Week 11

Elimination Games Dominate the Month of November

 

   Here we are, November has arrived. This time, the feeling is a bit different than what we are used to in the month of November during the college football season. This time, it's not about the top two teams, or the point spread to see who jumps who based on who they beat week to week. No, this time it comes down to the top twelve teams in the country. Gone are the days of a flawed computer system influenced by multiple polls and formulas to decide on the "top" two teams to play for it all. 

   

    So it's as simple as that, right? No BCS system, so it's going to be easy to get down to the top four, right? Well, that's what many may hope, and it appears as though the situation will take care of itself. With a large group of one loss teams chasing the third and fourth spots (One and Two held firmly by Miss State and Florida State), it all comes down to key games in November. "Elimination Games". Miss State still has a few tests left before they can secure their spot in the playoffs, as do many SEC teams, but Miss State is the only unbeaten left that may be able to afford a loss. That's right, the Bulldogs could sustain a loss in November and still make the playoffs...... Something that other SEC schools don't have in common. 

  Auburn getting a big win over Ole Miss keeps them alive, but elimination games are still ahead. Georgia and Alabama are still on the schedule for the Tigers, and both are away games for the Tigers. Auburn cannot afford a loss in either game if they want to get to the playoffs.

  Alabama faces, perhaps, the most difficult tests in the month of November, and again, they cannot afford a loss. An upcoming road test at LSU will get their November schedule rolling, followed by games with Mississippi State and Auburn. The good news for Alabama? Their toughest games ahead are at home.

  Mississippi State still has some tough games ahead, but as mentioned, I think they can take a loss and still make it as long as they win the SEC Championship. Mississippi State still has Alabama and Ole Miss. Nothing would be sweeter for Ole Miss than to play spoiler for Mississippi State on the last weekend of the regular season. 

   Outside the SEC, there are some teams still very much alive in this hunt for the playoffs. TCU has continued to win and make their push for the top four. Kansas State is on their own run, as well, with their only loss being to Auburn (a game by which Kansas State missed several chances to put Auburn away). TCU and Kansas State square off in Week 11, another Elimination Game for November. 

   Florida State's schedule appears softer in the month of November, but that doesn't mean it will be smooth sailing. FSU continues to flirt with disaster by starting games slow and letting opponents hold an early lead before dominating them in the second half. With Florida gaining some confidence with a dominating win over Georgia, I wouldn't chalk up a win over Florida just yet. What about Miami? Yeah, we know.... Miami has looked rough this season, but like Florida, they appear to playing better football now. Both games are rivalry games, and as the saying goes, "anything can happen in rivalry games". Especially true in what the country saw in the Florida vs Georgia game. Need I remind Florida State fans about what happened when FSU was favored on their own field the last time the Gators came to Tallahassee?  So in other words, EVERY game for FSU (although unbeaten thus far) is an elimination game for them. Unlike Mississippi State, the Seminoles cannot afford a loss in November.

   We have already seen one elimination game take place. Auburn took Ole Miss out of the picture. How far out of the picture is still in question, but for now, it's pretty safe to say they are out. Oregon is another team that can't suffer a loss. The Ducks must win out and win the PAC-12 to have a shot. Their situation is much like FSU, the only difference being FSU is still unbeaten. One could make the argument that Oregon may have the softer schedule between them and FSU, but again, the games have to be played. No game is a given win.

   Michigan State and Ohio State are preparing for their Elimination Game. Ohio State still needs plenty of help, but none of that will matter if they can't take care of the Spartans this week. This game may mean more for Michigan State, as they are looking to get into the playoffs and prove they should've had a shot in 2013. A lot is at stake throughout November..... So many teams fighting for positions that have never been there. This is the dream so many fans have been waiting for.... Teams fighting to get into the first college football playoff. Something many fans never thought we would ever see, but now it has arrived and so far it has lived up to the hype.... And the fun is just beginning.

   This November is shaping up to be the most exciting month of college football that the sport has ever seen. No more counting on a flawed point system and complicated formula. It's all about the wins and the losses. It's as simple as that. While the playoff picture is still pretty foggy, that doesn't mean it won't be done right. Before all the fans jump on "the playoffs need to be expanded to eight teams" wagon, let's see how the four team playoff plays out.  Who knows, you might just like it.

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