- Memphis will not be ranked among the Top 4 in the Final Poll. Sure, the committee might pull a "TCU" and rank them at some point among the Top 4 at some point, but when the Final Polls come out they will be left out because (1) The real premise of the CFP is to keep all the money within the Power Conferences (2) TV Ratings for their game will be low (The lowest rated BCS Games of all-time featured the teams from the Non-AQs, aka Boise St, TCU (when they were in Mountain West), Northern Illinois, UCF, etc) and (3) They don't have a big enough fan base to travel. I hate to be a cynic, but in the end the CFP is all about $$$$, and the majority of the money is divided among the Power Conferences. Most people believe the CFP was created to avoid another Bama vs. LSU BCSCG, but the other reason was to keep the teams from the Non-AQs out of the Final 4 as well. Had Boise St. or TCU ever played in the BCSCG and actually won, then it could had been disastrous for the Power Conferences because then it would have forced them to share more of the money with the Non-AQ conferences. Remember in 2009 when both Boise St and TCU were undefeated, but played each other in the Fiesta Bowl. Was it just by chance that these 2 played each other? The other "Major Programs" that were in the BCS that year were Ohio St, Oregon, Florida, Iowa, Georgia Tech (Cincy was also in the BCS, but I don't consider them a "Major Program"). Imagine, if not only Boise St but TCU both won their games against either Ohio St, Oregon, or Florida. It would have turned the College Football Universe on its head.
However, looking from an objective POV at an undefeated Memphis team who didn't just beat Ole Miss, but dominated them, and also have a very nice win on the road against Bowling Green (6-2) who should be playing the MAC Title Game (Yes, technically you can throw the win at Kansas (0-8) in mix as well, but they lost to South Dakota St and I would bet quite a few other FCS teams could beat Kansas too). Also, there SOS is about to go through the roof with remaining games against Navy (6-1), at Houston (8-0), at Temple (7-1); as well as, another game against Temple in the AAC Title Game (Assuming Memphis beats Houston, Temple is very close to clinching their division). If Memphis ran the table and remains undefeated, then I do believe they should be in the discussion among the Final Top 4.
- The team to watch and jump into the Final 4 like the way Ohio St did last year is FSU. If they win out, then that gives them wins at Clemson and at Florida. Also, they could possibly be playing a 1 loss UNC team in the ACC Title Game. Granted, not only does FSU have to win out, but they will most likely need another conference besides the Pac 12 without an undefeated team. At the moment, it is more than likely this could occur in the Big 12 where Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., and TCU all play one another, and could knock each other out. I do no believe a 1 loss Big 12 Champion would be in the Final Top 4 because (1) They have no conference title game, and we saw how that effected the Big 12 last year and (2) Besides Oklahoma, the other 3 schools didn't play anybody OOC (Unless you count TCU playing Minnesota (4-4)).
- I think there is a team that could "Crash" into the Final Top 4, and that is Iowa. They are a very quite 8-0 with wins at Wisconsin, at Northwestern, and Pitt. Also, they have probably the most underrated defense in the country, only allowing more than 20 points in 2 games, and have held teams to 14 or less points in 4 games. Granted, they play in the weaker division of the Big 10, but if they run the table and beat an undefeated Ohio St or Michigan St in the Big 10 Title Game, then I don't see how the CFP Committee leaves out an undefeated Big 10 Champion.
-There is a lot of CFB left, and I could see none of the current Top 4 teams among the Final Top 4. If Clemson loses to FSU, then they are done. If LSU, beats Bama, but loses to Florida in the SECCG, then they are done (This scenario includes Florida running the table the rest of the season because they would be a 1 loss SEC Champion). If Ohio St loses to Michigan St, then they are done. If Bama loses to LSU, then they are done. Also, just look at last years First Top 4 (Mississippi St, Ole Miss, FSU, and Auburn), only 1 was among the Final Top 4.
