Weird Week 11: Don't expect steep rankings drop despite upsets
— -- You tell me what's weirder: that the second-, third- and fourth-ranked teams could lose on the same Saturday for the first time since 1985, or that the effect on the rankings of something so eclipselike in its rarity could be so negligible. Clemson, Michigan and Washington aren't going to fall out of playoff contention. In fact, they aren't going to fall far at all. That's a tribute to the credibility they built in the first 10 weeks of the season, a commentary on all the two- and three-loss teams immediately behind them and on the oddity of this weird but entertaining 2016 season.
1. To recap, No. 5 Ohio State may be the best team in the Big Ten and not make the conference championship game, and No. 20 USC may be the best team in the Pac-12 and not make its conference championship game. Watch where the Trojans land in the College Football Playoff rankings, and remember that if the Pac-12 champ goes to the playoff, the Rose Bowl gets to choose the Pac-12 team it desires. And either Clemson or Louisville is the best team in the ACC, and one of them won't make that league's championship game. Can you remind me again why the Big 12 thinks a championship game will solve all its problems?
4. And then came the punt, a low line drive that Desmond King fielded at the Iowa 41 and returned 8 yards. Michigan linebacker? Mike McCray's?right hand raked across King's helmet, swiveling the returner's head. McCray was called for a face mask penalty, although he didn't grab it, and Iowa started that final possession all the way at the Michigan 36. Wolverine fans are not happy with the call. But in not grabbing the face mask, McCray did slap King upside the head. Either way, it's a personal foul, right?
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