Ten weeks in, the CFB Playoff hunt was redefined by losses to top teams. Check out the Power Five contenders and where Alabama football stands in the Playoff picture.
The CFB Playoff committee released the first 2017 ranking on October 31st and the Tide was No. 2 behind Georgia. CFB Week 10 saw some favorites drop out of contention. Where will Alabama football be ranked after the LSU win?
The number of undefeated Power Five conference teams remains at four but the group of one-loss teams dropped from losses by Penn State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech.
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. If that pattern holds true, the CFB Playoff field now sits at only nine teams.
Outside the Power Five teams, there are other one-loss teams and UCF that remains undefeated. None of those Group of Five teams are included in what we define as CFB Playoff contenders.
Before looking at the Power Five conference leaders, a disclaimer. Never a two-loss Playoff team does not mean the precedent will always hold. There are two-loss teams, that can win a conference championship and knockout two undefeated teams above them. If either Auburn or Mississippi State win out by beating Alabama and Georgia (for Auburn it would mean beating Georgia twice) they would become legitimate Playoff contenders.
Atlantic Coast Conference
The ACC has one undefeated team: Miami (8-0) in the Coastal Division. The Canes play Notre Dame next. Clemson is (7-1) in the Atlantic Division. Miami and Clemson should play for the ACC title.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Miami and Clemson.
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 has no undefeated teams. TCU is (8-1) after beating Texas. Oklahoma is (8-1) after beating Oklahoma State.
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – TCU and Oklahoma can play their way in at one loss.
Big Ten Conference
Wisconsin (9-0) is the B1G Ten West leader. Four B1G Ten East teams have a chance to finish with two losses and make the conference title game: Michigan State; Ohio State; Penn State and Michigan. The Spartans and the Buckeyes with only one current conference loss have the advantage. Those two teams play each other next.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Wisconsin
PAC 12 Conference
The conference championship should be decided between the Washington vs. Washington State winner and USC. A two-loss PAC 12 champion will be very vulnerable to missing the CFB Playoff.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Washington (8-1)
Southeastern Conference
Georgia (9-0) will play in the SEC title game. The opponent will be Alabama (9-0), Auburn (7-2) or Mississippi State (7-2).
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Clearly Alabama football and Georgia win out and qualify. Either team with only a single loss might still have a chance. National sentiment will be strongly opposed to two teams from the SEC making the Playoff field.
SEC EAST
Georgia (9-0 overall) 6-0
South Carolina (6-3 overall) 4-3
Kentucky (6-3 overall) 3-3
Florida (3-5 overall) 3-4
Missouri (4-5 overall) 1-4
Tennessee (4-5 overall) 0-5
Vanderbilt (4-5 overall) 0-5
SEC West
Alabama (9-0 overall) 6-0
Auburn (7-2 overall) 5-1
Mississippi State (7-2 overall) 4-2
LSU (6-3 overall) 3-2
Texas A&M (5-4 overall) 3-3
Ole Miss (4-5 overall) 2-4
Arkansas (4-5 overall) 1-4
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – Alabama and Georgia
CFB Playoff Top Eight Projection for the Nov. 7, ranking.
BIG Disclaimer: This is nothing more than the opinion of the author. It is only one fan’s best guess about week two of the CFB Playoff rankings.
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Clemson
- Oklahoma
- Wisconsin
- Miami
- TCU
Next: For the Playoffs, how much does SOS matter?
The CFB Playoff debate is heating up quickly and Alabama football is again in a strong position. 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)? It is a lot to consider but we give it a shot every Sunday.