College Football Playoff Prediction: CBS Sports gives final CFP projection following championship weekend results
Conference champions have been crowned and one thing remains. The College Football Playoff committee needs to provide a top four and some tough decisions could be on the way. On what was an entertaining Saturday, all focus has turned to Selection Sunday.
CBS Sports has given a status check on the top eight teams from Tuesday’s rankings, being the programs with a realistic chance of still making the CFP. Not everybody entered the weekend where they started, with dreams coming true and others having their heart broken.
No matter the top four, committee chair Boo Corrigan will have to explain the thought process. For now, here is CBS Sports’ thought process and who they believe will be in.
Georgia – “Eliminated”
While two SEC teams have made the CFP before, CBS does not believe this will be one of those years. Georgia has too many obstacles to overcome and not enough ammo to fight through them.
After two consecutive national championships, Kirby Smart will be watching from home. A tough loss in Atlanta has ended what seemed to be the perfect quest for a three-peat.
Michigan – “Playoff berth clinched”
Michigan was the No. 2 team in the country on Tuesday night and just needed a Big Ten title to officially get in the top four. After taking down Iowa in Indianapolis, Jim Harbaugh will be coaching on the sideline in either Pasadena or New Orleans.
The last two seasons have resulted in semifinal losses. Questions on Sunday will not be out Michigan getting into the College Football Playoff but if they can beat whoever they are matched up against.
Washington – “Playoff berth clinched”
Washington sealed their spot in the top four by taking down Oregon for a second time in the Pac-12 Championship game. An impressive performance from the Huskies, with not too many people giving them a chance in Las Vegas.
Never has an undefeated Power Five conference champion been left out. Washington is safe and have a good time hearing their name called for the first time since the 2016 season.
Florida State – “Playoff berth highly likely”
Well, as mentioned above — an undefeated Power Five conference champion has never been left out. Florida State could make history if the College Football Playoff committee decides they are not one of the four best teams in the country.
Mike Norvell had to play a third-string quarterback vs. Louisville and still got the job done. The overall offensive performance was not great though, putting a little bit of pause on Florida State being considered a lock at this point.
Oregon – “Eliminated”
Oregon wanted the season to end differently. You could see how gut-wrenching of a loss it was for the Ducks, with emotions showing on the face of quarterback Bo Nix.
Unfortunately, there is not much Oregon can do at this point. Their College Football Playoff dreams are over and Sunday will be about which New Year’s Six game they play in.
Ohio State – “Eliminated”
CBS pointed out that Ohio State was in a similar position last year — having one loss on the resume and watching conference championship weekend from home. This one is a bit different, though.
With the two teams ranked below them winning their respective games on Saturday, the Buckeyes will inevitably be jumped. Like Oregon, it’s all about the New Year’s Six for Ryan Day at this point.
Texas – “Playoff berth highly likely”
Sept. 9 in Tuscaloosa was a historic day for the program. More so than we originally thought, with the head-to-head win over Alabama likely being the reason Texas makes the playoff.
A dominant effort against Oklahoma State certainly helped Texas’ case. Georgia falling in the SEC Championship boosted the odds and made the Longhorns a probable participant.
Alabama – “Playoff berth possible”
If the College Football Playoff committee views it the same as most of the public, the final debate is between Florida State and Alabama. You will not find too many people arguing against Nick Saban’s squad being the better of the two teams.
However, CBS has the Crimson Tide as just a “possible” CFP participant due to the one-loss. Getting in over an undefeated Power Five champion would be unprecedented. For the most part, Alabama did everything they could to stay alive.
Everyone on the outside can speculate and give their opinion but only a few matter. The College Football Playoff committee now has a decision to make on which four teams they will keep alive to win a national championship. Maybe their toughest test in years, the answer will be revealed on Sunday afternoon.