Football Four: After beating 'Bama, LSU shoots all the way to the top

George Schroeder | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Parachuter glides onto field for Alabama-LSU game A parachuter with the United States Special Operations Command plummeted toward the roaring crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Sometimes the results of games feel like seismic shifts, don’t they? There’s no way to know until later, of course, the actual magnitude. And anyone who predicts the demise of Alabama after a loss is, well, just don’t do that. In the big picture, ‘Bama isn’t necessarily going anywhere anytime soon. But it seems pretty clear: LSU has finally arrived.

Eight years after that 9-6 overtime slog, the Tide and Tigers hooked up for a Big 12-style shootout. It was superb entertainment. It was a revelation: Yeah, LSU is for real. (“We’re the better football team,” Ed Orgeron said he told his team last week, and he was correct). Yup, LSU is good enough to win it all. Yep, LSU is now No. 1 in the Football Four. Is there real reason to argue?

None of which means Ohio State did anything wrong in hanging 70-plus on Maryland, or that Clemson isn’t terrific, too. But the LSU Tigers geaux right to the top seed.

As always, remember we pick the bracket as if the season was over today.*

WINNERS AND LOSERS: LSU, Alabama, Minnesota lead way in Week 11

Football Four

1. LSU – The Tigers exorcised eight years of agony with a 46-41 win at Alabama. More important, they move to the very top of everyone’s rankings.

2. Ohio State – Another week, another dominant performance by the Buckeyes. Wouldn’t it be fun to match them against LSU?

3. Clemson – We’ve heard all about that soft ACC schedule, and it is very soft. But Clemson is doing exactly what it should do against that schedule.

4. Oregon – The Ducks were idle this weekend but moved into the bracket because of events elsewhere. It’s not quite this simple, but if they can win out, they’ll have a really nice resume for the Football Four.

Four More**

5. Minnesota – A week ago, we all looked at that undefeated record and sniffed: But they ain’t played nobody! Well, about that. Given a huge opportunity, the Golden Gophers took full advantage to upset Penn State.

6. Utah – Took the week off. If the Utes can win out, it’s a similar situation to Oregon: At 12-1, they’ll have a shot to work their way into the bracket.

7. Oklahoma – After getting out to a three-touchdown lead, the Sooners’ defensive issues from last year reemerged. But they escaped Iowa State. Now comes an unexpected Big 12 showdown with surprising unbeaten Baylor.

8. Alabama – A late touchdown to pull the Tide within one score might matter at some point, but ‘Bama needs help to get back into the Football Four mix.

A Few More After That***

Baylor – The Bears somehow escaped Fort Worth with a win against TCU in three overtimes. They’re unbeaten. And now they get Oklahoma in Waco with a shot to make their case for the Football Four.

Georgia – Look, Georgia has a nice defense. It has a pedestrian offense. And that home loss to South Carolina (and its third-string quarterback) looks worse week after week. But just win (out), baby, and you're in.

Penn State – That nice resume now includes a good loss, we guess, at Minnesota. Penn State's only path is to win out.

Auburn – Idle this week. But the Tigers could rearrange the SEC and Playoff conversation with Georgia this week and Alabama on Nov. 30.

Futile Four****

Arkansas – Arkansas paid $1.5 million to bring in Western Kentucky … which then beat down the Hogs 45-19. It was Arkansas’ seventh consecutive loss, and as expected it meant the end of Chad Morris' very short tenure as head coach. He was fired Sunday after less than two seasons.

Michigan State – The Spartans led Illinois by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter … and lost on a touchdown with 5 seconds left. It’s their fourth consecutive loss.

South Carolina – Remember that win against Georgia? Yeah, that was nice. But a 20-15 loss to Appalachian State. Ugh. And Clemson still looms on the schedule.

Missouri – Real talk: If the 5-4 Tigers withdraw their appeal to the NCAA and accept the postseason ban … and then don’t qualify, anyway — wouldn’t that make some sense? Oh wait, they play Arkansas.

* The season is not over today.

** Don’t be worried that your team sits just outside the cut. This is a weekly snapshot. And what do we know, anyway?

*** See the previous note, but it’s OK to be slightly concerned or very angry. But what do we know, anyway?

**** No note necessary.