Nine weeks into the 2017 season, the CFB Playoff is no longer about just undefeated teams. Alabama football sits at the top or does it?
Alabama football sits on top of CFB after week nine of the 2017 season. With the CFB Playoff committee releasing the first 2017 ranking on October 31st, the Tide will be in the Top 4 of the first Playoff ranking.
The number of undefeated Power Five conference teams has dwindled to four after weekend losses by Penn State and TCU.
Losing a single game to a Power Five team does not knock a team out of the CFB Playoff hunt. Even if that loss is to an unranked team. In the short history of the CFB Playoff committee selections, two losses is a deal breaker. While it is hard to argue precedence based on the short history of the Playoff, so far a two-loss team, even with a conference championship, misses out on a playoff berth.
Let’s look at all the Power Five conference leaders.
Atlantic Coast Conference
The ACC has one undefeated team: Miami (7-0) in the Coastal Division. Also in the Coastal, Virginia Tech is (7-1)
Clemson is (7-1) in the Atlantic Division.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Miami and Clemson.
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 has no undefeated teams. TCU is (7-1) after losing to Iowa State. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are also (7-1).
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – TCU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State can play their way in at one loss.
Big Ten Conference
Wisconsin (8-0) is the B1G Ten West leader. Wisconsin should make the conference championship game. Ohio State’s win after PennState’s 4th quarter collapse on Saturday gives the Buckeyes the edge in reaching the B1G Ten title game.
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – Wisconsin and Ohio State
Pac 12 Conference
There are no undefeated teams in the Pac 12. After Saturday night’s Wazzu loss to Arizona, the conference has only one, one-loss team. If a Pac 12 South team wins the conference championship game, the conference could miss the CFB Playoff.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Washington (7-1)
Southeastern Conference
Alabama football continues its march toward another championship run. After Georgia destroyed Florida on Saturday, the Bulldogs are a near-lock to make the SEC title game.
SEC EAST
Georgia (8-0 overall) 5-0
South Carolina (6-2 overall) 4-2
Kentucky (6-2 overall) 3-2
Florida (3-4 overall) 3-3
Tennessee (3-5 overall) 0-5
Vanderbilt (3-5 overall) 0-5
Missouri (3-5 overall) 0-4
SEC West
Alabama (8-0 overall) 5-0
Auburn (6-2 overall) 4-1
LSU (6-2 overall) 3-1
Mississippi State (6-2 overall) 3-2
Texas A&M (5-3 overall) 3-2
Arkansas (3-5 overall) 1-4
Ole Miss (3-5 overall) 1-4
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – Alabama and Georgia
CFB Playoff Top Eight Projection for October 31, ranking.
BIG Disclaimer: This is nothing more than the opinion of the author. It is only one fan’s best guess about week one of the CFB Playoff rankings.
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Clemson
- Oklahoma
- Ohio State
- Wisconsin
- Miami
Next: What's next in 2018 recruiting of D-linemen and CB's?
The CFB Playoff debate is heating up quickly. Could a two-loss team qualify for the first time? Does an undefeated UCF team have a chance to be in the top 10, and move up in later weeks? What about good losses, bad losses and strength of schedule (SOS)? Check back with us soon for our opinion about SOS and how it affects Alabama football this playoff season.