The CFP is often more about what is said, than which teams win the games.

Most believe Ohio State has no chance of getting in the CFP: This might not be true.

Consider Ohio State is ranked #7. Now, consider this common refrain of the past few weeks, “if chaos ensues.”

If chaos ensues, this would mean Michigan loses to Iowa, Cincinnati loses to Houston, Oklahoma State loses to Baylor.

If chaos ensues, Georgia and Alabama are likely in.

But, what about Notre Dame?

Tonight, Reese Davis asked Gary Barta the same question. Barta's reply is telling:

You make a good point, Reese. The committee obviously is aware of all the coaching changes, while we were going through the rankings. This week didn’t apply because the games had occurred and we evaluated based on those games.

Once the championship games wrap up, to your point, our protocol does include the ability for the committee to consider a player or a coach not being available and should that have an effect on the outcome of the game, that can be considered.

This implies the Committee could drop Notre Dame, because the team will be perceived weaker, without its head coach.

This implication ties in with one of the CFP’s earliest gimmicks: “Best vs. Most Deserving.”

See https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/96726/the-debate-best-vs-most-deserving

Then, the Committee would look at how Michigan lost the B1G CG and Ohio State vs. Big XII Champion Baylor, which was dropped one spot lower this week, than it was ranked, last week.

Michigan losing likely benefits from the other chaos, even if it loses, because of its current ranking (#2) and Iowa's current ranking (#13): It's unlikely the Committee would either replace Michigan with Iowa or move Iowa into the top 4 if it beats Michigan.

So, the top three teams at this point would be:

1. Georgia or Alabama

2. Alabama or Georgia

3. Michigan

Then, the Committee would weigh Iowa's conference championship and record vs. Ohio State's record.  Best vs. Most Deserving would likely, also be applied.

Ohio State likely wins the Best vs. Most Deserving debate vs. Baylor and Iowa: The Committee would rank Ohio State #4.

If chaos ensues...