Vote as if it is December 7th, and these are the CFP committee's rankings. You do not know the bowl outcomes from what really happened, all you have is the regular season to draw from.
1 Oklahoma vs 4 Syracuse
2 Miami vs 3 FSU
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The teams:
#1 - Oklahoma (11-0, Big 8 Champions)
Ranked first in scoring offense and scoring defense. Held 9 of 11 opponents to ten points or less. No one scored more than 14, and that was the opener blowout vs North Texas. Played 2 ranked teams - 19 Oklahoma State (19 point win) and 1 Nebraska (10 point win). Defense allowed only 206 total yards per game. The Sooners picked off 25 passes and only allowed 3 passing TDs all season. The offense had 6 players rush for 500+ yards, all of which averaged over 6 yards per carry. OU ran for 429 yards per game.
#2 - Miami (11-0, independent)
Canes had the second-best scoring D in country. Scheduled featured 5 ranked opponents, with Miami blowing out three of those (#20 Florida, #10 Arkansas, #10 ND). One-point win @ #4 FSU. Four-point win vs #8 South Carolina. Held six opponents to 10 points or less. Offense led by QB Steve Walsh, who threw just 4 INT in 300 ATT, throwing to Michael Irvin and Brian Blades. Balanced, pro-style offense. People are unsure if coach Jimmy Johnson can win the big one - Miami has been the favorite the past 2 seasons going into their bowl game with a potential NC on the line and lost both games.
#3 - FSU (10-1, independent)
Seminoles had the #2 scoring offense in the country. FSU split their 2 games vs ranked opponents, falling to #3 Miami by 1 point and dominating #6 Auburn by 28. The Noles scored 40+ points six times and allowed 10 points or fewer six times as well. FSU's run game is the strength of the offense, led by 1200 yard rusher Sammie Smith (7.2 ypc). QB McManus was a game manager. CB Deion Sanders shuts down one half of the field and is an electrifying punt returner. The Noles only allow 42% of passes to be completed against them.
#4 - Syracuse (11-0, independent)
Undefeated Orangemen began season unranked. Blew out only ranked opponent #10 Penn St 48-21. Balanced offense averaged 220 yards passing and 211 rushing. QB McPherson led the country in passer rating, with a very high yards-per-attempt avg. That meant big plays downfield, as leading receiver Tommy Kane averaged 22 ypc and 14 TD. McPherson was the runner up for the Heisman Trophy.
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Notable players involved:
QB Don McPherson, Syracuse (Davey O'Brien, Untias, Maxwell, and Baugh Winner, 1st team AA)
LB Paul McGowan, FSU (Butkus winner)
S Rickey Dixon, Oklahoma (Thorpe winner, 1st team AA)
S Bennie Blades, Miami (Thorpe winner - split award, 1st team AA)
TE Keith Jackson, Oklahoma (1st team AA)
OL Mark Hutson, Oklahoma (1st team AA)
DL Ted Gregory, Syracuse (1st team AA)
DE Daniel Stubbs, Miami (1st team AA)
LB Dante Jones, Oklahoma (1st team AA)
CB Deion Sanders, FSU (1st team AA)
Who would win the NC on the field? Voting open for 5 days.
