If both Clemson and Pitt win this Saturday, the Clemson game likely becomes another Top 20 matchup. If Pitt wins that game, playoffs are most definitely back on the menu. What most people don't realize is that the ACC is strong enough this year to send 3 playoff reps. Lousiville did our schedule a favor by beating Clemson and becoming another "quality" opponent before we play them. That almost certainly will be another Top 20 matchup if both Pitt & L'Ville win out (especially taking into consideration poll inertia). If SMU beats an undefeated Miami squad in the ACC championship, and Pitt wins out, that would almost guarantee 3 teams in, mainly because Pitt would have earned a spot. ACC very well could end up as the 2nd best conference this year.
The committee cannot disregard one-loss ACC teams in favor of 3 loss B1G/SEC teams. The SEC is in danger of only sending 3 teams to the playoff. Pitt fans need to root hard for Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee to win out (though UT & UGA play each other). Pitt is also benefitting from the Big 12 being down and Colorado potentially having 3-loss Cincinnati/Texas Tech be their "best" win. If Cincy pulls off an upset versus ISU or KSU, that almost immediately gives Pitt a leg up on the 2nd and 3rd best Big 12 teams from a resume perspective.
The Big Ten man....seriously it needs to be talked about how top-heavy this conference has become. Outside of Oregon, PSU, OSU, and Indiana, every B1G team has 3 losses. The conference has no depth and those four teams have truly benefitted from light schedules. The first good team that Indiana will play is Ohio State. Ohio State and Oregon have earned playoff spots so far with big wins. If Indiana beats OSU then I think they earn one too. But man PSU, who have they beaten? Pitt has a better win in a 6-2 Syracuse team than anything they have. PSU will still get in though because of their brand and TV ratings.
Thank god Syracuse beat a ranked UNLV, that is also Boise State's "best" win. This levels the playing field a bit, and ultimately helps Pitt. Once Army gets boat-raced by Notre Dame (like Navy) then that will end any prospect of another non-P4 team taking a bid. Notre Dame is honestly a pretty scary x-factor in this entire scenario. We need them to be upset in one of their final 4 games.
The committee cannot disregard one-loss ACC teams in favor of 3 loss B1G/SEC teams. The SEC is in danger of only sending 3 teams to the playoff. Pitt fans need to root hard for Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee to win out (though UT & UGA play each other). Pitt is also benefitting from the Big 12 being down and Colorado potentially having 3-loss Cincinnati/Texas Tech be their "best" win. If Cincy pulls off an upset versus ISU or KSU, that almost immediately gives Pitt a leg up on the 2nd and 3rd best Big 12 teams from a resume perspective.
The Big Ten man....seriously it needs to be talked about how top-heavy this conference has become. Outside of Oregon, PSU, OSU, and Indiana, every B1G team has 3 losses. The conference has no depth and those four teams have truly benefitted from light schedules. The first good team that Indiana will play is Ohio State. Ohio State and Oregon have earned playoff spots so far with big wins. If Indiana beats OSU then I think they earn one too. But man PSU, who have they beaten? Pitt has a better win in a 6-2 Syracuse team than anything they have. PSU will still get in though because of their brand and TV ratings.
Thank god Syracuse beat a ranked UNLV, that is also Boise State's "best" win. This levels the playing field a bit, and ultimately helps Pitt. Once Army gets boat-raced by Notre Dame (like Navy) then that will end any prospect of another non-P4 team taking a bid. Notre Dame is honestly a pretty scary x-factor in this entire scenario. We need them to be upset in one of their final 4 games.
