Selection committee clears path for Stanford (or Utah?) to playoff

Kevin Hogan and Stanford could be looking at top-10 matchups against Notre Dame and Utah to end the season.The College Football Playoff Selection committee winked at Stanford when the second iteration of its rankings were revealed Tuesday evening. That wink essentially said, "We see you Stanford. We've got a pretty good idea of how to measure you for a playoff spot."

How so?

Well, for one, the committee made clear that one loss doesn't a season ruin. It ranked Alabama No. 2, ahead of four unbeaten Power 5 teams. The Crimson Tide is getting a pass for its home loss to a mediocre Ole Miss team because: 1. The Crimson Tide have looked good in every other game of a rugged schedule, including a…