Despite the fact defending national champion Florida State is still undefeated but ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the top four looked pretty solid.
Truth is, it doesn't matter where you are in the final four as long as you are in the final four.
Alabama's jump from No. 5 to No. 1 was almost to be expected as it took out previously unbeaten and No. 1 Mississippi State, which fell to fourth, which is about right.
Oregon remained No. 2 because of its "quality" loss at home to Arizona.
TCU slipped from No. 4 to No. 5 while Baylor, which handed the Horned Frogs their only loss, remained No. 7.
The selection committee rewarded Ohio State for its 31-24 victory over Minnesota by moving it up two spots to No. 6 and putting the Buckeyes -- and the Big Ten -- in the final four argument even though they lost earlier this season to Virginia Tech, which is 5-5.
At this point the top four teams decide if they remain there. All they have to do is win.
That won't be easy for Alabama, which still has to host Auburn, and Mississippi State, which travels to Ole Miss. Those are huge rivals of the Tide and the Bulldogs, and they would love nothing more than to spoil their bid for the playoffs.
The nightmare for the SEC, the best football conference in America, would be if Alabama and MSU lost a game. That could make it very difficult for the conference to get a team in the bracket if TCU, Baylor and Ohio Sate all finish the season with one loss.
...
There are 62 teams that have reached six victories, making them eligible for one of the 78 spots available among the 38 bowl games.
There are 22 teams with five victories and at least two games remaining.
Some of those are members of conferences that already have more bowl-eligible teams than league tie-ins with bowls. The Sun Belt could be among those conferences. It has three bowl tie-ins but already has three teams that are bowl eligible and two others with five victories.
It's also worth noting that if the Arkansas Razorbacks (5-5) win one more game, they will be bowl eligible. That would mark the first time in history that every team from one division would be eligible for a bowl game. It also would define the balance found in the SEC West.
...
One of the oldest college football rivalries takes place Saturday in Boston but most of America doesn't care, which is a shame.
Yale travels to Boston to take on Harvard in a game that debuted in 1875. Even though both schools turn out more doctors and lawyers than professional football players, these two academic giants are serious when they compete against each other in anything.
There will be a local connection in this year's game, too.
Andrew Flesher, No. 2 in the Harvard program, is No. 1 in the hearts of Dora Jean and Greg Flesher and is the dependable place-kicker for the Crimson.
The Episcopal Collegiate graduate has had a very good season, having made 7 of 10 field goals and 35 of 38 extra points (1 was blocked). He accounted for 10 points in Harvard's 34-24 victory against Penn.
This will be for all or part of the Ivy League championship with the Crimson 9-0 and Yale 8-1. Dartmouth is also 8-1, which includes a loss to Harvard and a victory over Yale.
To give you an idea of the importance of this game, Harvard Political Review, written and edited by the students, has a story on the school's website about the significance of the rivalry.
On the same website is a warning that parking for Saturday's showdown is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yale leads the series 65-51-8, but Harvard has won 12 of the past 13 games.
Saturday's game will be watched very closely by graduates of both schools, and one set of very proud parents from Little Rock.
Sports on 11/20/2014