CBS Sports predicts first loss for 6 remaining undefeated college football teams

This upcoming Saturday will mark the turn of the calendar to November. It’s now deep into the college football season. So deep, in fact, that there are only six remaining undefeated teams in the sport.

Each of the four Power Four conferences is currently represented by at least one undefeated team. Then, Navy, out of the American, rounds out those undefeated teams. Notably, that number of six teams without a loss is down from this time last season, when it was eight. Last season, there would also be just one team that made it to the College Football Playoff without a loss.

With that in mind, CBS Sports dove into the remaining schedules for each of the six undefeated teams in college football. There, they pulled out the toughest game, as well as their projected first loss. That may sound similar, but rarely lined up in actuality. So, here’s a look at what game CBS Sports expects each of the remaining undefeated teams to lose.

BYU Cougars

Toughest Game: November 8th, Texas Tech
Projected First Loss: November 22nd, Cincinnati

The BYU Cougars have been the happy surprise of the Big 12 this season. After losing last season’s quarterback this offseason due to off-field issues, the Cougars turned to true freshman Bear Bachmeier. It’s more than worked out, and now BYU is sitting undefeated at 8-0 and 5-0 in conference play, in full control of its own destiny.

Interestingly, CBS Sports notes that a road game at Texas Tech is BYU’s toughest remaining game. However, they have the Cougars suffering their first loss a couple of weeks later at Cincinnati. That’s because BYU is coming off a bye, and the Red Raiders have injury issues at quarterback. So, the loss got kicked down the road.

Navy Midshipmen

Toughest Game: November 8th, Notre Dame
Projected First Loss: November 1st, North Texas

Navy is undefeated heading into November and has made itself a very real competitor for the College Football Playoff. The challenge, now, is that they turn into the most difficult part of their schedule, which is full of rivalry games and an attempt to win The American.

As for CBS Sports, they expect Navy’s undefeated season to end this upcoming Saturday. That’s on the road against a quietly very good North Texas team. If it doesn’t happen there, though, Navy is on the road again a week later against Notre Dame. That’ll be their toughest remaining game. It’s also before you look at USF, Memphis, and Army, plus a possible conference championship game.

Indiana Hoosiers

Toughest Game: November 8th, Penn State
Projected First Loss: December 6th, Ohio State (Big Ten Championship)

A year ago, Indiana was a shocking team making a run at the College Football Playoff. This year, they’re not shocking anyone, but they are once again undefeated. Once again, they’re making a deep run at the College Football Playoff.

The regular season now appears fairly manageable, particularly with Penn State’s struggles. In fact, CBS Sports doesn’t expect the Hoosiers to lose a regular season game. Instead, their first loss is set to come in the Big 10 Championship Game. That’s projected to be another current undefeated team, Ohio State.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Toughest Game: November 28th, Georgia
Projected First Loss: November 22nd, Pitt

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have had some close calls but are still undefeated. With four games left, they’re hoping to finish strong and make that push for the ACC Championship and the College Football Playoff. The problem is that the November schedule has some pitfalls in it.

CBS Sports highlighted the rivalry game against Georgia as their toughest remaining game. The problem is that CBS Sports also has the Yellow Jackets losing a week earlier to Pitt. While it may not sting as much as losing to a rival, it’s that game that would have wider postseason implications.

Texas A&M Aggies

Toughest Game: November 28th, Texas
Projected First Loss: Texas

The Texas A&M Aggies are no joke this season. Now the only undefeated team in the SEC and one of two without a loss in conference play, the Aggies are positioned to make the College Football Playoff. That is, barring some kind of late-season collapse. However, nobody expects that to come.

The major game remaining for Texas A&M is their road trip to Texas to end the regular season. That’s the game that CBS Sports has down both as their toughest remaining game and their first loss. However, even if that does happen, the Aggies should be in very good shape.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Toughest Game: November 29th, Michigan
Projected First Loss: N/A

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been dominant in their national championship defense. Through seven games, the Buckeyes have been on a tear, particularly on the defensive side of the football. There, they’ve only allowed double-digit points once this season.

Ultimately, CBS Sports expects Ohio State to finish undefeated. So, they simply didn’t project a first loss. Still, it’s going to be busy. Not counting the Big Ten Championship Game, the Buckeyes have five games left. That includes their toughest and most important, the Michigan game.