Why eight preseason ranked teams will go from CFB Playoff Contenders to Pretenders

ESPN is selling CFB Playoff possibilities. In describing the 12-team format, two favorite ESPN words are "inclusion" and "interest." Both words are accurate. There will be more teams, and fan interest is destined to reach an all-time high. In true spinmaster fashion, ESPN teases what could unfold as "historic."

Anyone who follows college basketball knows that there are thousands of Bracket predictions every year. CFB Playoff field predictions might become more numerous than basketball Bracketology. It will be great fun. Reporters and fans must produce Playoff predictions without knowing how the CFB Playoff Selection will choose its at-large teams. A guess is the committee doesn't yet know either, which is not to suggest they will do anything but a fine job.

Instead of debating the teams that will make the Playoff field, let's consider a contrarian approach. Let's talk about projected contenders that will not make the field. We'll focus on teams that have such demanding schedules not losing three regular season games will be a major obstacle. Added to the group will be some, already overrated teams. We'll also factor in practical limitations. The SEC and the Big Ten will likely get six of the seven at-large slots. In ESPN's FPI rankings, only two, of the top 14 teams come from outside the B1G and the SEC.