College Football pick'em 2017- Gameplay and scoring thread

[Alabama_Indy10]

Oregon State
Ohio State
Colorado
Washington
Iowa
Texas
North Carolina
South Carolina
Michigan
Northwestern
Alabama
LSU
UCLA
West Virginia
Tennessee

[Alabama_Indy10]

September 9

Cincinnati @ Michigan

Louisville @ North Carolina

Pittsburgh @Penn State

Indiana @ Virginia

TCU @ Arkansas

Nebraska @ Oregon

Hawaii @ UCLA

Auburn @ Clemson

South Carolina @ Missouri

Oklahoma @ Ohio State

Georgia @ Notre Dame

Stanford @ USC

Minnesota @ Oregon State

Utah @ BYU

Boise State @ Washington State

Houston @ Arizona

San Diego State @ Arizona State

[Alabama_Indy10]

Last minute edit: Give me Utah over BYU

[Alabama_Indy10]

Air Force at Michgan

Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh

Baylor at Duke

Clemson at Louisville

Wisconsin at BYU

Tennessee at Florida

SMU at TCU

Purdue at Missouri

Oregon State at Washington State

Colorado State at Alabama

LSU at Mississippi State

Kansas State at Vanderbilt

Kentucky at South Carolina

Arizona State at Texas Tech

Texas at USC

Stanford at San Diego State

Mississippi at California
 
 
 

[Alabama_Indy10]

No way is Georgia beating Alabama in the SEC Championship game.

Yeah, Kentucky will beat Alabama.

No, Mississippi State will beat lose to Vanderbilt Florida.

Which would likely mean a 12-1 Mississippi State and an 11-1 Alabama (neither of which would be a Conference champion) would have solid arguments to go to the Playoff. 

If we beat Georgia, Auburn, Alabama (!) and everyone else on our schedule, and then turn around and lose to Florida of all teams, I would blow a gasket. 

On the other hand, it would be classic Mississippi State.

I believe Mississippi State is one of if not the greatest threat to Alabama in the SEC West

[Alabama_Indy10]

September 21
Temple at South Florida

September 22
Virginia at Boise State
Utah at Arizona

September 23
NC State at Florida State
Texas Tech at Houston
Texas A&M at Arkansas
Ohio at Eastern Michigan
UCF at Maryland
Alabama at Vanderbilt
USC at California
TCU at Oklahoma State
Toledo at Miami(FL)
Duke at North Carolina
Louisiana Tech at South Carolina
Cincinnati at Navy
Michigan at Purdue
Syracuse at LSU
Mississippi State at Georgia
Penn State at Iowa
Florida at Kentucky
Southern Illinois at Memphis
Notre Dame at Michigan State
Washington at Colorado
UCLA at Stanford

[Alabama_Indy10]

September 28

Texas at Iowa State


September 29

Miami(FL) at Duke

Nebraska at Illinois

USC at Washington State


September 30

Indiana at Penn State

Oklahoma State at Texas Tech

California at Oregon

Arizona State at Stanford

Iowa at Michigan State

Maryland at Minnesota

Northwestern at Wisconsin

Vanderbilt at Florida

Houston at Temple

Syracuse at NC State

Georgia at Tennessee

Florida State at Wake Forest

Eastern Michigan at Kentucky

Miami(OH) at Notre Dame

Mississippi State at Auburn

Marshall at Cincinnati

Memphis at UCF

South Carolina at Texas A&M

Clemson at Virginia Tech

Mississippi at Alabama

Northern Illinois at San Diego State

Colorado at UCLA

[Alabama_Indy10]

October 5

Louisville at NC State


October 6

Memphis at Connecticut

Boise State at BYU


October 7

California at Washington

Washington State at Oregon

Wake Forest at Clemson

Iowa State at Oklahoma

Penn State at Northwestern

Georgia at Vanderbilt

Mississippi at Auburn

Eastern Michigan at Toledo

Illinois at Iowa

Duke at Virginia

Florida International at Middle Tennessee

West Virginia at TCU

Miami(FL) at Florida State

LSU at Florida

Notre Dame at North Carolina

Air Force at Navy

Minnesota at Purdue

Maryland at Ohio State

Arkansas at South Carolina

Colorado State at Utah State

SMU at Houston

Kansas State at Texas

Alabama at Texas A&M

Michigan State at Michigan

Wisconsin at Nebraska

Arizona at Colorado

UCF at Cincinnati

Stanford at Utah

[Alabama_Indy10]

I've had a really bad week.

