The College Football Playoff landscape has undergone a significant shift following Alabama’s stunning loss to Vanderbilt. Despite the setback, the Crimson Tide’s chances of making the playoff remain intact, thanks to their impressive win over Georgia earlier in the season. Here’s a breakdown of the top one-loss contenders and how they can overcome their defeats to secure a spot in the playoff.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1) – The loss to Vanderbilt was a major upset, but Alabama’s win over Georgia gives them a strong case for the playoff. They need to win the SEC championship and earn an automatic bid or keep pace with Georgia and earn some style points against opponents like South Carolina, Missouri, and Auburn.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (4-1) – Georgia’s loss to Alabama was a close one, and they have a chance to redeem themselves by winning the SEC championship. They need to win out and earn an automatic bid or go at least 2-1 against Texas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee to make a strong case for the playoff.
3. Tennessee Volunteers (4-1) – The Vols’ loss to Arkansas was a setback, but they can still make the playoff by winning the SEC championship and earning an automatic bid. They need to win out and finish as a two-loss SEC runner-up or split with Alabama and Georgia and hope their résumé trumps other at-large contenders.
4. Clemson Tigers (4-1) – Clemson’s loss to Georgia was a lopsided one, but they have rebounded with four straight wins. They need to win the ACC championship and earn an automatic bid or run the table and possibly get in as a two-loss ACC runner-up.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (5-1) – The Rebels’ loss to Kentucky is still weighing them down, but they rebounded with a strong win over South Carolina. They need to win the SEC championship and earn an automatic bid or finish as a two-loss SEC runner-up and hope their résumé is stronger than other at-large contenders.
6. Boise State Broncos (4-1) – Boise State’s loss to Oregon was a close one, and they have been consistent all season. They need to win the Mountain West Conference and finish as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions to secure a spot in the playoff.
As for the top 12 teams in the country, here’s how they stack up:
1. Texas Longhorns (5-0) – The Longhorns are undefeated and have a strong case for the top spot. They need to win out and avoid any upsets to secure a spot in the playoff.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) – The Buckeyes are also undefeated and have a strong résumé. They need to win out and avoid any upsets to secure a spot in the playoff.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1) – Despite their loss to Vanderbilt, Alabama’s win over Georgia gives them a strong case for the playoff.
4. Georgia Bulldogs (4-1) – Georgia’s loss to Alabama was a close one, and they have a chance to redeem themselves by winning the SEC championship.
5. Tennessee Volunteers (4-1) – The Vols’ loss to Arkansas was a setback, but they can still make the playoff by winning the SEC championship.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0) – The Nittany Lions are undefeated and have a strong résumé. They need to win out and avoid any upsets to secure a spot in the playoff.
7. Oregon Ducks (5-0) – The Ducks are undefeated and have a strong case for the playoff. They need to win out and avoid any upsets to secure a spot in the playoff.
8. Miami Hurricanes (6-0) – The Hurricanes are undefeated and have a strong résumé. They need to win out and avoid any upsets to secure a spot in the playoff.
9. Clemson Tigers (4-1) – Clemson’s loss to Georgia was a lopsided one, but they have rebounded with four straight wins.
10. Ole Miss Rebels (5-1) – The Rebels’ loss to Kentucky is still weighing them down, but they rebounded with a strong win over South Carolina.
11. BYU Cougars (5-0) – The Cougars are undefeated and have a strong résumé. They need to win out and avoid any upsets to secure a spot in the playoff.
12. Boise State Broncos (4-1) – Boise State’s loss to Oregon was a close one, and they have been consistent all season. They need to win the Mountain West Conference and finish as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions to secure a spot in the playoff.
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