Upsets, upsets, and upsets! That’s what we got this past weekend. Several teams saw their playoff hopes disappear into thin air after they stumbled for the second (or in Baylor’s case first) time this year.
As things sit now, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Houston are the only teams who still have unblemished records at this point in the season.
With games still left on the regular season schedule and conference championship games left to be played (except for the Big 12) there is still a lot that could happen before the playoff spots are set in stone.
Here is how I have the playoff picture sitting after this past weekend.
The Final Four
- Clemson
The Tigers are a lock to make it into the ACC title game, as one of their two remaining regular season games is an out of conference matchup against in-state rival South Carolina. They will more than likely get North Carolina from the other side of the conference, and they have been playing some good football this year.
- Ohio State
Good luck finding someone who has a tougher road to the playoff. The Buckeyes must get wins over Michigan State, Michigan, and Iowa in order to make it in, and that will be far from easy. As much as people wanted to talk about Ohio State’s schedule, they won’t be able to coast into the playoff and may be one of the most battled tested teams come playoff time if they don’t stumble.
- Oklahoma State
The Cowboys survived a trip to Ames this past weekend, but they also have a tough two game stretch standing between them and a Big 12 championship. They must play host to both Baylor and their in-state rival Oklahoma to clinch their spot in the playoff. Pull that off, and there is no way they get left out of the playoff.
- Alabama
The Tide put another solid win on their resume against Mississippi State in Starkville, and they get a cupcake before taking on Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Auburn hasn’t been great this year, but there is never a sure thing in rivalry games, and on top of that they will draw Florida in the SEC title game. If the Tide ends up stumbling before the end of the year things will get really interesting for the final playoff spot.
Just Missed the Cut
- Iowa
Win out with an upset win over Ohio State, and they will make the playoff. No way an undefeated conference champion from a Power 5 conference gets left out.
- Notre Dame
The Irish are in a great spot in case someone stumbles ahead of them. They still have Stanford on the schedule and a late season win over the Cardinal would be hard to ignore for the committee considering all of the adversity they have navigated through.
- Oklahoma
The Sooners marched into Waco and took down the Bears. They’ve battled back into the playoff picture, but I don’t think a one loss Big 12 team will make it into the playoff unless all hell breaks loose at the top of the rankings.
- Florida
It’s quite simple for the Gators. They must take down Alabama in the SEC title game to even have a shot at the playoff.
- Houston
How about them Cougars?!? Tom Herman’s bunch navigated the comeback trail against Memphis this past weekend to stay undefeated. Not only did they pull off the comeback, they did it with a backup quarterback under center with Greg Ward out with an injury. Like I have said in previous weeks, winning all of your games means something in my book. If they win out, they will be in the conversation.