[Alabama_Indy10]

October 13

Clemson at Syracuse

Washington State at California


October 14

Arkansas at Alabama

Auburn at LSU

Georgia Tech at Miami(FL)

Texas A&M at Florida

Florida State at Duke

Michigan at Indiana

TCU at Kansas State
 
Texas Tech at West Virginia

BYU at Mississippi State

South Carolina at Tennessee

Eastern Michigan at Army

Old Dominion at Marshall

Oklahoma at Texas (in Dallas)

Purdue at Wisconsin

Virginia at North Carolina

Northwestern at Maryland

Vanderbilt at Mississippi

Toledo at Central Michigan

Navy at Memphis

Wyoming at Utah State

UT San Antonio at North Texas

Tulane at Florida International


Ohio State at Nebraska

Cincinnati at South Florida

Utah at USC

Michigan State at Minnesota

UCLA at Arizona

Boise State at San Diego State

Washington at Arizona State

Oregon at Stanford

[Alabama_Indy10]

October 19
Louisiana-Lafayette at Arkansas State

Memphis at Houston


October 20
Marshall at Middle Tennessee

Colorado State at New Mexico


October 21
Oklahoma at Kansas State

Oklahoma State at Texas

South Florida at Tulane

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech

LSU at Mississippi

Maryland at Wisconsin

Iowa State at Texas Tech

Iowa at Northwestern

Temple at Army

Louisville at Florida State

Akron at Toledo

Boston College at Virginia

Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan

Tennessee at Alabama

Syracuse at Miami(FL)

Indiana at Michigan State

UCF at Navy

Illinois at Minnesota

Oregon at UCLA

Kentucky at Mississippi State

North Texas at Florida Atlantic

Michigan at Penn State

USC at Notre Dame

Arizona at California

Wyoming at Boise State

Fresno State at San Diego State

Colorado at Washington State

[Alabama_Indy10]

October 26

South Alabama at Georgia State

Stanford at Oregon State


October 27

Tulane at Memphis

Florida State at Boston College


October 28

Buffalo at Akron

Wisconsin at Illinois

Oklahoma State at West Virginia

Rutgers at Michigan

Arkansas at Mississippi

Louisville at Wake Forest

Virginia at Pittsburgh

California at Colorado

Florida International at Marshall

Kansas State at Kansas

Air Force at Colorado State

Penn State at Ohio State

Georgia at Florida (in Jacksonville)

TCU at Iowa State

UCLA at Washington

NC State at Notre Dame

Michigan State at Northwestern

Indiana at Maryland

Houston at South Florida

Vanderbilt at South Carolina

Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky

Utah at Oregon

Minnesota at Iowa

UAB at Southern Mississippi

Mississippi State at Texas A&M

Duke at Virginia Tech

Nebraska at Purdue

New Mexico at Wyoming

Tennessee at Kentucky

Georgia Tech at Clemson

Texas Tech at Oklahoma

Washington State at Arizona

USC at Arizona State

San Diego State at Hawai'i

[Alabama_Indy10]

Week Ten[/size]...be warned, it's an early start.

October 31

Miami(OH) at Ohio


November 1

Western Michigan at Central Michigan


November 2

Northern Illinois at Toledo

Navy at Temple


November 3

Marshall at Florida Atlantic

UCLA at Utah


November 4

Penn State at Michigan State

Ohio State at Iowa

Clemson at NC State

Virginia Tech at Miami(FL)

Oregon at Washington

Stanford at Washington State

South Florida at Connecticut

UCF at SMU

Arizona at USC

Colorado at Arizona State

Minnesota at Michigan

Wisconsin at Indiana

Auburn at Texas A&M

Illinois at Purdue 

Kansas State at Texas Tech

Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt

Baylor at Kansas

Syracuse at Florida State

Georgia Tech at Virginia

Appalachian State at Louisiana-Monroe

South Carolina at Georgia

Wake Forest at Notre Dame

Iowa State at West Virginia

Maryland at Rutgers

Army at Air Force

Northwestern at Nebraska

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

Mississippi at Kentucky

Colorado State at Wyoming

UT San Antonio at Florida International

Texas at TCU

Southern Mississippi at Tennessee

LSU at Alabama

[Alabama_Indy10]

Week Ten

October 31

Miami(OH) at Ohio - homers win it on Halloween


November 1

Central Michigan at Western Michigan - homers win it

November 2

Northern Illinois at Toledo - Toledo is good

Navy at Temple - This is unanimous so far, hmm....


