This season marks the debut of the new College Football Playoff, in which the nation’s top four teams will be selected. Maneater staff writer Jason Lowenthal gives this week’s predictions for the field of four.
**1. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference)**
It wasn’t easy, but Alabama held off a second-half surge by Mississippi State and knocked off the top-ranked Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide forced junior quarterback Dak Prescott into many mistakes — Prescott had three interceptions — and jumped out to a 19-0 lead. Wide receiver and Heisman Trophy candidate Amari Cooper continued his monster season, grabbing eight passes for 88 yards and one touchdown as Alabama won its fifth straight game since losing to Ole Miss on October 4. The Crimson Tide still have a non-conference matchup with FCS Western Carolina and an Iron Bowl rematch with Auburn, but for now, it’s hard to make an argument against them as college football’s top team.
**2. Oregon Ducks (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12)**
Oregon had a bye amidst all the craziness this week, and it likely served the Ducks well. In addition to Mississippi State falling to Alabama, the Ducks sat back and watched No. 3 Florida State struggle against Miami (Fla.), No. 4 TCU struggle against Kansas and No. 6 Arizona State lose to Oregon State. Some could make the argument that the Ducks should be the top-ranked team behind one of the nation’s most powerful offenses, while others say that Oregon doesn’t deserve to be ahead of undefeated Florida State. I’m taking the happy medium on this one and am sticking Oregon at No. 2.
**3. Florida State Seminoles (10-0, 7-0 ACC)**
Another week, another ugly win for the Seminoles, who continue to find ways to escape upsets. Florida State has won seven games this season decided by two possessions or less, with four of those games coming against unranked opponents. This past week, the Seminoles renewed their rivalry with Miami, and it took a big second half effort to come back against the Hurricanes. Sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston threw for over 300 yards, and freshman running back Dalvin Cook scored the game-winning touchdown with just 3:05 left for the Seminoles. I’ll say it again: Florida State is not one of the top four teams in the nation, but somehow it keeps finding ways to win games. With two games to go before the ACC Championship, it’s hard to see Florida State not making the playoff.
**4. Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-1, 5-1 SEC)**
Mississippi State fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, yet there is no doubt that the Bulldogs are one of the nation’s top four teams. In fact, the Bulldogs are better than Florida State, but I don’t see the committee moving an undefeated team down a spot for a second straight week. Let’s look at the Alabama loss more closely: Although that certainly seemed to be the case in the first half, it’s not like Mississippi State got blown out. It played arguably the nation’s top team on the road and lost by just five points. Although Prescott may have been knocked off the top of the Heisman watch (Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, in my opinion, is the frontrunner), the Bulldogs still deserve a spot in the playoff, and victories over Vanderbilt and Ole Miss will get them there.