Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: 2014 Bowl Games

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

Rank	Team		Record	Weekly Change
1		Alabama	12-1	—
2		Oregon	12-1	—
3		Florida State	13-0	—
4		Texas Christian	11-1	—

Also receiving votes: Baylor.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. TCU
4. Florida State

@AuburnElvis

1. Oregon – The only 1-loss team that got a do-over made the most of it.
2. Alabama – Beating Mizzou like a drum means Bama’s easily the 5-or-6th-best team in the Big 10 East
3. TCU – Sorry, Baylor, your best non-conference victory was Buffalo. And if this were the NFL Buffalo instead of the NCAA Buffalo, that would mean something.
4. Florida State – If Ohio State had lost to any decent team on their schedule, I’d have no trouble putting the Buckeyes in over an undefeated FSU team that struggled with a weaker schedule (and considering OSU’s in the Big 10, that’s saying something.) But at the end of the day, barely beating 3 mediocre, ranked teams, and barely beating 6 not-very-good teams was all you needed to do. Congratulations.

@HawkeyeElvis

1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Florida State
4. Baylor

@IrishElvis

1. Florida State – I dislike just about everything about this team, but if you win all your games and don’t have a horrendous strength-of-schedule (FSU’s is ranked 37th — ahead of TCU, Ohio State, and Baylor), you should be rewarded with the top slot. The actual committee’s conundrum with teams 4-6 began when they demoted an undefeated and defending national champion out of the #1 spot, in my opinion.
2. Oregon – Avenged their sole loss. It doesn’t always work this cleanly, but they made good on their opportunity to clear any remaining doubts.
3. Alabama – a Bama/Oregon semifinal would be a fascinating clash of styles. Bring it on!
4. Baylor -Conference co-champions? Let’s check the results on October 11…

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Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 14

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

Rank	Team		Record	Weekly Change
1		Alabama	11-1	+2
2		Oregon	11-1	-1
3		Florida State	12-0	-1
4		Texas Christian	10-1	—

Also receiving votes: Baylor.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

1. Alabama – Nick Saban has a process to his program. The process is working great and without a huge upset by Missouri in the SEC Championship Game, the Tide will be the #1 team.
2. Oregon – With the Heisman front runner playing great football right now, the Ducks are ready to compete for the National Title.
3. TCU – I don’t see Iowa State taking them down and they seem to be a good 3rd seed
4. Florida State – I have been saying all year, the defending National Champion that is undefeated deserves to be in the top 4 if not the top spot. Had Ohio State not lost their QB they might have jumped Florida State in this poll. I hope they are #4 so we can get a Saban vs. Fisher opening round match.

@AuburnElvis

1. Oregon – They seem to have worked out their early-season OL problems. If they trounce Arizona, they’ll likely be the #1 or #2 overall seed.
2. Alabama – I don’t expect the Tide to have much trouble with Mizzou, a team that couldn’t beat Indiana at home.
3. TCU – The Horned Frogs blasted Texas while Baylor struggled with Texas Tech. Head-to-head says Baylor should be here, but I honestly don’t see the Bears beating Kansas State.
4. Florida State – Will lose to Georgia Tech and let Ohio State or Wisconsin slip into the #4 spot. Hilarity will ensue.

@HawkeyeElvis

1. Alabama – Lots of Head Coaching jobs out there for Kiffin. How long does he stay under Uncle Nick’s wing?
2. Oregon – Speaking of wings, I’m really looking forward to the Ducks playoff opponent.
3. TCU – I had earlier penalized the Frogs for a close win against an inferior opponent. I had to do the same to Baylor. Plus I think the Bears get beat by that old wizard Bill Snyder.
4. Florida State – Almost losing to Florida this year should be grounds for keeping them out of the playoffs altogether.