November 3

Marshall at Florida Atlantic - Kiffin hasn't let me down....yet
UCLA at Utah - Utah wins narrowly at home


November 4

Penn State at Michigan State - These next 2 would be nice upsets

Ohio State at Iowa

Clemson at NC State

Virginia Tech at Miami(FL) - I still happen to think Miami is legit, close win at home

Oregon at Washington - meh

Stanford at Washington State - one more washington loss and pac 12 is out of playoff?

South Florida at Connecticut - CT lol

UCF at SMU - I almost went to this game, upset in Dallas

Arizona at USC - USC wins but only because they are at home

Colorado at Arizona State - despite USC loss, Arizona State is pretty good

Minnesota at Michigan - ah home field saves again

Wisconsin at Indiana - big upset pick of the week, Indiana stuns at home

Auburn at Texas A&M - Iron bowl coulldddd decide it all or maybe not

Illinois at Purdue - guess you could call this a big upset pick too

Kansas State at Texas Tech - Kansas state has impressed me more lately

Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt - meh

Baylor at Kansas hopefully 0-12 Baylor if only because they are in Kansas

Syracuse at Florida State
- FSU wins at home, plus bowl game is on the line by the end
Georgia Tech at Virginia - meh idk, I think Virginia wins at home

Appalachian State at Louisiana-Monroe - pretty clear I think

South Carolina at Georgia - same

Wake Forest at Notre Dame - please prove me wrong

Iowa State at West Virginia - underestimate Iowa State at your own risk

Maryland at Rutgers - I think Maryland

Army at Air Force - Air Force is better than some think

Northwestern at Nebraska - Northwestern has competed with top 10 teams multiple times this year

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State - forgetting big 12 play for a second, Oklahoma State is likely eliminated from playoff contention, TCU vs OU may determine too the next week

Mississippi at Kentucky - Kentucky at home

Colorado State at Wyoming - again Wyoming is impressive so far

UT San Antonio at Florida International - we love the roadrunners!

Texas at TCU - you know with a couple of slightly different outcomes this could determine big 12 championship contention, especially if Texas had beaten OU

Southern Mississippi at Tennessee - they are lucky this is at home

LSU at Alabama - nah not gonna happen

If Iowa State beats TCU and wins the Big Twelve Championship Game against either TCU or Oklahoma (yes, they're playing one), I think the committee puts them in, over a one loss Georgia (the only loss coming to Alabama), Two loss Notre Dame or one loss Washington.

Why would they put a 2 loss conference champion (those losses coming against Iowa and Texas) in the playoff over a 1 loss Georgia or Washington?? Georgia and Washington are clearly better than Iowa State.

[Alabama_Indy10]

Week Ten

October 31

Miami(OH) at Ohio - homers win it on Halloween


November 1

Central Michigan at Western Michigan - homers win it

November 2

Northern Illinois at Toledo - Toledo is good

Navy at Temple - This is unanimous so far, hmm....


November 3

Marshall at Florida Atlantic - Kiffin hasn't let me down....yet
UCLA at Utah - Utah wins narrowly at home


November 4

Penn State at Michigan State - These next 2 would be nice upsets

Ohio State at Iowa

Clemson at NC State

Virginia Tech at Miami(FL) - I still happen to think Miami is legit, close win at home

Oregon at Washington - meh

Stanford at Washington State - one more washington loss and pac 12 is out of playoff?

South Florida at Connecticut - CT lol

UCF at SMU - I almost went to this game, upset in Dallas

Arizona at USC - USC wins but only because they are at home

Colorado at Arizona State - despite USC loss, Arizona State is pretty good

Minnesota at Michigan - ah home field saves again

Wisconsin at Indiana - big upset pick of the week, Indiana stuns at home

Auburn at Texas A&M - Iron bowl coulldddd decide it all or maybe not

Illinois at Purdue - guess you could call this a big upset pick too

Kansas State at Texas Tech - Kansas state has impressed me more lately

Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt - meh

Baylor at Kansas hopefully 0-12 Baylor if only because they are in Kansas

Syracuse at Florida State
- FSU wins at home, plus bowl game is on the line by the end
Georgia Tech at Virginia - meh idk, I think Virginia wins at home

