*With the regular season officially over for college football, the conference matchups for top leagues such as the SEC, BIG 12, and the B10 are set. With the field for the college football playoff narrowed down to approximately 6 teams, the stakes get even higher with each passing week for each college still in contention.
Only one team is firmly in the playoff picture: That team is the Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia has been impressive from the start of the season. Playing in one of the toughest leagues in the entirety of the FBS, they made shockwaves early on in the season when they “stunned” Clemson. This victory would essentially set the tone for their season. They have since remained undefeated, with their demolition job of the Florida Gators 34-7 practically summing up their season. They are a lock for the national playoff.
The other five teams are all in the air. With Michigan beating previously ranked #2 Ohio State, they have essentially swapped ranks with Ohio State. Michigan are in prime position to book their flight to the national playoff: with a win in the B10 championship, they are certain to impress the committee enough to play for the title. Ohio State meanwhile, have been eliminated from contention most likely, with their lost to their arch-rivals being the final stone to their coffin. They did not qualify for the B10 championship as well, so yesterday could have very well been their last game for the season.
#3 ranked Cincinnati has been a quiet dark-horse, looming in the sidelines. One of only two undefeated teams (besides Georgia), the team has slowly proved their worth by continually beating their opponents without stop. A gutsy win over currently #6 ranked Notre Dame was the pinnacle of their season. The only thing stopping Cincinnati? Their easy schedule. Cincinnati plays in one of the weakest leagues in college football, which means that a one-loss team in a tougher conference such as the SEC, BIG 12, or the B10 may be praised higher than an undefeated team in a weaker conference. For now, Cincinnati must keep winning to stay on track. They play their conference championship game against #16 ranked Houston.
#4 ranked Alabama survived a scare against unranked Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl. The game went to 4 overtimes, with the final score being 24-22. Despite the win, Alabama dropped a spot to #4, and are on the border of elimination. The ultimate test for them will come this Saturday, where they will play #1 Georgia for the SEC championship. If Alabama were to beat Georgia, they will be a lock for the playoff. If they lose… it will be curtains for the squad.
#5 ranked Oklahoma State won a crucial game in the annual Bedlam series against their arch-rivals Oklahoma University. In the battle for the state, the game was tied 24-24 at the half. After a muffed punt by OU, Oklahoma State capitalized with a touchdown to extend their lead to 37-33. With little time on the clock, OU were stopped on a 4th down, and OSU had pulled off the major “upset”.
With this victory, OSU are still in contention for entering the college football playoff. Now? They must beat #8 ranked Baylor in their respective Conference championship. This victory may just impress the committee enough to push them ahead of foes such Cincinnati.
#6 ranked Notre Dame is still fighting for a position in the playoff, although they are at a disadvantage. Their league does not play a conference championship, so their season ended with a resounding victory over Stanford. Despite this, it will be hard for the team to make the playoff. One fact is for certain. For the team to have a chance of making the playoff, Oklahoma State, Alabama, and most importantly Cincinnati must lose for Notre Dame to have a chance.
It is going to be a fun Saturday.
Sources:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2021-college-football-predictions/
Image Credits: The Oklahoman
