ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit had the pleasure of seeing three of the Top 4 teams in the College Football Playoff rankings on Saturday. After a monumental weekend of football, Herbstreit released his updated Top 4 rankings on Sunday.
Due to three undefeated Top 10 teams losing, there was a major shakeup. However, the No.1 Clemson Tigers were one of the teams to survive a huge test. The Tigers bounced back after a sluggish start to defeat the Florida State Seminoles, 23-13.
Running back Dalvin Cook took his first carry for a 75-yard touchdown run. The next 59 minutes, the Tigers held the Seminoles to six points. The defensive effort was suffocating in the second half.
The Tigers were impressive enough to become Herbstreit’s No.1 team this week. Barring any setback, the Tigers should stay in playoff contention until their ACC Championship game against North Carolina.
After calling the Clemson game, Herbstreit saw the final three quarters of the LSU vs. Alabama game. It’s safe to say he was highly impressed with the Crimson Tide’s defensive effort as well. They dominated LSU’s running game and held Leonard Fournette in check. Therefore, it was no surprise Herbstreit put the Crimson Tide as his No.2 team. Still, they are the only team with a loss in his Top 4.
The Ohio State Buckeyes followed the lead of Cardale Jones and won their 22nd straight game. The 28-14 win started off as a brilliant defensive effort until letting up a couple of second half scores.
The final team in Herbstreit’s Top 4 rankings comes from Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Cowboys hit TCU with a sledgehammer, and intercepted four of Trevone Boykin’s passes. The win vaulted the Cowboys into the College Football Playoff conversation. Remember, the Cowboys get all of their tough games at home.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Top 4 teams. Here is how Herbstreit’s Top four looked last week.
1. Clemson Tigers
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Baylor Bears, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish both won this week. Although the Irish have one loss, it came against the Tigers, so they might have an inside track to the College Football Playoff.
With Michigan State, LSU, and TCU losing, these teams have to take a backseat for now. All three teams still have tough games remaining, so the rest of the season must play out before we know if their College Football Playoff hopes were dashed in the first weekend of November.
