CFB: Games That Will Decide the CFP
The College Football Playoff Committee just released the third installment of their 2017-18 rankings, and if the season ended today, the top-four teams would be No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Miami, and No. 4 Oklahoma, with No. 5 Wisconsin, No. 6 Auburn, and No. 7 Georgia on the outside. But, there are still two weeks remaining in the regular season, prior to Championship Week, which means we're certain that at least one team will fall out of the field, and it's possible that two or even three could slip-up.
In fact, heading into Week 12 in 2014 (No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 4 TCU) and 2015 (No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Notre Dame), two of the four teams would eventually fall out of the top-four and fail to make the playoff. And in 2016 (No. 3 Michigan), Jim Harbaugh's team would falter. Heck, even in 2014, the eventual champions (No. 8 Ohio State) were directly behind Arizona State and Baylor. All I'm trying to say is that a lot can change in three weeks. Here are five games that will decide which teams reach the four-annual CFP.
1. SEC Title Game - Alabama/Auburn vs. Georgia (December 2): The SEC title game always seems to have playoff ramifications, as Alabama has won it the past three seasons, two over Florida, and have ascended to the CFP in all three years. But this year, it's extra meaningful because the three teams that still have an opportunity to play in this game, Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia, are all ranked between one and seven. For the first time in a while, the Crimson Tide seem slightly vulnerable after the way Auburn was able to shut down Georgia's running game. However, I'd still put my money on Nick Saban and Jalen Hurts.
Prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0).
2. Auburn vs. Alabama (November 25): The Iron Bowl, similarly to the SEC Championship Game, is a must watch year in and year out, but this one will have an extra kick to it as well, something we haven't been treated to since the famous Kick Six in 2013. The winner of this game will move on to the SEC title game to face the Bulldogs, and if either Alabama or Auburn can run the table, then they're shoo-ins for the CFP. I think the Tigers are greatly improved this season, after last year's Sugar Bowl appearance, but I'm not sure they have what it takes to defeat the mighty Crimson Tide, even as Alabama's injuries continue to stack up.
Prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0).
3. ACC Title Game - Clemson vs. Miami (December 2): The ACC title game is virtually a CFP quarterfinal this year, as long as both Clemson and Miami keep their records intact. The Tigers have one loss, but are still in a great spot to reach their third playoff in a row, while the Hurricanes are unbeaten and if all goes as planned, will make their first ever appearance in the CFP. As it stands right now, I'd take Kelly Bryant and Clemson because of their experience and talented defensive front, but this pick will probably go back-and-forth a time or two over the next couple of weeks. Either way, the winner will have a seat at the table.
Prediction: Clemson Tigers (12-1).
4. Big Ten Title Game - Ohio State/Michigan vs. Wisconsin (December 2): The Big Ten title game was a thriller last year as Penn State upset Wisconsin, but it ended up not resulting in a CFP berth. This year? A lot could still happen. One thing we do know is that Wisconsin is in. The other side isn't as clear. If Ohio State wins out, it's there, but Michigan and Penn State are holding on to a sliver of hope as well. If the Badgers can finish the regular season 13-0, then they're obviously in, but what happens if Ohio State wins their next three and is 11-2 with a Big Ten title? And that's not a very far stretch.
Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2).
5. Oklahoma vs. West Virginia (November 25): The Sooners and Mountaineers will play on the final week of the regular season with Big 12 championship aspirations for both programs, as they still have a chance to get into the conference title game. All Oklahoma needs to do is win one of their final two games and they're in, while West Virginia needs some outside help, as well as pulling off an upset in this one. If Baker Mayfield and Co. wish to make their second playoff appearance in the last three seasons, they'll have to win out with no room for error, and a triumph in this one could go a very long way into doing so.
Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners (11-1).
Photo Credit: CBS Sports.
