This is what the selection committee is all about. This is what makes humans, not computers, sitting in a room and debating specifics the key to the whole process.
Case in point: the Baylor Bears.
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Already there were questions about the Bears’ strength of schedule, and now there is this: Star quarterback Seth Russell has a broken bone in his neck and is out indefinitely, pending further evaluation this week.
That means freshman Jarrett Stidham is the team’s No.1 quarterback, and no matter how well he plays — the staff believes he is a future star — Baylor isn’t the same without Russell. The next question: How does the CFP committee rank Baylor when its first poll is released Nov. 3?
A look at this week’s Four In/Four Out:
Four In
1. Baylor: We’re in sit and wait mode. Baylor has a bye week, and then plays the following Thursday at Kansas State. That gives the staff time to get Stidham ready to play, and the Thursday game gives the CFP committee an extra two days to debate the merits of a team that has lost its starting quarterback (if Russell can’t return). Up next: bye week.
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2. Clemson: It’s hard to ignore Clemson now. Only a fully healthy Baylor looks better from the eye test (which, in the end, is the biggest variable used by the selection committee). We all knew how good Clemson could be offensively, but a completely revamped defense playing at a high level has completed this team. Up next: at NC State.
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3. LSU: We’re still a long way from saying the Tigers can throw the ball consistently with quarterback Brandon Harris, thus preventing defenses from keying on stud tailback Leonard Fournette. But until someone stops Fournette, no one is stopping LSU. The Tigers have two weeks to get Harris ready to play the biggest game of the season. Up next: bye week.
4. Michigan State: It’s easy to continue questioning the Spartans and the way they win — but they keep winning important games. The fourth quarter performance against Indiana was impressive, and Michigan State proved it could stay focused with a classic letdown game. Up next: bye week.
Four Out
5. Ohio State: The Buckeyes are beginning to look like a complete team with JT Barrett at quarterback. The defense has given up 17 points combined in the last two games, and Ohio State is playing with more passion and focus. Time to see this team make it count in a critical November stretch run. Up next: bye week.
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6. Alabama: The win over Tennessee may not have looked pretty, but considering the circumstances, as important as any this season. The Tide looks tired after playing eight consecutive weeks, and need a break both physically and mentally. They have flaws, but they keep winning. Up next: bye week.
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7. Stanford: Another week, another win and another step toward righting the wrong of a season opening loss to Northwestern. The defense made a statement this weekend against Washington, and will get significantly tougher tests beginning next week and throughout November. Up next: at Washington State.
8. TCU: The questions at Baylor now shift the focus of the Big 12 leader to TCU, which has struggled defensively much of the season. The Frogs must play better, and as important, must look better doing so. What better way to make a statement than a Thursday night home game (with 10 days of rest) when everyone is watching? Up next: vs. West Virginia.