The additions of the transfer portal, name, image and likeness (NIL) and now the 12-team playoff have led to the most exciting college football season since 2007. Who’s still got a shot?
Here are the CFP rankings as of Week 11, after Week 12’s conclusion:
Breakdown
Should be in:
Miami: With only one loss, Miami seems like a near lock for the playoff, and likely a top four seed through winning the ACC championship. They end the year against Wake Forest and at Syracuse.
Oregon: Oregon has great wins against Boise State and Ohio State, and have cruised through the rest of their schedule. They’re a lock for the playoff and the Big Ten championship game.
Ohio State: Ohio State has played exceptional football. They host darling Indiana this weekend in a defacto Big Ten championship semifinal.
Penn State: Penn State’s resume isn’t great: their best win is a 6-3 Illinois team. The Nittany Lions end against Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland.
Indiana: Indiana has blown out everyone they’ve played except for Michigan. Head Coach Curt Cignetti’s team can show that they’re for real at Ohio State this weekend. If they win, they’ll be in the Big Ten championship game.
Texas: Texas has largely taken care of business, with the exception of getting beat 30-15 by Georgia in a game that was not as close as the score would indicate. They host Kentucky, then end at hated rival Texas A&M.
Alabama: Having already sustained two losses at Vanderbilt and Tennessee, Alabama’s margin for making it to the playoff is pretty thin. The Crimson Tide control their destiny towards making the SEC championship game.
Georgia: Georgia, with two losses, bounced back and defeated Tennessee this weekend, adding another impressive win. They play UMass and rival Georgia Tech, who upset Miami.
Ole Miss: Despite a bad loss against a mediocre Kentucky team earlier this year, as well as a loss at LSU, they control their destiny. They have wins over South Carolina and Georgia, and end the season at an improving Florida and against Egg Bowl rival Mississippi State.
Notre Dame: Despite a loss to mid-major Northern Illinois, Notre Dame has played winning football. They play against undefeated Army at Yankee Stadium, and then at rival USC to end the year. They’re ineligible for the top four seeds due to their independent status.
Boise State: The Broncos have cruised through their Mountain West schedule, with Heisman hopeful running back Ashton Jeanty leading the way. If they win out, they’ll likely get a top four seed as one of the highest ranked conference champions.
Has a shot:
SMU: The Mustangs have only one loss: a high-quality one to out-of-conference BYU. Since they have no conference losses, they control their destiny to make the ACC Championship in Charlotte.
Clemson: Clemson has beaten up inferior competition, and survived a scare at Pitt last weekend. Their season finale is at home against a red-hot South Carolina squad.
BYU: BYU crashed down to earth, losing to a bad Kansas team. They play Arizona State and Houston to end the year. BYU’s loss confirms that the Big 12 will be a one bid league.
Colorado: The Buffalos have losses against the only two teams with a pulse they’ve played: Nebraska and Kansas State. They control their own destiny when it comes to making the Big 12 championship game.
Iowa State: Iowa State started 7-0, but have crashed back down to earth, dropping their last two games against Texas Tech and Kansas. The Cyclones don’t control their destiny towards making the Big 12 championship, so they’ll need a lot of help.
Texas A&M: With two losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina, the Aggies need to beat Auburn, and then rival Texas in order to make it to the SEC championship game. The path is clear.
Army: The Black Knights play Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium this weekend. If they win, they’ll be in. They’ve clinched an AAC championship game berth as well.
Updated College Football Playoff rankings release every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