@IrishElvis

1. Florida State – Undefeated 2 years running? I can’t leave ’em off my top spot.
2. Oregon – If their assistant coaching ranks are poached by vacant head coaching jobs between now & the playoff, then I’ll be nervous. For now, I still trust them (and Marcus Mariota’s efficiency) more than Lane Kiffin.
3. Alabama – Their best is enough to beat anybody, but they’ve shown a startling inconsistency for long stretches during the season (longer than FSU, certainly).
4. Baylor – I have to put them in here over TCU, simply because I think actual head-to-head results should matter more than numerical hypotheticals.

The TCB Poll predicted 3-of-4 teams submitted by the College Football Playoff Committee last week, who (as it turns out) gave too much credit to Mississippi State. Barring any unforeseen results in the final weekend, this should be how the playoff shakes out.

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Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 13

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

Rank	Team		Record	Weekly Change
1		Oregon	10-1	+1
2		Florida State	11-0	-1
3		Alabama	10-1	—
4		Texas Christian	9-1	—

Also receiving votes: Mississippi State, Ohio State, Baylor.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

LSU used to play for the Golden Boot on the last weekend of the season, now we play Texas A&M for a trophy that does not exist yet. Oh well…Top 4 going into the final week:

1. Florida State – Still the defending national champs and only unbeaten should be the #1 team each season. Can the Muschamp crew pull off a miracle to take them down in the final week?
2. Alabama – Iron Bowl has been pretty dramatic the last few years. I hope it continues
3. Oregon – I want to see the Ducks and The Tide go head to head in the first playoff game
4. Mississippi State – Egg Bowl vs. Ole Miss.

On Deck: Ohio State, Baylor and TCU

@AuburnElvis

Rivalry Week is here! Throw out all the records (that work against whatever teams you’re pulling for) and get ready for the chaos.

1. Oregon – Ducks never say die.
2. Bama – Sure, whatever.
3. TCU – If Baylor beats Texas Tech soundly, I’ll be willing to move the Bears over TCU b/c of their head-to-head… but I won’t feel good about it.
4. FSU – Will Muschamp… if ever there was a time for your neurotic, bi-polar, Boom-tastic powers to produce a win Florida has no business getting on their own, it’s now. Vaya con Dios.

@HawkeyeElvis

Well, it looks like I picked the wrong week to give up drinking. Between a close basketball loss on Friday to a ranked team and an even closer football on Saturday to a ranked team, Hawkeye Elvis has a whole Mess of Blues.My Top 4 with two weeks to go:

1. Oregon – Calmly, methodically moving its way through the remainder of its schedule. Kind of like a serial killer.
2. Alabama – Dear Karmic Football Gods/Deliverers of Delicious Irony, how about an improbably Auburn victory on Saturday. It doesn’t have to be as dramatic as last year, but that would be kinda neat.
3. Florida State – Now the Gators beating the Seminoles this week, THAT would be hilarious.
4. Mississippi State – Out goes the Big 12. Clanga’s 5-point loss at Alabama is the best of the 1-lossers.

On deck: Ohio State (how in the blue hell did they lose to Virginia Tech?), TCU (wakes up in a cold sweat at night recalling their loss to Baylor), Baylor (used up all its luck in coming back to beat TCU, none left for the WV loss).

@IrishElvis

1. Florida State – I’m curious if there’s *anything* Jameis Winston could do at this point to be declared ineligible. I mean, he’s running out of shenanigans to pull.
2. Oregon – Prime time road game. Easy way to lose national respect…or solidify your playoff spot.
3. TCU – Will Texas make a late-season surge under Charlie Strong? Will TCU keep their offense in overdrive? Will I escape the clutches of tryptophan to watch this game?
4. Alabama – Methinks the Dark Lord Saban will not leave anything to chance in this year’s Iron Bowl, but my allegiance is with Auburn Elvis.

First 3 out: Ohio State, Mississippi State, Baylor.

The TCB Poll went 3-for-4 last week in advance of the Playoff Committee rankings, with MSU making the Committee’s cut over the Elvii’s pick of TCU.

