Big Ten Is "Odd Man Out" In Football Playoff

The third installment of the College Football Playoff rankings were probably more to everyone's liking: That means that only one SEC team was in the top four.

Thanks to Texas A&M, Auburn was bounced from their spot at number three, and TCU jumped Alabama for the fourth spot, while the Crimson Tide was the bridesmaid again for a second straight week.

This is how it looks:
1. Mississippi State
2. Oregon (Up 2 Spots)
3. Florida State (Down 1 Spot)
4. TCU (Up 2 Spots) 

Representation from four of the power five conferences in the FBS. The best case scenario.

The Big Ten Conference on the other hand, has Ohio State sitting at #8 in the new poll.

With the Buckeyes win over Michigan State Saturday night, the chances for the conference to have a representative on New Years Day dropped. Ohio State is in that one-loss purgatory. A second loss is pretty much the death nail for every team this season.

Ohio State's 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech (4-6, 2-4 ACC) back in week 2 is going to haunt them into December. Michigan State's first loss came against (2) Oregon, a "good loss" as many would call it.

The Big Ten is an average conference at best. For Ohio State, combining a average schedule, along with games against Navy, Kent State and Cincinnati and a close call against Penn State in double overtime does not help them when making their argument.

The top four this week is an example of the best case scenario for the College Football Playoff in its maiden voyage. But that could all change quickly. The fruit basket could be upset a couple more times leading up to the final polls on December 7th.

Even if there are several changes in the top 4 over the next several weeks, Ohio State will probably find itself sitting on the outside at #5 or #6 in the best case scenario, even if they win the Big Ten Championship.

Either way, two fanbases will be angry on the first Sunday in December. One of them might be wearing Scarlett and Grey.