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New playoff system helps UCLA, Utah

This is why it's so good to have a committee pick the College Football Playoff field.

Until last year, UCLA and Utah would have started so far back that it would have been difficult for either to be seriously considered for the national championship game. And both teams being from the Pac-12 Conference would have hindered their chances with the voters in the South and Midwest.

But the committee is in place, and there's a four-team playoff field, meaning if UCLA and Utah keep winning, they will be an integral part of the postseason discussions.

If voters truly valued results on the field, both 4-0 teams would be ranked higher. UCLA is seventh in The Associated Press' poll and ranked 10th by the coaches. Utah is 10th and 12th.

The Bruins have beaten two teams ranked at the time, edging Brigham Young 24-23 and then on Saturday taking apart Arizona 56-30. ESPN thought enough of the UCLA-Arizona matchup to send its "College GameDay" crew there.

Utah's season-opening 24-17 victory over Michigan looks better each week, and the Utes went to Oregon on Saturday and routed the Ducks 62-20. Michigan State was almost beaten at home by Oregon, and the Spartans are ranked second in both polls.

But Michigan State also began the season fifth in the AP poll and sixth in the coaches' rankings. UCLA was 13th and 14th, and the Utes weren't ranked at all.

The old system, thankfully, isn't in place.

So the burden is on UCLA and Utah to continue to take care of their business and impress the committee rather than a bunch of nearly anonymous voters.

AROUND THE NATION — Tennessee coach Butch Jones played it too safe and paid the price. The Volunteers were trying to protect a 27-21 lead late in Saturday's game at Florida and ran on all three plays. Pick up one first down, and the Volunteers win the game. In playing not to lose, Tennessee wound up doing just that in falling 28-27. … Michigan and Florida made their season debuts in the AP poll this week, with the Wolverines coming in at No. 22 and the Gators at No. 25. Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and Florida's Jim McElwain are among the early favorites for national Coach of the Year. ... Arizona star linebacker Scooby Wright suffered another major setback. He returned for the game against UCLA after missing time with a knee injury, but then sprained his right foot and is out for several weeks.

AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST — It's easy to look at the 80 points UNLV scored against Idaho State and think the Rebels ran up the score, especially if the comparison is Boise State's 52-0 victory against the same team a week ago. But Boise State led only 21-0 at halftime, and the Broncos scored 31 points in the second half. UNLV led 52-8 at halftime, and the Rebels scored 28 points in the second 30 minutes. Also, the Rebels emptied their bench and threw two passes for 6 yards in the third quarter and none in the fourth. All 16 running plays in the fourth quarter went to two fullbacks. Sometimes the opponent needs to play some defense, too. … As of Monday afternoon, UNR was about 4,000 tickets short of a sellout for Saturday's game against UNLV, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. … Boise State quarterback Ryan Finley pleaded guilty Monday to underage possession of alcohol and obstructing police officers, according to the Idaho Statesman. Both charges are misdemeanors. Finley must pay $790 in fines and serve 40 hours of community service. He is out two months with a broken right ankle, but might have trouble getting back his job. Brett Rypien passed for 321 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 56-14 victory at Virginia.

MY FINAL FOUR — I vote in the Sweet 16 Poll organized by the Football Writers Association of America and the National Football Foundation.

Here is my top four:

1. Ohio State. It's a shaky No. 1, and the Buckeyes need to get it together.

2. Baylor. The Bears are on a mission, and they are looking to impress every weekend.

3. Texas Christian. Survived a tough test at Texas Tech, but the Horned Frogs can't rely on their offense to bail them out every game.

4. UCLA. Went to Tucson and pounded Arizona.

HEISMAN ODDS — Handicapper Bruce Marshall (goldsheet.com) provides Heisman Trophy odds each week.

Leonard Fournette, Louisiana State 5-2

Trevone Boykin, TCU 9-2

Nick Chubb, Georgia 5-1

Dak Prescott, Mississippi State 10-1

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma 12-1

Connor Cook, Michigan State 15-1

Derrick Henry, Alabama 15-1

Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State 18-1

Cody Kessler, Southern California 20-1

Keenan Reynolds, Navy 22-1

Cardale Jones, Ohio State 25-1

Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi 25-1

Paul Perkins, UCLA 25-1

Deshaun Watson, Clemson 25-1

Jacoby Brissett, North Carolina State 30-1

Jared Goff, California 30-1

Dalvin Cook, Florida State 35-1

Everett Golson, Florida State 35-1

J.T. Barrett, Ohio State 40-1

Kevin Hogan, Stanford 40-1

Seth Russell, Baylor 40-1

Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss 40-1

Matt Johnson, Bowling Green 50-1

Brad Kaaya, Miami 50-1

Paxton Lynch, Memphis 50-1

Samaje Perine, Oklahoma 50-1

Josh Doctson, TCU 60-1

Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee 75-1

Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech 75-1

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65. He is first vice president of the Football Writers Association of America.

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