Author: George Schroeder, USA TODAY

Chaos scenarios for College Football Playoff were avoided during championship weekend, but LSU probably did enough to jump Ohio State for No. 1 spot.

With Alabama now out of the College Football Playoff debate, the focus shifts to the Big 12 (either Baylor or Oklahoma) and Pac-12 favorite Utah.

Ohio State jumped out to a 21-point lead before Penn State rallied. But the Buckeyes rebounded to beat the Nittany Lions and lock up the Big Ten East.

Oregon AD Rob Mullens is the College Football Playoff selection committee chairman, but due to recusal policies he can’t really discuss No. 6 Ducks.

Oklahoma is flawed but also formidable, capable of maddening mistakes but also long stretches of dominance as its comeback against Baylor shows.

Oklahoma trailed by 25, but the Sooners kept fighting and rallied to knock off Baylor with a late field goal that kept their playoff hopes alive.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went down with a potentially serious hip injury, but it wasn’t Nick Saban’s fault he was still in the game.

In three years, Matt Rhule has rebuilt the Baylor Bears from 1-11 to 9-0. A showdown with Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma is up next.

Georgia is No. 4 this week in College Football Playoff rankings because selection committee saw Alabama’s defense get shredded by LSU.