Seth Romsa

What has been a whirlwind college football season already comes to a head this Halloween evening, with the first College Football Playoff rankings being released by the committee on Tuesday (today).

Who I believe should be leading the charge that is one of the most publicized teams currently is Michigan, whose body of work this season has been grander than any team currently in college football.

I know they are going through a sign stealing scandal which may affect a coaching change in the future or may taint the season they are having, but the domination this team has shown should put them on top.

Just behind them will be their rivals to the south, with Ohio State being just as dominant this season behind future top five pick Marvin Harrison Jr at wide receiver.

Third I believe should be the two-time defending national champions Georgia, who are still undefeated but the body of work from the Bulldogs is not as dominant as years prior.

The fourth spot is a toss-up between two opposite corners of the nation, with a battle between Washington and Florida State being the most contested spot to round out the top four in the rankings.

I think that Washington holds the slight edge, with a victory over Oregon who should slot in just behind both teams in the sixth slot giving the Huskies the edge over the Seminoles.

The rest of the top 10 should be simple, with a combination of Texas, Alabama, Penn State and Ole Miss or Oklahoma making up those spots, with my belief being Oklahoma will be the odd man out at 11 after a loss to Kansas this past weekend.

One team that everybody in this area should know will be the lead dog in the race for a New Year’s Six bowl this year is Mountain West leaders Air Force. Air Force currently sits 17th in the AP ranking and should continue to hold its position as long as it remains undefeated.

Unfortunately for Air Force, they have some competition behind them as James Madison is the other non-power five team that is currently in the AP poll vying for that at-large bid to a top bowl game to start 2024.

While Wyoming has fallen behind the curve, as evident by the 32-7 beating the Cowboys received at Boise State on Saturday, I feel the Cowboys should be able to continue its bowl streak with the team’s eyes set on winning the Bronze Boot this Friday at 6 p.m. in Laramie.

This college football season has been full of surprises throughout the year, and I feel it may not be done as Michigan does have to play both Penn State and Ohio State this final month of the season while continuing to have the national eye watching the team’s every move.

Georgia should definitely still be in contention by season’s end, while Texas and Oklahoma will hope to have big pushes down the stretch in the program’s final seasons in the Big XII.

I know this has not been the best season for the Crimson Tide either by any stretch of the imagination, but don’t count out Nick Saban and his team down the stretch run with a chance at sneaking into the playoff.

My only hope is that the season ending games will be as good as the first nine weeks, as we enter into the colder months before heading indoors for the winter.