Appalachian State at Louisiana-Monroe - pretty clear I think

South Carolina at Georgia - same

Wake Forest at Notre Dame - please prove me wrong

Iowa State at West Virginia - underestimate Iowa State at your own risk

Maryland at Rutgers - I think Maryland

Army at Air Force - Air Force is better than some think

Northwestern at Nebraska - Northwestern has competed with top 10 teams multiple times this year

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State - forgetting big 12 play for a second, Oklahoma State is likely eliminated from playoff contention, TCU vs OU may determine too the next week

Mississippi at Kentucky - Kentucky at home

Colorado State at Wyoming - again Wyoming is impressive so far

UT San Antonio at Florida International - we love the roadrunners!

Texas at TCU - you know with a couple of slightly different outcomes this could determine big 12 championship contention, especially if Texas had beaten OU

Southern Mississippi at Tennessee - they are lucky this is at home

LSU at Alabama - nah not gonna happen

If Iowa State beats TCU and wins the Big Twelve Championship Game against either TCU or Oklahoma (yes, they're playing one), I think the committee puts them in, over a one loss Georgia (the only loss coming to Alabama), Two loss Notre Dame or one loss Washington.

Why would they put a 2 loss conference champion (those losses coming against Iowa and Texas) in the playoff over a 1 loss Georgia or Washington?? Georgia and Washington are clearly better than Iowa State.

Georgia's only beaten Notre Dame this year...and Washington really hasn't beaten anyone yet (other than possibly Stanford) to this point, While Iowa State has victories over a ranked Oklahoma squad, a ranked West Virginia squad, and would have victories over a ranked TCU and Oklahoma State squad (if OK State stayed in the top 25), plus a second victory over either TCU or Oklahoma. That's a resume that belongs in the playoff, plus the committee has already been known to make odd decisions before, putting Ohio State in last year when they didn't win their conference, so this would be an extension of that.

The extension of that would be if they put Georgia in the playoff with only one loss (to Alabama). Iowa State does have those huge wins but they also have 2 losses to unranked Iowa and Texas. That doesn't belong in the playoff.

[Alabama_Indy10]

I think it's virtually certain that, if Alabama and Georgia play at 12-0, both teams are in regardless of the result of the SEC Championship Game (maybe unless one team gets blown out).  I could even see the loser only dropping to #3.

I agree.

[Alabama_Indy10]

I kind of doubt UCF can get in since CFP Poll has them starting at #18

Which is a shame. They're one of the five best teams in CFB right now and if enough other teams stumble, they've earned their shot.

How have they earned it? By beating Navy and Memphis?

[Alabama_Indy10]

Toledo at Ohio - Skip (Late)

Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan - Skip (Late)

November 9

North Carolina at Pittsburgh

November 10

Temple at Cincinnati

Washington at Stanford

November 11

Georgia at Auburn

Alabama at Mississippi State

Florida State at Clemson

TCU at Oklahoma

Oklahoma State at Iowa State

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech

NC State at Boston College

Washington State at Utah

Virginia at Louisville

Wake Forest at Syracuse

Arizona State at UCLA

Indiana at Illinois

Nebraska at Minnesota

Michigan State at Ohio State

Rutgers at Penn State

Arkansas at LSU

Louisiana-Lafayette at Mississippi

Duke at Army

Iowa at Wisconsin

Michigan at Maryland

West Virginia at Kansas State

SMU at Navy

USC at Colorado

Kentucky at Vanderbilt

Western Kentucky at Marshall

UAB at UT San Antonio

Purdue at Northwestern

Tennessee at Missouri

Notre Dame at Miami(FL)

Boise State at Colorado State

[Alabama_Indy10]

November 14
Ohio at Akron - Missed (Late)

November 15
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois

November 17
Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky

UNLV at New Mexico

November 18
TCU at Texas Tech

Michigan at Wisconsin

UCLA at USC

Maryland at Michigan State

Nebraska at Penn State

Kansas State at Oklahoma State

Mississippi State at Arkansas

Purdue at Iowa

Minnesota at Northwestern

Texas A&M at Mississippi

Texas at West Virginia

Arizona at Oregon

California at Stanford

Rutgers at Indiana

UCF at Temple

SMU at Memphis

Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech

Fresno State at Wyoming

Kentucky at Georgia

Navy at Notre Dame

Georgia Tech at Duke

Syracuse at Louisville

UAB at Florida

Army at North Texas

LSU at Tennessee

Florida International at Florida Atlantic

Marshall at Texas San Antonio

NC State at Wake Forest

Missouri at Vanderbilt

Air Force at Boise State

[Alabama_Indy10]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-college-football-playoffs-doomsday-scenarios/?ex_cid=538twitter

538's got a nice take on the potential chaos facing the College Football Playoff.

