photo by: Nick Krug

Baylor running back Shock Linwood leaps over the pile toward the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter at McLane Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 in Waco, Texas.

Florida State beat every team it played and nobody else can say that.

Under normal circumstances, that ought to be enough to keep playing for a national title. But with a six-team logjam with only four national-playoff spots available, it’s time for the selection committee members to toss out all conventional thinking and vote based on one parameter.

Each member needs to ask herself or himself: Which four teams are the best in the nation?

Based on that, here’s how I would vote:

1. Ohio State: Nobody had a more impressive victory this season than the Buckeyes’ 59-0 domination of a good Wisconsin team that features the nation’s best running back, Melvin Gordon. And the Buckeyes did it with their third-string quarterback.

Heisman hopeful Braxton Miller lost his entire season to injury. J.T. Barrett played his way into Heisman contention before going down with an injury. Cardale Jones led the Buckeyes to the Saturday night romp of the Badgers.

2. Oregon: Leading Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota (38 touchdown passes, two interceptions) passed for 300-plus yards for the seventh time in Friday’s 51-13 blasting of No. 7 Arizona. Nobody has more speed than the Ducks.

3. Alabama: The Crimson Tide defense is second to none.

4. Baylor: The Bears defeated TCU, always the best tie-breaker.

Florida State didn’t lose a game but probably would have lost a couple if it played in the SEC or Big 12.

Those are my four best teams in the nation and that’s how I would vote. That’s not how I think the committee will vote. The six teams are so close, so let the screaming about the need to expand the field to eight begin.

Best guess on how the committee will seed the first playoff: 1. Alabama, 2. Oregon, 3. Florida State, 4. Ohio State. Nick Saban and Urban Meyer coaching in one semifinal, last season’s Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston going against Mariota, this season’s Heisman favorite in the other semi.

No matter what the committee decides, two schools will be furious and will have plenty to back up their feelings. If this were an eight-team playoff, two schools would feel fortunate to join the six college football teams that stand at the front of the class. This season’s outrage will make the eight-team format arrive sooner even than no doubt secretly planned, which is why I’m happy two schools’ fan bases will be furious starting today and ending maybe never.