One Foot Inbounds

The dam never fully broke, but eventually Deshaun Watson and the Clemson offense wore down an incredible Crimson Tide defense because Alabama's offense couldn't stay on the field.

Alabama's win in the Peach Bowl went on script, but Clemson's Fiesta Bowl shutout was a total surprise to most.

Despite Penn State winning the Big Ten over Wisconsin, the Playoff Selection Committee made the right call to put Ohio State and Washington in over the Nittany Lions.

There was little separation in the playoff race as Ohio State beat Michigan and all of the other candidates won.

The only big upset of the week proved to expand the playoff field, with a variety of one-loss teams and two-loss darkhorses still in the running.

The playoff picture is muddled by a chaotic week that saw five top-ten upsets. But did things really change despite three teams picking up their first losses of the season?

Six playoff contenders -- Alabama, Michigan, Clemson, Washington, Ohio State, and Louisville -- all separated themselves with blowout wins or, in Alabama's case, a tight slugfest over a top opponent.

With multiple upsets and nine ranked teams losing -- including four previously undefeated teams -- it was a wild weekend of college football.

The Buckeyes picked up their first loss and have several negative offensive trends, but don't count them out of the playoff conversation just yet.

It was enough to just survive and advance for all top teams not named Alabama.