especially if the Egg Bowl is a close, down to the wire game. Either way, that SEC Title is going to the Magnolia State this year.
4. Notre Dame – I will wait for you to stop screaming. Okay, may I continue? Thanks. The Irish schedule sets up for them to finish the season at 11-1. The Big 12 and Pac-12 are both way too volatile and either of those conference champs are likely to have 2 losses. We might get 2 SEC teams into a playoff, but we ain’t gonna get a third, so no Bama or Auburn (sorry Auburn Elvis). So who does that leave for a 1-loss team in the final spot? How about a team whose only loss was on the road at the undefeated National Champions in a controversial finish? You might even get a rematch on New Year’s Day in a huge bowl. That game would pull HUGE ratings. So chin up Irish Elvis, you may still have a shot at this thing.

The Hawkeyes have a bye this week so I’m headed for some Fun In Acapulco with some Girls! Girls! Girls! and get over these G.I. Blues.

@IrishElvis

1. Mississippi State – They still have a couple games with landmine potential, but they’re unbeaten and have looked like the most complete squad to this point in the season.
2. Florida State – They should have no more challenges up to and including their conference title game.
3. Oregon – I’m not sure why I have such fascination with the quacks out west…perhaps it’s the theory that losing early is beneficial, perhaps they’re still riding Chip Kelly’s coattails in my pompadoured head. Maybe I’m just not convinced we’re going to find a Big 12 team with fewer than two losses. Whatever the reason, I think the Ducks are an attractive option if they carry their lone loss into December.
4. Notre Dame – If there’s any way for a loss to be a positive, it’s this one. To clarify: this loss was *not* a positive for my heart or liver…so no more of that, please and thank you.

With the Elvii LSU and Hawkeye voting in lockstep for all four teams, this week’s poll was all but set. After MSU and FSU, there’s a yawning chasm in the TCB Poll voting for the final two playoff spots. We will see no more than 2 undefeated teams by the end of the year, which means there’s going to be a whole passel of one-loss teams (and maybe even legitimate two-loss teams?). Buckle up over the next month, college football fans — the TCB Poll is about to be All Shook Up.

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IrishElvis

Staff Waiter, #HLSrecap Inventor

Powered by SC schadenfreude, husband to Mrs. IrishElvis (not pictured), rabble rouser. TCB.

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