Brent Venable speaks on Oklahoma being prepared for the playoffs
Brent Venables said Oklahoma’s resilience against opponents prove they are ready for the playoffs.
The top three is set in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll after Ohio State beat Michigan, Indiana rolled over Purdue and Georgia topped Georgia Tech.
The debate in the new poll will be over which team lands at No. 4 between Oregon and Texas Tech.
Oregon beat Washington 26-14 to end the year with one loss. While the Ducks miss the Big Ten championship game, this is still a team that will be favored to win at least one game in the College Football Playoff.
A&M lost 27-17 to Texas and will not play for the SEC crown after Alabama took care of business against Auburn. The Aggies’ résumé is highlighted by wins against Notre Dame, LSU and Missouri.
Here’s how the top 10 of this week’s poll will look:
1. Ohio State (12-0)
The Buckeyes soar into the Big Ten championship game after a 27-9 win against Michigan. This was the Buckeyes’ seventh win against a bowl team, joining earlier defeats of Texas, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois and Penn State.
2. Indiana (12-0)
The Hoosiers didn’t need much from Fernando Mendoza in a 56-3 win against rival Purdue. While Mendoza had a season-low 15 attempts, the running game battered the Boilermakers to the tune of 355 yards and five touchdowns on an eye-opening 9.6 yards per carry.
3. Georgia (11-1)
Georgia will climb one spot to No. 3 after beating Georgia Tech 16-9. The defense has been tremendous of late but the offense has scuffled: Gunner Stockton had just 70 yards against the Jackets while the Bulldogs managed a season-low 260 yards on 3.9 yards per play.
4. Oregon (11-1)
The Ducks locked down an at-large berth and a home game in the opening round by beating Washington. Dante Moore had 286 passing yards and a score and could earn a trip to Manhattan as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
5. Texas A&M (11-1)
The fall could end at No. 4 but will almost definitely stop at No. 5 given Mississippi’s lack of marquee wins beyond Oklahoma. To miss the SEC championship game stings, of course, but there’s a benefit to an extra week of rest along with the chance at being the No. 5 seed in the playoff rankings, which would likely pit the Aggies against a Group of Five representative.
6. Mississippi (11-1)
The Rebels avoided an upset at Mississippi State to tie the program’s single-season record for wins. With or without Lane Kiffin, this team will be a host in the opening round of the playoff and should have opportunity to reach the quarterfinals at a minimum.
7. Texas Tech (11-1)
Tech will earn a rematch against Brigham Young after a 49-0 win against West Virginia. The Red Raiders lost once, to Arizona State, but there’s been no doubt all season that they’re the best team in the Big 12 and one of the best nationally.
8. Oklahoma (10-2)
A beautifully ugly win against LSU sealed a furious close to the regular season and will send the Sooners to the playoff. After a disappointing first year in the SEC, the program at least figured things out defensively, even if the offense seems to still be a frustrating work in progress.
9. Notre Dame (10-2)
The Irish finished with just two losses and will make the playoff after beating Stanford. All that’s left to determine is where Notre Dame lands in the final rankings and whether running back Jeremiyah Love will be a Heisman Trophy finalist.
10. Alabama (10-2)
Alabama was able to hang on and beat Auburn 27-20 in the Iron Bowl and will face Georgia for the SEC championship. Whether the Tide can lose the rematch after beating Georgia earlier this year and still make the playoff will be the biggest question of next weekend.
