Breaking down College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s updated Top 6

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee revealed its latest look at updated rankings for the 2022 season following the final round of regular season games. They have now slotted the top six contenders for the four-team CFP field along with the top contenders to land New Year’s Day bids for the final time ahead of the selection show. As some teams prepare for a conference championship appearance, the top six teams in the picture include Georgia, Michigan, TCU, USC, Ohio State and Alabama.

Georgia, Michigan and TCU wrap up the regular season with an undefeated record, separating themselves from the field throughout the first 12 games with one more to play as the conference championship games approach. With USC set to play one more game as well in the Pac-12 title game, Alabama and Ohio State will be hoping for an upset which could spring them back into contention despite watching from the sideline between now and the selection show.

Take a look at what each CFP contender brings to the table heading into conference championship week.

Georgia

Georgia remains at No. 1 after an undefeated regular season which saw them separate from the pack. After LSU’s slip up against Texas A&M, the stakes of the SEC Championship are at an all-time low it appears, with the Bulldogs set to likely make the field win or loss. That could force head coach Kirby Smart to find ways to motivate his squad and avoid complacency, which he has no issue doing.

Remaining schedule: SEC Championship (vs. LSU)

Michigan

After knocking off Ohio State for the first time under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has done it again, starting its own win streak. Even without a healthy backfield, the Wolverines set themselves up to play in the Big Ten Championship game and move up the pecking order in the CFP race. Now the clear No. 2, Michigan must avoid an upset against Purdue before officially celebrating a playoff return.

Remaining schedule: Big Ten Championship (vs. Purdue)

TCU

TCU managed to secure a 12-0 record in the regular season, winning in a number of ways including multiple late comebacks. TCU will again face a challenge when they play the Big 12 Championship game against Kansas State, who held a 28-10 lead over the Horned Frogs in the first half of their previous meeting before giving up a 28-0 run to finish the game.

Remaining schedule: Big 12 Championship (vs. Kansas State)

USC

USC used an impressive Top 25 win led by a Heisman Trophy level performance from quarterback Caleb Williams to vault into the top-four playoff spots. The high-powered Lincoln Riley offense led Oklahoma into the field multiple times before he made the move, and it could prove enough with a Pac-12 title game win to return the Trojans to the national championship conversation. However, the road will not be easy as USC faces the only team to best them in the regular season, Utah.

Remaining schedule: Pac-12 Championship (vs. Utah)

Ohio State

Ohio State appeared on a mission to reach the final week undefeated, setting up a rematch with Michigan for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game and likely securing a CFP spot. Even head coach Ryan Day admitted the Buckeyes had revenge in mind through the offseason and preseason. However, things backfired with a massive loss which serves as the final mark on the Buckeyes’ resume, leaving a sour taste in people’s mouth ahead of the selection show.

Remaining schedule: N/A

Alabama

After losing against Tennessee and LSU during the regular season, it appeared Alabama was completely outside the playoff picture, sparking conversation about the status of the Nick Saban dynasty. As upsets continued to fall their way, the Crimson Tide slowly crept back up the rankings and now appears to be one or two more upsets away from potentially making an appearance in January. However, still behind Ohio State, it appears it would take massive chaos to earn an entry.

Remaining schedule: N/A