After week eight, we have a somewhat clearer picture of who has a chance at the College Football Playoff. Let’s take a look at who is still in the race.
After a week eight that saw Utah go down to USC, there are just a number of teams that are still eligible for the College Football Playoff. Let’s take a look at the teams who still could make a run at a playoff spot by conference and what to expect from those teams the rest of the way.
Here are the teams that still have a realistic chance of making the College Football Playoff.
**I want to preface this by saying I don’t necessarily agree with all the teams being considered, but many will get the benefit of the doubt because they are from a certain conference or have a certain brand.***
ACC- Clemson
Clemson is the only team from the ACC that has a chance to make the College Football Playoff. After Florida State’s heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech, that leaves the Tigers as the last undefeated team in the conference. Unfortunately, the committee will not consider a one-loss ACC team unless extremely bazaar circumstances occurred. The Tigers are in position for a spot, however, as they have a manageable schedule and if they can finish with an undefeated slate, they will be in.
SEC- LSU, Alabama, Florida
These are the three teams that realistically could make a case to be in the College Football Playoff from the SEC. Now, if you want to count two-loss teams, things get a lot more unclear, but for now I just put in the one-loss teams. If any of these three schools finish with one-loss and win the conference, they will be in based off perception alone. Not saying it’s right, but it’s the truth…unfortunately.
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BIG 10- Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa
These are the three undefeated teams in the Big 10. Ohio State could probably lose one, say against Michigan, and still win the Big 10 and be considered for the playoff. Iowa has no room for error and as soon as they lose (it will happen), they will be eliminated. Michigan State has been good thus far, but still are a long way from finishing the season undefeated. I’m not sure the committee will consider a one-loss Big 10 team unless it’s Ohio State and even then it’d be tough to justify them being in if they were to lose late in the season. Most likely the team from the Big 10 will have to be undefeated to go to the College Football Playoff.
BIG 12- Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma
I’m trying to include every team that still has a chance, that is why Oklahoma is in there. Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State still have a chance to go undefeated and if any of the three do, they will be in the College Football Playoff. However, if all four of these teams finished with one-loss, it could be possible you would see any of them take the final spot. The reason it’s not likely, however, is because of the Big 12’s lack of a Championship game. The Playoff committee will consider a one-loss PAC 12 or SEC team that played a Championship game over a BIG 12 winner that did not.
PAC 12- Utah, Stanford
These are the last remaining one-loss PAC 12 teams. To be honest, I expect both of these programs to lose another game, but for now they are in the range with all the other one-loss teams. Utah is probably eliminated due to their embarrassing loss to USC, but if the Utes bounced back and finished 12-1 with a PAC 12 championship, perception may change around that program by that time.
Other: Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s only loss so far this season was on the road at number-three Clemson. The Fighting Irish beat USC, who just beat Utah, and they are already back to number-nine in the nation in the AP Poll. Notre Dame will have a chance to prove why they deserved to be considered when they play nationally ranked Temple and Pittsburgh in back-to-back weeks. Also, don’t forget the Irish will play Stanford (currently ranked eighth in the nation) in the final week of the season. If Notre Dame goes undefeated from this point out and finishes 11-1, you can bet they will be considered as a one-loss team for the College Football Playoff.
Next: Clemson vs Miami: Photo Gallery
No, I did not mention Memphis or Houston. I believe these four spots will be decided within undefeated and one-loss power-five teams.
Make sure you check back here on Rubbing the Rock as we will release the resumes of each of these teams tomorrow and give you our updated predictions for the College Football Playoff.