Pat McAfee reveals his updated College Football Playoff First Four In, First Two Out after Week 9
Pat McAfee revealed his top four teams in college football ahead of the College Football Playoff rankings reveal.
With Week 9 in the books, and a clearer picture on the best teams, McAfee had a logical top four and provided his first two teams out. It seems like there are differing opinions once you get past the top two teams in the country.
McAfee joined Tuesday’s edition of First Take and revealed his rankings.
1. Georgia
McAfee: “A wise prophet in Ric Flair once said ‘to be the man you gotta beat to man.’ They’re the back to back national champions I understand the new team, new outfit, new quarterback and yada yada yada but that program is the back to back national champs. They’re number one until I see something that says they’re not.
“Also Carson Beck new quarterback, very tall, handsome, had his best game without the best player in football this past weekend. Feels like Georgia is going to do their thing.”
2. Ohio State
McAfee: “Number two, I got Ohio State only because Ohio State’s beaten Notre Dame and Penn State. They’ve had to prove it a couple of different times throughout the season, young quarterback in Kyle McCord, getting used to Marvin Harrison Jr. here at the college level.
“Their defense is top five and points, yards, red zone, third down I think everything. They are a stacked team. I like them.”
3. Michigan
McAfee: “Michigan at number three. (Jim) Harbaugh’s last year, probably feels like it, it seems … I guess this is a massive cheating scandal, so I like that Michigan’s good. I think their team is good without cheating as well. And this is the last Harbaugh run, they’re at three.”
The NCAA investigation will tell the tale. But until there’s a resolution, Michigan will likely continue to dominate everyone in its path this year.
4. Florida State
McAfee: “At number four, Florida State. I had them at six on Saturday, then they went and had their best game against Wake while the number four team, I had Oklahoma had their worst game against Kansas. So I like Florida State. They’re undefeated. They’re playing their best football right now.”
Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Trey Benson and more? Yeah, this is a loaded team and they’re proving the preseason hype correct, so far.
5. Washington
McAfee put Washington and Alabama as his first two teams out of the rankings at the moment. Washington is currently the top team in the Pac-12 while Alabama is likely the second best to Georgia, and could meet the Bulldogs for the SEC title.
Washington features Heisman Trophy winner Michael Penix Jr. and the quarterback could very well carry the team to the playoff. He has the talent around him to do so.
6. Alabama
Alabama is an interesting spot considering its only loss is to out-of-conference foe Texas. Since then, the Crimson Tide are unbeaten and defeated every SEC opponent.
Nick Saban and company get LSU this weekend and that’ll be the biggest challenge within the division. A win year boosts the resume and all but assures Alabama a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
The College Football Playoff Rankings reveal is set for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night on ESPN and it’ll be the first look at the remaining team’s paths to the final four.