On this last weekend of the traditional polling coverage we are about to enter the playoff segment of the college football schedule, and upheaval and questions only remain. Between a string of upsets and a number of upstarts overperforming, there is a lot in play as far as what the NCAA overlords will look at as valid and what needs to be dismissed. 

Tuesday evening, the initial College Football Playoff Committee will release its initial rankings for the postseason, and everybody will be riveted to the results, as nothing else at all will be taking place at that exact same time across the country. Last year the officers went through migraines and flamed messages in their email inboxes in trying to reconcile what to do about FSU. Should they have acknowledged that it was a completely different program without its quarterback, or let them into the finals as a depleted undefeated school? 

This year that gets addressed better as the format will provide the chance for that to shake out as it sees triple the amount of teams qualifying, so those old arguments about who gets into the semi-finals are gone – and are moved down to arguments about who deserves the #11-12 seeds. But while that intrigue swirls Northwest of Dallas in the conference room at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, there are still weeks of play to savor.

Their job will not be made easier after this weekend, as a number of teams poised to participate have been jolted with reality, and others carry question marks with them as they rise in the rankings. First, some fun.

Ohio State 2- – Penn State 13

I hope you were not expecting fireworks because this touted matchup was a typical Big-10 trench battle, and the Buckeyes commanded the line of scrimmage. They took care of the game by sheer force, with no less than 40 running plays and a defense that closed the door on Drew Allar while not allowing a runner to reach 50 yards. Penn State had three trips in the Red Zone that amounted to three points and the only touchdown came when (as Tim Walz would say) they ran a pick-6. Coach James Franklin has Penn State looking solid, but not great. He sports a 1-11 record against Ohio State, and just 1-13 against teams ranked in the top-5.

South Carolina 44 – Texas A&M 20

For one half it was a thrilling game. Then the Gamecocks just took over as the Aggies withered. South Carolina opened up a 14-point lead but then A&M woke up and took control, rolling to a three-point lead and tied at the half. But when running back Le’Veon Moss went down with a knee injury, their offense looked lost, and defensively the Aggies simply could not tackle anyone. Big plays dominated the game and A&M was shut out in the second half. QB LaNorris Sellers was routinely bouncing off of defenders, running for over one hundred yards and constantly being hit in the backfield -- yet never once being sacked.

Georgia 34 – Florida 20

The Gators are striving to turn the season around but then saw QB D.J. Lagway go down with an injury and the Georgia defense took control. Florida led by 10 at the half Carson Beck had three interceptions for the third time as the Dawgs offense remains an issue. Beck recovered to have a 300-yard 2-TD game. 

Miami 53 – Duke 31

Former UM head coach Manny Diaz returned to Miami leading Duke and it became a typical Hurricane performance with Cam Ward outperforming the lax defense. Duke carried an 11-point lead in the 3rd quarter, but that is almost where Cam Ward wanted them. He guided Miami to 37 second-half points as he threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns.

Texas Tech 23 – Iowa State 22

The Cyclones' dream of a postseason berth took a severe hit in a thriller in Ames. Favored by more than two touchdowns, Iowa State had to rely on a 44-yard strike from Rocco Becht just ahead of the 2-minute warning to take the lead. However, they failed on the two-point conversion and left a lot of time on the clock. The Red Raiders managed to go 12 plays and capped it off with a 5-yard TD to steal an upset.

Louisville 33 – Clemson 21

The Tigers went from a postseason favorite to now a longshot, as they were never in a game played at home. Isaac Brown was the key, ripping off 151 yards for the Cardinals while Clemson shot themselves with failed drives. Four times, the Tigers went for at least ten plays and came away with no points.

Indiana 47 – Michigan State 10

Big news occurred when the Hoosiers were trailing by 10 points in the 1st quarter. (Now Army is the only team remaining to have never trailed in a game.) Following that shock they managed to reel off 47 points to remain undefeated and stay as the surprise of the season. Kurtis Rourke had 263 yards passing and four touchdown throws. This leaves the Big 10 to be led by newcomers Oregon and an overperforming Indiana.

Here are the latest AP rankings, leading into Tuesday night’s new playoffs formation.

1. Oregon

2. Georgia

3. Ohio State

4. Miami

5. Texas

6. Tennessee 

7. Penn State 

8. Indiana

9. Brigham Young

10. Notre Dame

11. Alabama

12. Boise State

13. SMU

14. LSA

15. Texas A&M

16. Ole Miss

17. Iowa State 

18. Army 

19. Clemson

20. Washington State 

21. Colorado

22. Kansas State

23. Pittsburgh

24. Vanderbilt

25. Louisville