LSU stays in CFP Top10
Published 6:15 am Wednesday, November 28, 2018
- Seven LSU players drafted; TU has two taken Saturday
LSU remains the apple of the College Football Playoff committee’s eye.
Despite losing a historic 74-72, seven-overtime game to Texas A&M on Saturday, the Tigers remained in the top 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings that were released Tuesday night. LSU (9-3) fell three spots from No. 7 to No. 10 in the rankings but staying in the top 10 means that playing in their first New Year’s Six bowl game is still very much a reality for LSU.
For College Football Playoff Selection Committee chair Rob Mullens, LSU’s resume is still too good to ignore.
“I mean, strong résumé,” Mullens said. “Impressive wins over Georgia and Mississippi State. Their losses, although they have three, happened to be the No. 1 team, on the road against the No. 9 team, and 7 overtime game against another ranked opponent. They’ve played five games versus CFP top-25 teams, strong résumé, overall a quality body of work.”
The only three-loss team ahead of LSU in the rankings is No. 9 Florida (9-3), which beat the Tigers 27-19 in October.
The top four in the rankings are Alabama (12-0), Clemson (12-0), Notre Dame (12-0) and Georgia (11-1). Oklahoma (11-1) and Ohio State (11-1) are at No. 5 and No. 6. Michigan (10-2) fell to No. 7 while undefeated UCF (11-0) is at No. 8
Alabama will play Georgia in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game, Clemson will face Pitt in the ACC title game on Saturday and Oklahoma takes on rival No. 14 Texas (9-3) in the Big 12 title game Saturday, while Ohio State faces No. 21 Northwestern in the Big 10 title game the same day.
LSU and Florida will be competing with fellow three-loss teams No. 11 Washington, No. 12 Penn State, No. 16 West Virginia and No. 15 Kentucky, as well as two-loss No. 13 Washington State for those coveted New Year’s Day Six bowl games which this year include the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Fiesta Bowl in Arizona and Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. The Rose Bowl is traditionally a Big 10 vs. Pac 12 matchup so that leaves LSU in the mix for the other three games.
The final College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Sunday.
