We're pretty sure LSU loses to Georgia which is why they're so low in our Projected Top 25. But what if they win? ESPN and 538 both have prediction machines and boy, do they compute the reaction of the Committee differently. Here's what happens in ESPN/AllState and 538 if all the higher-rated teams win out but LSU upsets Georgia:
Team ESPN 538 Average Georgia 84% 25% 54.5% Ohio State >99% >99% >99% Michigan 43% <1% 22% TCU 85% >99% 92% LSU 41% 86% 63.5% USC 26% 62% 44% Alabama 3% 1% 2% Clemson 19% 26% 22.5% Tennessee <1% <1% <1%
According to ESPN Georgia is still solidly in, along with either Michigan or LSU. 538 has Georgia out, Michigan completely out, LSU solidly in along with USC. Both have Ohio State and TCU in. This is crazy, and tells us how little we know about the Committee and what it will do in a given scenario.
ESPN's final order in this scenario is: Ohio State, TCU, Georgia, Michigan, LSU, USC, Clemson, Alabama.
538's final order is: Ohio State, TCU, LSU, USC, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan
The "composite" order is Ohio State, TCU, LSU, Georgia, USC, Clemson, Michigan, Alabama
So basically only Clemson has no chance if LSU beats Georgia, while USC has a decent chance and the Michigan-Ohio State loser might sneak in.
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