Forde's Fab Four: It's all SEC West vs. Big Ten in latest projected playoff field
Every week, I will play Selection Committee member, take a look at the College Football Playoff picture and offer my bracket: Forde’s Fab Four. Feel free to disagree.
Three weeks in, there is major change in the Fab Four: a new No. 1, two new teams in the field and just two conferences represented.
COTTON BOWL: No. 1 seed Mississippi vs. No. 4 seed Ohio State
First, some love for the Rebels, who vaulted from outside the bracket to the top spot by scoring the biggest victory of the season to date: at Alabama on Saturday, in a game where Ole Miss got some lucky breaks but also never trailed. That big skin gives Hugh Freeze’s team renewed hope of winning an SEC West championship that has eluded the program since the league split into two divisions way back in 1992. Even with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil out, Mississippi has some players who rank among the very best in the nation at their position: defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, receiver Laquon Treadwell and just about everybody in a ball-hawking, sure-tackling secondary.
But the biggest improvement over last season could be at quarterback, where junior-college transfer Chad Kelly is a better playmaker than Bo Wallace – and thus far much less prone to forehead-slapping errors. Kelly ranks second nationally in passer rating. Next up: hosts Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1 in the SEC) on Saturday.
Now, about the Buckeyes: concerns – about quarterback play and overall offensive identity – nagged through the first two games. After a narrow escape at home against Northern Illinois on Saturday, the concerns escalated from nagging to shouting. Ohio State turned the ball over five times against the Huskies, with starting QB Cardale Jones throwing two interceptions and backup J.T. Barrett throwing one. While the controversy bonfire gained oxygen, the running game suffocated. The Buckeyes plodded to 162 rushing yards, with no runs longer than 13 yards. Through three games, Ohio State has outscored Virginia Tech, Hawaii and NIU in the first half by just 11 points and has put up a total of 38 first-half points. Not what was expected of a loaded defending champion, but still one of the four best teams in the land. Next up: hosts Western Michigan (1-2) on Saturday.
ORANGE BOWL: No. 2 seed Michigan State vs. No. 3 seed LSU
The Spartans did what good teams do, taking care of business the week after a landmark victory. The potential hangover game was against Air Force, and Michigan State got out to a 28-7 first-half lead before cruising to a 35-21 victory over a decent opponent. Mark Dantonio’s team is among the nation’s most fastidious with the ball, committing just two turnovers so far in three games while taking the ball away seven times. To date, the Spartans’ defense hasn’t been what it was in recent years under Pat Narduzzi – they’re giving up 24.3 points per game, on pace to be the most since 2009, and 414 yards per game, on pace to be the most since 1980. But that should improve in the next couple weeks. Up next: hosts Central Michigan (1-2) on Saturday.
[ThePostGame: How Notre Dame could be big headache for playoff committee]
LSU joins Ole Miss in an SEC West invasion of the Fab Four. The Tigers are one of just two teams nationally to be 2-0 in league play and 2-0 within their division (Georgia is the other, in the SEC East), after winning at Mississippi State and then stomping Auburn in Death Valley. Those are two quality wins – although Auburn is leaking prestige by the week. Still, it was an authoritative victory that showcased the Heisman Trophy candidacy of sophomore running back Leonard Fournette (19 carries, 228 yards, three touchdowns). LSU hasn’t yet trailed this season, and in fact has led by double digits in the first quarter of both games. LSU opponents have only scored three first-half points on the season. Up next: at Syracuse (2-1) and its injured-ravaged quarterbacks Saturday.
Dropped out: Alabama, Texas Christian.
Also considered: TCU, Notre Dame, UCLA, Oklahoma, Florida State, Georgia.
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