Assuming 11 - 1 Alabama would get the No. 3 spot in a playoff — and considering overall quality and only a road
loss to the No. 2 team marring the record, I think
Bama would be a no - brainer — that would leave the following potential candidates
for No. 4: Michigan State (12 - 1,
Big Ten champion), Stanford (11 - 2, Pac - 12 champion), Baylor (11 - 1,
Big 12 champion), and probably Ohio State (12 - 1).