By: Luke Brumm
Now that week one is over, it’s time to reassess and rank teams using tiers. Ranging from my four Championship Contenders to three Pretenders, let’s see where these teams lie.
Tier 1 – Championship Contenders
Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Florida State
These are the only four teams that I believe can win it all as of right now. Georgia has won two championships in a row, so they have to be on here until proven otherwise. Michigan has beat Ohio State, won the Big Ten, and made the CFP two straight years now, and I believe it is only a matter of time before they break through.
Alabama is still Alabama and Nick Saban is still Nick Saban, so that speaks for itself. Finally, what Florida State showed me on Sunday was that they are the real deal. The Seminoles should roll through the ACC and make the playoff.
Tier 2 – Playoff Contenders
Ohio State, USC, Washington, Texas, Penn State
These are the teams that I can see making the playoff, but not necessarily winning it all. They can work their way up to tier one throughout the season, but as of now, they are in tier two. Ohio State QB Kyle McCord did not look solid in his first game and that worries me, especially against Indiana. USC needs to sure up that defense before they can compete with the big boys.
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Washington, Texas, and Penn State are teams that need to prove it to me. If the Huskies beat a few ranked teams, the Longhorns beat Alabama this weekend, or the Nittany Lions beat Michigan or OSU, they could all find their way into tier one. I just need to see it to believe it.
Tier 3 – A Step Below the Playoff Contenders
Tennessee, Notre Dame, Oregon, Utah, North Carolina
These teams are right behind the CFP contenders. I could see them making it, but it would surprise me. First off, Tennessee looked good, but I need to see more consistency from Joe Milton. Oregon and Utah will have more than one chance to prove themselves against worthy opponents.
Notre Dame will as well, and I have been impressed with them under Sam Hartman and his leadership. That game at home vs. Ohio State in a couple weeks will be huge to see where they really are. North Carolina always had the offense, the defense was the question. After a 31-17 week one win, I am very interested to see if the Tar Heel defense really improved or if South Carolina’s offensive line was that bad.
TIER 4 – Pretenders
LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma
LSU was supposed to “Beat the heck out of Florida State” according to Tiger’s head coach Brian Kelly. Instead, the Noles beat the heck out of them 45-24. They were dominated, especially in the second half, and I have them as pretenders. LSU loves to do really good one season and be awful the next, which looks to carry over again.
Clemson shot themselves in the foot time and time again on Monday as they lost to Duke 28-7. They turned the ball over twice in a row inside the ten-yard line and that was after missing a chip shot field goal. Dabo Swinney and his team need to take a look in the mirror and get things right. If not, it’ll be a long season.
Lastly, I see people talking highly about Oklahoma after their 73-0 win over Arkansas State. I want people to pump the breaks a second. We know what happened last season, let’s not let one win over an inferior team sway our opinions just yet. I have them as a pretender right now.