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Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 12

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

Rank	Team		Record	Weekly Change
1		Florida State	10-0	+1
2		Oregon	9-1	+1
3		Alabama	9-1	+2
4		Texas Christian	9-1	—

Also receiving votes: Ohio State, Mississippi State, Baylor.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

1. Florida State – The defending national champs are the only unbeaten among the big conferences. That should place them at the top.
2. Alabama – Nick Saban will have this team prepared to play in the playoffs
3. Oregon – I want to see the Ducks and The Tide go head to head in the first playoff game
4. Mississippi State – Tough loss on the road to Alabama. They win out then they should have a shot to play for the title in the playoffs.

On Deck: Ohio State, Baylor and TCU.

@AuburnElvis

Every week, just more disappointment and heartbreak. The good guys keep losing and the bad guys keep winning. It’s enough to make a football Elvis turn to booze and pills. Thankfully, we have this poll as a reason to get up Monday mornings and put on the ol’ jumpsuit.

1. Oregon – Kings of the bye week, the Ducks got to sit back and watch the other contenders lose or struggle.
2. Alabama – If they can beat a reeling Auburn team at home in 2 weeks, they’ll win the SEC West, and likely advance into the playoffs after winning the SEC Championship.
3. FSU – Pulled off another characteristic escape against what should be an inferior opponent. Boston College, Florida, and the ACC Coastal Champion are all that stand between this team and the playoffs.
4. TCU – Struggled at Kansas, but it doesn’t matter. Unless Baylor beats OK State and Kansas State, the close Baylor head-to-head result doesn’t sway me.

5, 6, & 7 – Mississippi State, Ohio State, Baylor. The Bulldogs are out unless TCU continues to struggle and Baylor loses. Same situation for the Buckeyes, PLUS Mississippi State has to lose to Ole Miss. If Baylor wins out, I expect they’ll jump into TCU’s spot.

@HawkeyeElvis

I truly feel for my Elvii brethren this week. But that’s why we have another game this week to chase out those demons from the last. Bye-bye Clanga from my Top 4. Out of respect for Auburn Elvis, I will keep Bama out of the top spot.

1. Florida State – One of these days, they will run into a team that keeps a double-digit lead throughout the game.
2. Alabama – Gets a bye week against Western Carolina.
3. Oregon – Wisely chose not to play this week. The Pac-12 title is there for the taking.
4. Baylor – Yep. I’m sticking with the Bears. They own the head-to-head against TCU and they didn’t almost lose to Kansas.

On deck: Ohio State, TCU, Mississippi State.

Here we all thought there would be a fight over 1-loss teams. There could be a BIG fight over 2-loss teams in a couple of weeks.

@IrishElvis

1. Florida State – adios, MSU. Sole undefeated team needs the top spot, no matter how much I loathe their off-field activity or their first half boredom.
2. Oregon – bumps up a spot. Don’t lose focus, Quacks.
3. TCU – I’ll reward you for hanging on against an inferior team this week, if only because a 1st round spread offense playoff on New Year’s Day vs. 2-seed Oregon would be incredible to watch
4. Alabama – toughest schedule to date, so they schedule a D-II opponent (note: it’s never the right time to schedule a D-II opponent). They have a good number of weapons in their arsenal, but they’ll need to avoid a loss in the coming weeks.

First 3 out: Ohio State, Mississippi State, Baylor.

The TCB Poll nailed all 4 teams again last week in advance of the Playoff Committee rankings, transposing only FSU & Oregon. With all the shuffling this week, it will be interesting to see what the Committee presents.

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Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 11

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

Rank	Team		Record	Weekly Change
1		Mississippi State	9-0	—
2		Florida State	9-0	—
3		Oregon	9-1	+1
4		Texas Christian	8-1	+1

Also receiving votes: Alabama, Baylor.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

Only two of my top four from last week survived with Mississippi State and Florida State staying alive but Michigan State and Auburn getting beat….so who moves up to the new #3 and #4 spots?

