Even if the top four teams — Alabama, Clemson, Miami and Oklahoma — remain entrenched in the rankings Tuesday, a number of others could find their way into the College Football Playoff.
WASHINGTON — We’re down to the last couple weeks of games that will impact this year’s national championship picture and help determine the four College Football Playoff teams. There shouldn’t be too much movement (if any) from last week, with the Top 4 in the CFP rankings all winning. Obviously, those four — Alabama, Clemson, Miami and Oklahoma — can all win their way in. But which other teams are still alive for a shot at the national title? There are teams with good chances and those with only the faintest of prayers, but here are the schools still in the hunt.
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Wisconsin (11-0)
Remaining: at Minnesota, vs. Ohio State (B1G Championship Game)
Even if Wisconsin is still on the outside looking in come Tuesday night, the Badgers clearly control their own destiny. However, the Badgers can’t afford anything less than two more wins. Assuming they beat Minnesota, they’ll have to take down Ohio State to make the playoff. The Buckeyes may well be their toughest opponent all year, but the committee is not leaving an undefeated Power 5 conference champion at home. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Auburn (9-2)
Remaining: vs. Alabama, vs. Georgia (SEC Championship Game)*
The Tigers certainly felt overrated at No. 6 last week. But that’s just more support for the reality that, with a win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl* and a repeat victory over Georgia, this two-loss SEC Champion would be in. It’s almost the nightmare scenario for the committee, especially if Clemson edges Miami in the ACC title game. That would mean leaving a one-loss Miami AND a one-loss Alabama out to take a two-loss conference champion. Brutal.
(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images
Georgia (10-1)
Remaining: at Georgia Tech, vs. Alabama/Auburn (SEC Championship Game)
Don’t cry for the Bulldogs after that beating they took from Auburn. They handled business against Kentucky, and have another chance at a solid win at Georgia Tech this weekend. Assuming they don’t trip up there, they’ll get Alabama or Auburn again in the SEC title game in a situation where they’ll control their own destiny. That’s right, the Dawgs won’t need any additional help — win that, and they’re in, end of story, no matter what else happens.
(Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images
Notre Dame (9-2)
The Irish didn’t do themselves any favors, needing to escape Navy at home a week after being lit on fire by Miami. But both their losses are to teams currently in the Top 10, and their impressive win over USC still stands out. That said, the Irish need to beat Stanford, probably convincingly, and need plenty of help. They likely also need the Bama/Miami/Wisconsin trifecta, but without a conference championship game, they’ll be stuck hoping their resume holds up better than a two-loss conference champion USC or TCU. The fact that the committee had them above each last week is a good sign that reputation could hold.
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Ohio State (9-2)
Remaining: at Michigan, vs. Wisconsin (B1G Championship Game)
The Buckeyes are here again to make everyone lose their mind. You can see it, right there, right out in front of you. Ohio State heads to the Big House this weekend, where they get a chance to bolster their resume with a win against Michigan before getting (a likely) 12-0 Wisconsin in the B1G title game. Crush the undefeated Badgers, and if Alabama, Miami and Oklahoma win out ahead, it’s easy to see the Buckeyes snagging the fourth spot. A third loss from Notre Dame and USC would just about seal it.
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
USC (10-2)
Remaining: vs. Washington St./Stanford (Pac-12 Championship Game)
Yes, really, but it won’t be easy. The Trojans need A LOT to happen, starting with Alabama winning out to remove both Auburn and Georgia from contention. They also need Miami to beat Clemson in the ACC title game, and Wisconsin to do the same to Ohio State. But the real help they need is in the Big 12. Basically, USC is pulling for TCU to lose to Baylor, then have one of the three-loss teams beat Oklahoma for the Big 12 crown. Oh, right, and Notre Dame has to fall to Stanford. If all those things happen (and USC beats the Pac-12 North winner), the Trojans will be the only two-loss conference champ among the Pac-12 and Big 12. It’s not going to happen, but it could happen.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
TCU (9-2)
Remaining: vs. Baylor, vs. Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship Game)*
The Horned Frogs can still see their path to destiny without too much fog. Beat Baylor (*to earn a spot in the title game), beat OU, win the Big 12. Hope the Big Ten East winner doesn’t take down Wisconsin, and that Miami beats Clemson in the ACC title game. And pull for Alabama to win out. Hope USC loses the Pac-12 title game to a three-loss Stanford. That would leave three undefeateds and a slew of two-loss clubs, but only one conference champion.
(Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images
UCF (10-0)
Remaining: vs. USF, vs. Memphis (AAC Championship Game)
This is the true chaos scenario. But imagining three undefeated conference champs in Alabama, Miami and Wisconsin, if the Pac-12 and Big 12 are won by flawed teams with at least two losses, there is a sliver of sunlight for the Knights. Their strength of schedule will get a nice jump from playing two straight ranked teams to finish the season in South Florida and Memphis, a pair of conference foes with quality Power 5 wins (Temple, UCLA). It might not be fair, but beauty points will matter. If UCF blows out the Bulls and the Tigers to finish 12-0, they’ll have made the strongest possible case. If they still don’t make it, we’ll be left wondering what effect that cancelled game against Georgia Tech may have had.
(Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
