Oklahoma Deserves to Be the No. 1 Seed in the College Football Playoff

The Oklahoma Sooners have the best player in college football. The Big 12 champions completed an impressive run by trouncing TCU, 41-17. The College Football Playoff selection committee had them at No. 3 headed into today. I’ve had them at No. 1. Perhaps now they’ll see the light and put Oklahoma where Oklahoma belongs: atop the rankings, no matter what happens the rest of the day.

Clemson, should they down Miami, is the only program with a reasonable claim to the spot. The Tigers would have three wins over Top 25 teams (Auburn, Miami and Virginia Tech). That early-September Auburn team, though, was certainly a shell of the current one. Miami may not be what we thought they were. Clemson also lost to lowly Syracuse, an embarrassing stumble despite the spin (injured quarterback or not, they were outplayed).

Auburn, currently No. 2, could beat Georgia. And while it’s hard to argue against their quality victories, those two losses should be disqualifying for a top seed. Undefeated Wisconsin would be buoyed by downing Ohio State, but it would be the Badgers’ only marquee victory of the year.

Reasonable eyes can disagree. My eye has shown me that Oklahoma is the most talented offensive team in the country all season long. It’s also shown me that the Sooners’ defense has been unfairly maligned. In two games against TCU, they allowed 20 and 17 points, respectively. The ledger also shows a convincing road victory over Ohio State — a game in which the Buckeyes managed only 16 points.

This is a complete and scary team, no matter where they end up seeded. And my gut tells me it will be No. 3 should both Auburn and Clemson take care of business.

Best of luck to anyone running into this buzzsaw. You’re going to need it.