Chris Wilds
Do not look now, but as we enter the new twelve team playoff in college football Georgia’s and Alabama’s playoff dreams may be on life support. It is likely at least one of the two most dominant teams of the college football playoff era do not make the new expanded playoff. Georgia faces #4 Tennessee this weekend. Alabama has a more favorable upcoming schedule but already has two conference losses.
As we await the release of the new CFP standings, it is very possible four of the top six teams will come from the Big Ten Conference – #1 Oregon, #2 Ohio State, #4 Penn State, and with losses by Georgia and Miami it is conceivable undefeated Indiana could slide into the #6 spot. Assuming all these teams continue to perform, all four should make the /eld including the loser of the big OSU vs. Indiana matchup and the loser of the Big Ten championship game. It is also likely 8-1 Notre Dame makes the field should they win out.
One spot goes to each of the top five conference champions. That is nine spots. This means only three spots remain for potential SEC, ACC, and Big Twelve at large bids.
If 7-2 Colorado wins out and beats BYU in the Big 12 championship game, do you keep out a one loss BYU – it would be hard. It is a three-team race in the ACC with SMU leading the way at 8-1 and undefeated in the conference. Miami and Clemson, both with one conference loss, hope to face SMU in the ACC Championship. It is likely a two loss SEC team gets in over a two loss ACC squad unless it is Miami, who could make an argument.
So, what about the SEC. Right now, it would appear Tennessee and Texas are on a collision course in the SEC championship game. Tennessee faces Georgia this weekend in a game that will either make or break the season for Georgia. If the Volunteers win the Bulldogs are done. If the Bulldogs win, things get very messy. Texas plays Texas A&M the final week of the season in a game with huge playoff implications. Texas sits at #3 right now, A&M with only one conference is sitting just outside the top twelve prior to the next rankings. Should A&M upset Texas and Georgia beat Tennessee, all hell is going to break loose in the SEC. It would be possible to have seven teams tied with two conference losses. This is a dream scenario for Alabama should they win out as it would mean a return to the SEC Championship game. But should Texas and Tennessee win out, we know both will be in the playoffs. Meaning only two spots remain. If the Crimson Tide win out, they should, based upon their schedule slide into a playoff spot, but there are no guarantees. Georgia’s chances are on life support right now. Could we see a playoff without one (or more) of the most prominent programs of the past decade? Only time will tell.