1. Mississippi State – playing Alabama this week to determine if they continue down the perfect road
2. Florida State – I don’t see Miami pulling off this upset
3. Alabama – playing Mississippi State this week is quite the game
4. Oregon – I guess they will win out but I will be surprised if they win a playoff game

@AuburnElvis

Terrible weekend for the good guys. When’s basketball season start?

1. Mississippi State – Come on, Bulldogs. Don’t let us down. Even at home, Bama’s venerable.
2. Oregon – Looking really good right now. If they keep It up, they’re in.
3. TCU – Should win out and I doubt Baylor will. So, I expect the onetime mid-major to make the playoffs.
4. Florida State – Barring a Miami or Florida upset, the Seminoles will take the 4th spot with the B1G 10 being left out.

@HawkeyeElvis

We creep towards the final playoff spots with about six or seven truly legit contenders.

1. Mississippi State – Clanga is still the king and will cement that role if they can survive Tuscaloosa on Saturday. ‘Bama is juuuuuusst outside looking in pending this matchup.
2. Florida State – When was the last time the entire nation was rooting for Miami?
3. Oregon – Stays in pending a win against Arizona State in the Pac-12 Championship game.
4. Baylor – Is TCU more impressive right now? Undoubtedly. But the Bears have that all-important head-to-head win over the Frogs.

And now for my very special Heartbreak Hotel edition for the four of us. Most heartbreaking losses of the weekend.

1. LSU vs. Alabama – @TheLSUElvis got to meet Tebow, so I guess that’s something.
2. Auburn vs. Texas A&M – You can still have a good season if you beat Bama.
3. Notre Dame vs. Arizona State – A 10-2 finish is still very possible.
4. Iowa vs. Minnesota – Froze my ass off while watching my team get thumped in a trophy game. Living and working in Minneapolis is not going to be very fun this week.

@IrishElvis

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Oregon
4. TCU

I’m leaving my four unchanged again this week. Head-to-head says Baylor > TCU, but I think the Bears have another loss in them yet this year.

On another note: last week the TCB Poll exactly matched the teams & order presented by the College Football Playoff Committee. Which just goes to show you: when you need sage football counsel, always trust 4 men in sequined attire.

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Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 10

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: TCU, Michigan State.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

1. Mississippi State – Dak Prescott had an off week but that might motivate him more down the home stretch to keep the Bulldogs at the top
2. Florida State – unless Florida or their opponent in the ACC championship game pull off a huge upset, FSU appears to be able to hold off and finish undefeated for the year
3. Michigan State – I think they will beat Ohio State and the SEC west teams will all beat each other up and the Spartans will look good as a third seed
4. Auburn – I think Auburn will win the Iron bowl and be put into the top 4…at least there will be a chance for one of our Elvii brothers to win a national title this year

@AuburnElvis

The home stretch. All of the 1-loss and undefeated teams (well, except for Marshall) are making the final push towards the playoffs. The Rebels, Wildcats, and Utes are out. Who’ll be next?

1. Mississippi State – They play UT-Martin this week, then Bama. If they beat Bama, they’ll likely win the SEC. So… no pressure, Bulldogs.
2. Auburn (or Alabama) – If they keep winning against the nation’s toughest schedule, they’ll keep making the top-4.
3. TCU (or Kansas State) – With no more above-.500 teams on the schedule, a TCU victory this week is all they’ll need to finish 11-1 & make the playoffs. Even if Kansas State wins, they still have to visit West Virginia and Baylor.
4. Oregon – The Ducks look really good right now. Of course, they always look good… right until they lose unexpectedly to some Pac-12 team.

