NCAAF: College Football Playoff Watch

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2194 days ago

With week one in the books, except Notre Dame vs Louisville today, let’s start tracking the playoff contenders. We will break them down by conference and then give you the top six every week.

SEC:

Let’s start with the conference that won’t be left out for sure.

Alabama- Loaded on offense with Heisman candidates at both QB and WR, a favorable schedule, and the best coach in college football. The Tide are poised for another title run.
Georgia- The Dawgs have been knocking at the door for awhile now, this group has a chance to finally break through. The cocktail party versus Florida will probably decide the East.
LSU- The Bayou Bengals have a huge out conference matchup with Texas and get the Tide in one of the most anticipated games of the year, win those and they are in the driver seat.
Auburn- lead by a furious defensive line, the Tigers already have the biggest out of conference W of the year in their pockets. The Iron Bowl will ultimately decide their fate.
Florida- The Gators got by Miami and have a brutal stretch of games from October to the first week of November. Versus Auburn in the Swamp, at LSU which is sure to be a night game in Death Valley, a trap game at South Carolina, and the Cocktail party Vs Georgia. Figure out a way to navigate that and they are in.
Texas A&M- more on their chances after this weeks meeting with Clemson.

Big Ten:

The Big 10 is arguably the deepest conference. But is that depth a help or hindrance in getting to the playoff? Knocking each other off and beating each other’s brains in, may not be the best way to make it into the playoff.

Ohio St- Justin Fields popped out of the transfer portal and on the scene in week 1. Games against Michigan St., Wisconsin, and Penn St are potential stumbling blocks but are at home. The game everyone has circled versus Michigan at the Big House closes out the season.
Michigan- everyone thinks this is the year for them. The schedule isn’t just a cakewalk to Ohio St. Trips to Wisconsin and Penn St. plus Rivalry games against Notre Dame and Michigan St. will provide all the challenges they could want, before the big one.
Penn St.- they have a sneaky chance as their roughest stretch is a back to back with Michigan and Michigan St. win on a trip into Columbus and they could be smack in the middle of playoff talk.
Michigan St.- Sparty has an absolutely brutal October. Back to back trips to Ohio St. and Wisconsin and then Penn St. at home. Survive that and then they travel to take on big brother Michigan in their rivalry game.
Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska- lump them all together as teams that “control their own destiny” they play enough contenders and each other to get into the talk but need to run the table and dare the committee to keep them out.

PAC 12:

The PAC 12 probably needs an undefeated champion to get into the playoff unless chaos sets in.

Washington- The Huskies have broke through the playoff barrier and have the early season ranking to make a push. Back to back games versus Oregon and Utah are their toughest tests outside the apple cup versus Washington St. win those an undefeated is on the table.
Utah- Everyone’s offseason darling, has the easiest path. A trip to Washington is the only thing between them and a PAC 12 championship game berth.
Oregon- What?! You just said they need an undefeated champ? Well an early season, last-second loss versus Auburn still leaves them in the conversation, if they run the table and win the conference.

BIG 12:

This a two-horse race, the conference as a whole is down and the gulf between Oklahoma and Texas is just too much for everyone else right now.

Oklahoma- The Sooners have been the best program west of Tuscaloosa and Clemson. The Red River Rivalry and a possible rematch against Texas in the Big 12 title game is probably the only hurdles they face to a playoff berth.
Texas- huge out of conference matchup with LSU will let us know if this is really a two horse race or just an Oklahoma victory lap.

ACC:

The Clemson invitation! Can anyone really step up to the challenge?

Clemson- it’s them or no one for the ACC. Heisman candidates at QB and RB have the Tigers poised for another run at the title.

Independents/Group of 5:

Notre Dame schedule and clout always puts them into the talk. Let’s face it a non-power 5 will never make the playoff but it’s fun to talk about.

Notre Dame- They have a manageable schedule to make some noise. Sprinkle in games with Georgia, Michigan, and Virginia and it’s tough enough to get them in maybe with one loss.
UCF- they have been beating on that playoff door, but again don’t have the non-conference schedule to really compare.
Boise St.- A “big name” win at Florida St. could help their case but just like UCF the schedule just won’t stack up.
Army- Yes, Army! Beat Michigan in the Big House and run the table and it will be an interesting debate. Patriotism is a powerful thing and don’t underestimate an undefeated service academy getting sympathy in the room.