Personally, I think they're understating an undefeated UCF. I'd swap them out for Auburn or the TCU/Oklahoma loser on that fourth scenario.

Seriously, If I were on the committee, I would be giving serious thought to UCF, especially if they finish the season unbeaten.

I would not. What would be their signature win, Memphis?? UCF is not on the same level as the top-tier teams.

[Alabama_Indy10]

The point is that they still wouldn't have the necessary wins under such a set of circumstances, but ok

And my point is staying unbeaten should be rewarded no matter who you are, or who you've beaten.

So using your logic, what's keeping an independent like BYU or Notre Dame from scheduling really bad teams every game of the season? They could easily have "muh undefeated record." Would they be worthy of getting into the playoff?

[Alabama_Indy10]

The point is that they still wouldn't have the necessary wins under such a set of circumstances, but ok

And my point is staying unbeaten should be rewarded no matter who you are, or who you've beaten.

So using your logic, what's keeping an independent like BYU or Notre Dame from scheduling really bad teams every game of the season? They could easily have "muh undefeated record." Would they be worthy of getting into the playoff?

If they won all those games, yes. But pride would prevent Notre Dame from doing that, and someone is going to be willing to play BYU, if only to fill a hole on it's own schedule.

So you would support an undefeated team with a schedule full of cupcakes over a 1 loss major conference champion?

[Alabama_Indy10]

The point is that they still wouldn't have the necessary wins under such a set of circumstances, but ok

And my point is staying unbeaten should be rewarded no matter who you are, or who you've beaten.

So using your logic, what's keeping an independent like BYU or Notre Dame from scheduling really bad teams every game of the season? They could easily have "muh undefeated record." Would they be worthy of getting into the playoff?

If they won all those games, yes. But pride would prevent Notre Dame from doing that, and someone is going to be willing to play BYU, if only to fill a hole on it's own schedule.

So you would support an undefeated team with a schedule full of cupcakes over a 1 loss major conference champion?

In almost every circumstance yes. There's a thing called the eye test too. If the one loss champion struggled all season, (Wisconsin for example), they don't deserve to get in.

Also, I wouldn't call UCF's next two games...against USF, and against Memphis in AAC Championship game cupcakes. Both teams only have one loss.

They don't pass the eye test, they haven't played anyone. They are worse than last years Western Michigan squad. I would totally leave them out, give them a top tear non-playoff bowl and let them get slapped down by some better conference team.

Western Michigan ended up beating Wisconsin last year, so arguably they were better than Washington, who actually made it into the playoff.

Also, UCF did beat Navy, who lost 24-17 to #8 Notre Dame today. That alone probably passes the eye test, doesn't it?

I don't get how with 4 teams in the playoff, we still get undefeated teams left out. This is one of the top 2 or 3 reasons everyone wanted to get rid of the BCS anyway. Maybe we should just give up on the playoff system and let the Rose Bowl decide the champion like in the old days.

So beating a team (Navy) who lost by 7 to a team (Notre Dame) who got beat by 33 by Miami automatically makes you one of the best 4 teams in the country? Makes a whole lot of sense doesn't it?

[Alabama_Indy10]

The point is that they still wouldn't have the necessary wins under such a set of circumstances, but ok

And my point is staying unbeaten should be rewarded no matter who you are, or who you've beaten.

So using your logic, what's keeping an independent like BYU or Notre Dame from scheduling really bad teams every game of the season? They could easily have "muh undefeated record." Would they be worthy of getting into the playoff?

If they won all those games, yes. But pride would prevent Notre Dame from doing that, and someone is going to be willing to play BYU, if only to fill a hole on it's own schedule.

So you would support an undefeated team with a schedule full of cupcakes over a 1 loss major conference champion?

In almost every circumstance yes. There's a thing called the eye test too. If the one loss champion struggled all season, (Wisconsin for example), they don't deserve to get in.

Also, I wouldn't call UCF's next two games...against USF, and against Memphis in AAC Championship game cupcakes. Both teams only have one loss.

