Eight teams that threaten chaos for the College Football Playoff

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner10/15/21

Jonathan Wagner

The College Football Playoff picture is less clear right now than it was a week ago. Alabama’s stunning loss to Texas A&M has created chaos for the entire College Football Playoff picture. With the path to a top four spot seemingly wide open, there are a few teams that could create chaos through the stretch run of the season.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly named eight teams that could create chaos for the Playoff. Not all of these teams have a shot themselves at making a run, but they could play a big role in who could.

Eight teams that could create Playoff chaos

Penn State: Penn State was ranked inside the top four before last week’s loss to Iowa. Now, the Nittany Lions have a tough road to the Playoff. But Penn State has matchups with Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and potentially another shot at Iowa in the Big Ten championship. Even if Penn State can’t make the Playoff, their performance in the important Big Ten games could add chaos to the picture.

Michigan State: Like Penn State, Michigan State has games against Michigan, Ohio State and the Nittany Lions in addition to a potential date with Iowa in the Big Ten championship. The Spartans are a perfect 6-0, and a strong finish to the season would undoubtedly create Playoff chaos for a number of reasons.

Tennessee: Tennessee is out of the picture for the Playoff. But the Volunteers face Ole Miss, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia in a brutal gauntlet of an SEC schedule over the next five weeks. Tennessee’s offense is firing on all cylinders, which could create some exciting matchups against Playoff hopeful teams. If Tennessee can win one or two of those games, it would create chaos not only in the Playoff, but in the SEC picture too.

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have lost by a combined 13 points to Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Michigan this season. Nebraska has found a way to be competitive against good opponents, creating an interesting second half. The Cornhuskers face Ohio State and Iowa at the end of the season. If Nebraska can pull off an upset, the Playoff and Big Ten pictures will see even more chaos than we’ve already seen.

Clemson: Clemson’s season has been massively disappointing with a 3-2 record. The ACC has been very unpredictable, leaving a potential path to a Playoff team if chaos ensues across the country. Clemson has a shot at creating that chaos with matchups against Wake Forest and Pittsburgh late in the season.

Iowa State: The Cyclones likely don’t have a shot at the Playoffs, but they could play a big role in the Big 12 standings. With matchups against Oklahoma State, Texas, and Oklahoma, Iowa State could really create some chaos in the Big 12 and even the Playoff picture. Iowa State could potentially have two shots at Oklahoma if the two meet in the Big 12 title game.

SMU: Cincinnati is the clear best team in the American, but SMU is the clear second best team in the conference. SMU is unbeaten at 6-0, but likely won’t get any consideration for the Playoff even if they win out. Cincinnati and SMU face off in late November, which could prove to be a game that has major Playoff implications. Beating an undefeated SMU team would help Cincinnati’s resume, but SMU has a serious shot at taking that game.

Arizona State: The Sun Devils could theoretically make a run at the Playoff if they win out. But Arizona State could win out and possibly face Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. If Oregon is 11-1 and the two teams face off, the Pac-12 title game would undoubtedly create chaos for the Ducks’ Playoff chances.