As expected, the Big Ten and SEC are in position to dominate the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The big question in this week’s bracket projection is how many teams the two power conferences will place in the field. The combined total currently stands at seven: four from the SEC and three from the Big Ten.
The predicted conference champions are now Georgia and Oregon, with the Ducks moving into the Big Ten driver’s seat thanks to the win against Ohio State and the Buckeyes’ struggles this past weekend against Nebraska. The expectation of Oregon running the table through the conference championship game pushes the Ducks into the No. 1 overall seed in the bracket and slides Georgia down to No. 2.
The scenario might change this weekend based on what happens when the Ohio State travels to Penn State in one of the defining games of the regular season. A loss wouldn’t eliminate the Buckeyes from at-large contention, though that would result in the Nittany Lions and Oregon being on track to decide the Big Ten.
Over in the SEC, the debate is less over which team is favored to win the league — that has to be Georgia based on how the Bulldogs beat Texas — and more about the crowded crop of contenders with one or two losses. This group includes Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU and Alabama. Another team that can vault back into the picture is Mississippi, should the Rebels score a mammoth upset against Georgia on Nov. 9.
But it is the Aggies and Volunteers that have worked their way into the playoff this week at the expense of the Tigers and Iowa State in the Big 12.
College Football Playoff bracket projection
Notre Dame continues to move past September’s loss to Northern Illinois. After trouncing Navy on Saturday, the Fighting Irish are beginning to look like one of the safest picks to earn at-large playoff bid.
One huge positive has been the rapid evolution of Texas A&M from SEC punchline to the only team still perfect in conference play. Notre Dame topped the Aggies in the season opener, something the playoff selection committee will definitely highlight when the debut rankings are released next Tuesday.
The Irish are also benefitting from the historic starts for Navy and Army. With Air Force and North Texas up next, the Black Knights could still be unbeaten when they face Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium on Nov. 23.
Otherwise, the Irish take on Florida State, Virginia and Southern California, with only the Trojans coming on the road. Should they take care of business, one-loss Notre Dame is a lock to earn an at-large spot and could potentially host that opening-round game.
Four teams to watch
Army, Navy and Tulane
Here’s three for the price of one to reflect the teams still unbeaten in American Athletic play. Navy’s loss to Notre Dame isn’t fatal. Army is the only perfect team left in the Group of Five. And after competitive losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma in non-conference play, Tulane has won four in a row capped by Saturday’s shootout against North Texas. The Midshipmen and Black Knights meat on Dec. 14 — after the final playoff rankings, which could get interesting — while the Green Wave close the regular season with Navy and Memphis.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s credibility was boosted by Friday’s 41-13 against Syracuse. While there’s no single marquee win, the Panthers do have five wins against Power Four teams with a non-losing record. In terms of making a national statement, this Saturday’s game at SMU and a matchup at home against Clemson on Nov. 16 will determine whether this team remains in the playoff picture.
Colorado
An at-large bid seems very unrealistic, if for no other reason than the Buffaloes won’t beat a ranked team during the regular season; they came close against Kansas State but came up a field goal short. But given how Colorado has played in recent weeks, this team is in the mix to reach the Big 12 championship game and play for an automatic playoff berth.