SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (Oct. 28, 2014) – Following the release of the inaugural College Football Playoff poll this evening, Pac-12 Network analysts Rick Neuheisel and Glenn Parker shared their thoughts, as well as who they projected would be in the final four position prior to the poll being released.  

Neuheisel’s Projected Top Four

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Oregon
4. Alabama

Neuheisel on Oregon landing in the No. 5 spot…

“I had them higher than that, but I don’t think it makes much difference given that three of the top four teams are in the SEC South, so there’s going to be some cannibalism there. Oregon is in a position at this point to win out and be in the first College Football Playoff.”

Neuheisel on other surprises that jumped out to him within the first College Football Playoff Poll…

“I was surprised at Notre Dame being as low as they are at No. 10 because I had them probably in the six or seven spot, and from that spot I think that they could control their own destiny. At No. 10, I don’t think they can. They need some help from Michigan State and Oregon who are ahead of them. From the position where I would have had them, they would have been able to win out and be in.”

“The big winner is the Big 12. By having TCU and Kansas State in the Top 10. By virtue of that, and even Baylor, has a chance because they’ve beaten TCU and they have a chance to play Kansas State to climb back in there, given all the carnage that can happen in front of them. But for the Big 12 to get that kind of respect – two teams in the Top 10, both with one loss, speaks volumes about their champion and their eventual champion having a great chance to be in the final four.”

Parker’s Projected Top Four

1. Mississippi State
2. Florida State
3. Alabama
4. Oregon

Parker on Oregon landing in the No. 5 spot…

“I didn’t expect it, looking at the way things have fallen throughout the entire list and poll, you have to figure that [the committee] are very conscious of who you’ve played and they’re looking at the whole picture right now. So Oregon controls its destiny; I’m shocked they’re not in the top four, but I’m not worried. If they win out, they’ll play in the Playoff.”

Parker on other surprises that jumped out to him within the first College Football Playoff Poll…

“Notre Dame being as low as they are [at No. 10]. While I’m not always a fan of the love shown to Notre Dame – it’s inescapable throughout the years; they have been placed in positions in polls, regardless of whether they’ve deserved it or not, although most of the time they do – so when I see them fall as far as they have in this one, it shocks me a little bit. I’m curious as to the reason the committee decided that.

The duo will join host Mike Yam on Pac-12 Football Weekly tonight at 7:00 p.m. PT with more or the College Football Playoff poll, a preview of Stanford vs. Oregon and an interview with Ducks C Hroniss Grasu.

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