ESPN updates Bubble Watch after first College Football Playoff Top 25: Who's in, who's out

The latest College Football Playoff Bubble Watch is here from ESPN’s Heather Dinich. Below is a complete breakdown of the Power Four conferences, who’s in, who’s out and who else from the Independents and Group of Five are in and out.

The first rankings were released Tuesday night, so there will be plenty of debate moving forward (isn’t there always). The race will sort itself out over the coming weeks, but there’s a clear look at who’s in and who’s skirting on the edge of the College Football Playoff.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the latest College Football Playoff Bubble Watch. We’ll start with a stacked SEC!

SEC

Would be in: Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Last team in: Ole Miss
First team out: Texas
Still in the mix: Missouri, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt
Out: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee

The SEC gets four in right now with Alabama and Texas A&M racing for the top. But one-loss Georgia and Ole Miss might have a say too. Texas has the head to head over Oklahoma so they’re further along, but need to likely win out to ensure a spot, or at least give themselves a good chance.

Big Ten

Would be in: Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon
Last team in: Oregon
First team out: USC
Still in the mix: Iowa, Michigan, Washington
Out: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin

The Big Ten gets three teams in and one of them is not Penn State. That would’ve been stunning to start the year. But USC and Michigan are certainly in the mix for the College Football Playoff. You can rule out Iowa and Washington at the moment either, but if the conference gets a fourth, it’s like the Wolverines or the Trojans right now.

Big 12

Would be in: BYU, Texas Tech
Last team in: Texas Tech
First team out: Utah
Still in the mix: Cincinnati
Out: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, UCF, West Virginia

The College Football Playoff welcomes two Big 12 teams in at the moment with BYU and Texas Tech. The question is if the loser of this week’s matchup actually gets kicked out. Maybe if the Red Raiders win and they’re tied, they both can still make it in. But don’t forget about Utah and Cincinnati, with the latter only having one conference loss right now. 

ACC

Would be in: Virginia
Last team in: Virginia
First team out: Louisville
Still in the mix: Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, SMU
Out: Boston College, Cal, Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, NC State, Pitt, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Miami is way out right now and they have some serious ground to make up if they want to make the College Football Playoff. Virginia is the leader in the clubhouse with a 5-0 conference record. Georgia Tech (5-1), Pitt (5-1), Louisville (4-1), SMU (4-1) and Duke (4-1) are all in contention for the ACC Championship Game, so you can’t quite rule them out of the CFP.

Independent

Would be in: Notre Dame

Notre Dame has won six in a row and there will certainly be debate about their No. 10 ranking in the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night. Still, they’re playing like one of the best teams in the country. They had close losses to Miami and Texas A&M and have a ranked win over USC. But if this team finishes 10-2, they’re a near lock to get in.

Group of Five

Would be in: Memphis
Still in the mix: USF, North Texas, James Madison, San Diego State

Memphis is the highest ranked Group of Five school at the moment, so they get the nod for the College Football Playoff. USF and North Texas are giving chase in the conference, James Madison should not be taken lightly and San Diego State is still lurking in the picture.

Bracket

First-round byes

No. 1 Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
No. 2 Indiana
No. 3 Texas A&M (SEC champ)
No. 4 Alabama

First Round games

No. 12 Memphis (American champ) at No. 5 Georgia
No. 11 Virginia (ACC champ) at No. 6 Ole Miss
No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 BYU (Big 12 champ)
No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Texas Tech

Quarterfinal games

No. 12 Memphis/No. 5 Georgia winner vs. No. 4 Alabama
No. 11 Virginia/No. 6 Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Texas A&M
No. 10 Notre Dame/No. 7 BYU winner vs. No. 2 Indiana
No. 9 Oregon/No. 8 Texas Tech winner vs. No. 1 Ohio State