They don't pass the eye test, they haven't played anyone. They are worse than last years Western Michigan squad. I would totally leave them out, give them a top tear non-playoff bowl and let them get slapped down by some better conference team.

Western Michigan ended up beating Wisconsin last year, so arguably they were better than Washington, who actually made it into the playoff.

Also, UCF did beat Navy, who lost 24-17 to #8 Notre Dame today. That alone probably passes the eye test, doesn't it?

I don't get how with 4 teams in the playoff, we still get undefeated teams left out. This is one of the top 2 or 3 reasons everyone wanted to get rid of the BCS anyway. Maybe we should just give up on the playoff system and let the Rose Bowl decide the champion like in the old days.

So beating a team (Navy) who lost by 7 to a team (Notre Dame) who got beat by 33 by Miami automatically makes you one of the best 4 teams in the country? Makes a whole lot of sense doesn't it?

It's worth noting that other than this week Miami(FL) has played well all season. Of course, if they lose to Clemson in the ACC Championship game, they're probably out of the playoff...

As for Western Michigan and Washington last year, it's worth remembering Washington played Alabama in the playoff semifinal. They didn't have a chance, and I wouldn't have expected Western Michigan to do better...however they certainly could have beaten Ohio State, had they replaced Washington, and the Committee decided on an Alabama/Clemson semifinal, based on their result against Wisconsin.

And I'm going to repeat the fact that neither South Florida or Memphis are cupcakes. Both only have one loss, and Memphis was ranked as of this week.

I agree. South Florida and Memphis aren't cupcakes.. But even if UCF beats both of them (which I think is unlikely) they are still definitely not one of the best 4 teams in the country.

[Alabama_Indy10]

The point is that they still wouldn't have the necessary wins under such a set of circumstances, but ok

And my point is staying unbeaten should be rewarded no matter who you are, or who you've beaten.

So using your logic, what's keeping an independent like BYU or Notre Dame from scheduling really bad teams every game of the season? They could easily have "muh undefeated record." Would they be worthy of getting into the playoff?

If they won all those games, yes. But pride would prevent Notre Dame from doing that, and someone is going to be willing to play BYU, if only to fill a hole on it's own schedule.

So you would support an undefeated team with a schedule full of cupcakes over a 1 loss major conference champion?

In almost every circumstance yes. There's a thing called the eye test too. If the one loss champion struggled all season, (Wisconsin for example), they don't deserve to get in.

Also, I wouldn't call UCF's next two games...against USF, and against Memphis in AAC Championship game cupcakes. Both teams only have one loss.

They don't pass the eye test, they haven't played anyone. They are worse than last years Western Michigan squad. I would totally leave them out, give them a top tear non-playoff bowl and let them get slapped down by some better conference team.

Western Michigan ended up beating Wisconsin last year, so arguably they were better than Washington, who actually made it into the playoff.

Also, UCF did beat Navy, who lost 24-17 to #8 Notre Dame today. That alone probably passes the eye test, doesn't it?

I don't get how with 4 teams in the playoff, we still get undefeated teams left out. This is one of the top 2 or 3 reasons everyone wanted to get rid of the BCS anyway. Maybe we should just give up on the playoff system and let the Rose Bowl decide the champion like in the old days.

So beating a team (Navy) who lost by 7 to a team (Notre Dame) who got beat by 33 by Miami automatically makes you one of the best 4 teams in the country? Makes a whole lot of sense doesn't it?

It's worth noting that other than this week Miami(FL) has played well all season. Of course, if they lose to Clemson in the ACC Championship game, they're probably out of the playoff...

As for Western Michigan and Washington last year, it's worth remembering Washington played Alabama in the playoff semifinal. They didn't have a chance, and I wouldn't have expected Western Michigan to do better...however they certainly could have beaten Ohio State, had they replaced Washington, and the Committee decided on an Alabama/Clemson semifinal, based on their result against Wisconsin.

And I'm going to repeat the fact that neither South Florida or Memphis are cupcakes. Both only have one loss, and Memphis was ranked as of this week.

This is objectively false and tells me you have not watched any Miami games before VA Tech.  Miami played like ass against FSU, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina and are very VERY lucky to be undefeated. There was a very good reason they were underdogs at home against VA Tech and Notre Dame; the Virginia game is much more indicative of the season Miami has had than the ND or VA Tech games.

I agree.