@HawkeyeElvis

Nice wins boys! We finally had a weekend where nobody lost! Things are getting moderately clearer in the Hawkeye Elvis playoff picture, with things REALLY coming into focus after this coming Saturday. But for now…

1. Mississippi State – I think it’s pretty clear that Arkansas is going to get SOMEONE. They darn near got Alabama and almost did the same to Clanga. I have the Bulldogs still on track for an SEC Title.
2. Florida State – Every story is only as good as its villain. The Seminoles are this year’s bad guys. Another rally, another win. The rest of the country going to bed mad.
3. Auburn – They are going to have to win out to stay in this spot and stay in the playoffs. One false move and Michigan State or Alabama step into this spot.
4. Oregon – Welcome back quackers! Get through Utah and probably Arizona State and you get the last spot.

Auburn Elvis, enjoy your opponent this week while the rest of us have nail-biters.

@IrishElvis

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Oregon
4. TCU

I’m swapping out TCU for ND this week. Notre Dame alternated between dominance and inconsistency (the latter aided by in-game injuries) against Navy, whereas TCU looked inconsistent early but good enough late against West Virginia. TCU’s schedule strength to date pushes them up to my fourth slot.

I’m sure everyone at ESPN will electrocute me for saying this, but right about now the old BCS system of “#1 vs #2” seems like it would work just dandy this year. Of course, if either MSU or FSU stumble then we’ll be happy to have a four-team playoff.

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Image courtesy @AuburnElvis

Playoff Rankings: Week 9

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: TCU, Michigan State, Auburn, Notre Dame.

TCB Committee Member Comments

@TheLSUElvis

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Oregon
4. Auburn

@AuburnElvis

Each week we get a better picture of who is, and ain’t, playoff material.

1. Mississippi State – Bow down to the dogs, y’all.
2. Alabama (or any other 1-loss SEC West team)
3. TCU – If the Horned Frogs get past West Virginia and Kansas State these next 2 weeks, they’re in for sure.
4. Florida State – Struggling through half their games, FSU is probably the 10th-best team in the nation, yet with their schedule, that’s good enough for a playoff bid. I envy the other playoff team that’ll get matched against them.

@HawkeyeElvis

There are a couple of clear-cut choices, but right now, the Magic 8-Ball says: “Ask again later”.

1. Mississippi State – Sure Kentucky was moderately dangerous but did you ever really feel that Clanga wasn’t in full control? I think they are going to be the only SEC team to make it through unscathed. I can totally see everyone else in the SEC West ending with two losses. And a two-loss team from the SEC is not getting in ahead of a one-loss team from a Power Five Conference (the ACC notwithstanding).
2. Florida State – Speaking of dangerous places, the Seminoles head to one on Thursday night.
3. Michigan State? – I think Sparty has the clearest path (outside of FSU) with just one moderately challenging game left. I think they run the table and get a spot.
4. Oregon? – Let’s say Quack for now. Again, they shouldn’t be challenged the rest of the way and already got their yearly inexplicable loss out of the way.

@IrishElvis

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Oregon
4. Notre Dame

I’m keeping my top four unchanged this week. Mississippi State remains locked in at #1, and Florida State is the only other team unanimously listed.

The SEC West is about to Shake, Rattle, and Roll these next couple weeks, so I’m going to wait another week to see how that goes. Auburn Elvis’ lone vote for Alabama at #2 gets them into the Poll this week (some sort of advance reverse-jinx in preparation for the Iron Bowl, I imagine). We’ll actually get this 1-vs-4 matchup on November 15 when the Bulldogs visit Tuscaloosa. And I notice Hawkeye Elvis has ranked Michigan State over Oregon — the man laughs at on-field evidence to the contrary and does what he pleases. Waiter, I’ll have what he’s having! And a tip of the Hat to LSU Elvis for his Gameday TV time last week…with an assist by Hugh Freeze for trying out out-Miles Les Miles there at the end.

The first actual College Football Playoff Committee results will be released this evening, and we’ll get our first look at how they compare/contrast with Elvis Groupthink. You won’t get any better college football opinions from jumpsuit-wearing pundits than you will right here every Tuesday. Oh, and if you want to see what an eight-team playoff would look like, the “Also Receiving Votes” category would make for a pretty intriguing slate of games.

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