Michael Felder, "We need to realize this is 2017 Alabama and not 2016, 2015, 2014."

Each week, Micheal Felder joins us to break down the storylines in college football. This week, we were on during the release of the College Football Playoff rankings.

On Alabama's schedule:

I think there are a lot of people who want to trade solely on the brand name. While brand-name plays a part in it, we need to realize this is 2017 Alabama and not 2016, 2015, or 2014. This is 2017 Alabama, and they have major flaws on the offensive line that do not allow them to be as dominant as they have been in the past running the football.

This is one of those things where a team is not what they've been in the past. The big thing for me is what makes you want to defend this Alabama team against anybody? Because I don't see it.

On Todd Ellis saying Clemson and South Carolina were 'equal':

I think it's one of those things that you're hoping will come to fruition more than your eyes are really telling you. I don't think it's a negative thing for South Carolina to take a beating in a game like that.

I know it hurts pride, but at the end of the day, that is a measuring stick. This (Clemson) is a program that's a national title contender. South Carolina is not that yet.

We saw them lose a game 'this close" to Georgia; we saw them lose a game to Clemson that wasn't close, so they know, "this is how far we've got to go to get to where we want to be." I think those things can be motivating factors

On Miami using 58-0 against the Tigers:

I think because it's a completely different coaching staff it will help out. I believe this Saturday it will be a measuring stick for them (Miami) to find out how far they've come with everything on the line.