CFB: The Playoff Eliminator Pt. 2
ACC:
1. Boston College (3-1)
2. Clemson (4-0)
3. Duke (4-0)
4. Miami (4-1)
5. NC State (3-0)
There were five teams cut from the ACC dating back to the last CFP Eliminator, as Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech lost at least game each. The Seminoles and Yellow Jackets have multiple losses, while Va Tech inexplicably lost to Old Dominion last weekend. Boston College and Miami both have a loss, to Purdue and LSU respectively, but there is still a lot of time to bounce back. Then there are the top three undefeated ACC teams who still have a realistic shot at the playoff. That lists consists of Clemson, Duke, and NC State. The Tigers are still the overwhelming favorites and should end the season as the only ACC team in the playoff. Clemson's next opponent is Syracuse, the only team that beat them in the conference last year.
Big Ten:
6. Iowa (3-1)
7. Maryland (3-1)
8. Michigan (3-1)
9. Michigan State (2-1)
10. Ohio State (4-0)
11. Penn State (4-0)
12. Wisconsin (3-1)
There has been a ton of movement in the conference over the last month, but it's still pretty clear who the top four teams are: Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The Buckeyes look like one of the best teams in the country as QB Dwayne Haskins is clicking on all cylinders to start the season. Michigan and Wisconsin each have a loss (to Notre Dame and BYU), but if either of them were to run the table, then it's almost a certainty they'd find themselves in the Final Four. Penn State has gotten off to a 4-0 start, but will face Ohio State this coming weekend. The winner of that will have the inside track on winning the Big Ten and possibly reaching the CFP. Iowa, Maryland, and Michigan State are other programs to watch.
Big 12:
13. Baylor (3-1)
14. Oklahoma (4-0)
15. Oklahoma State (3-1)
16. Texas (3-1)
17. Texas Tech (3-1)
18. West Virginia (3-0)
The Big 12 has faired pretty well over the first month of the season as they still have 60 percent of their teams alive in the national title conversation. Now of course we don't expect Texas Tech to finish 11-1, but with their offense, it's a possibility. The same could be said for Baylor and Oklahoma State. However, it seems obvious who the three best teams are: Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Texas. The Sooners and Mountaineers are off to unbeaten starts, but the Longhorns have a pair of ranked wins over USC and TCU. If any of those three win the rest of the way, it's virtually a guarantee that they'll be in the CFP. Oklahoma seems like the safest bet, but with QB Will Grier, West Virginia (and possibly Texas) could pull off an upset.
Pac-12:
19. California (3-0)
20. Colorado (3-0)
21. Oregon (3-1)
22. Stanford (4-0)
23. Washington (3-1)
24. Washington State (3-1)
The Pac-12 hasn't exactly looked that impressive. Arizona State knocked off a ranked Michigan State in Week 2, but haven't won since, losing to San Diego State and Washington. Speaking of the Huskies, they went down in the opener to Auburn, before winning their last three. Stanford and Oregon faced off in one of the best games of the year thus far, and the Cardinal survived. There are three undefeated teams: California, Colorado, and Stanford. Stanford looks like the top team in the Pac-12 for the time being, but they have a huge test against Notre Dame tomorrow. They'll need that win in South Bend to stay in serious contention. Washington is likely the second best team, but can no longer afford a slip-up given their loss to the Tigers.
SEC:
25. Alabama (4-0)
26. Auburn (3-1)
27. Georgia (4-0)
28. LSU (4-0)
29. Kentucky (4-0)
30. Mississippi State (3-1)
The SEC has four teams that haven't lost yet: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and LSU. With all due respect to the Wildcats' impressive start, they're not going to go 12-0. It's just not realistic. 10-2 seems like the absolute ceiling. The other the programs, and we might as well throw Auburn in there with them, all still control their own destiny. LSU has a pair of big time wins over Miami and Auburn, and the SEC West title will probably go through Baton Rouge. The Tigers will probably be 6-0 going into their matchup with Georgia, and then Alabama will come to town later on. If LSU can just split those games then they might just win the division. With all that said, the clear favorite remains Alabama, who are playing better than ever right now.
Others:
31. Buffalo (4-0)
32. Cincinnati (4-0)
33. Notre Dame (4-0)
34. South Florida (4-0)
35. UCF (3-0)
Three of the five teams from our Group of Five (plus Notre Dame) selections lost a game, and when you're not in the Power Five, you absolutely have to go undefeated to have a chance to reach the CFP. Buffalo is 4-0 for now, but we saw a couple of years ago with Western Michigan that a 13-0 MAC champion still won't sniff anywhere near the playoff. However, a trio of AAC teams have an outside shot of landing a berth in the four-team bracket. Cincinnati has gotten off to a good start with a win over UCLA, while South Florida took it to Georgia Tech and Illinois. UCF still hasn't lost a game since last year, and are up to No. 13 in the rankings. They're a long shot but it's possible. Notre Dame sits at 4-0 right now are a shoe-in if they stay unbeaten.
Photo Credit: Bear Insider.
