Tennessee keeps its College Football Playoff hopes alive in another close rivalry game. Tennessee topped Kentucky 28-18 to improve to 7-1 and remain in the CFP race.
The expanded 12-team Playoff has opened the door for Tennessee to make its first appearance in the bracket to win the National Championship with redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Georgia joins Tennessee in skating by a rival in a must-win game. Tennessee likely can't afford a second loss before the Georgia game in less than two weeks, while the one-loss Georgia Bulldogs might survive a 10-2 record.
Ohio State virtually guarantees its spot in the College Football Playoff with its win over Penn State. The one-loss Nittany Lions shouldn't have any issue making the CFP with a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way.
Notre Dame and BYU also officially entered/re-entered the Playoff picture. BYU is 8-0 and looks to be the Big 12 representative, while Notre Dame continues to win week after week and has a date against Army in a few weeks.
Here is how the CFP will look with the 12-team expansion: Power 4 conference champions receive automatic bids and the top four rankings. The top Group of Five champion is the fifth team to receive an automatic bid, while seeds six through 12 are all at-large bids. Seeds five through eight will host seeds nine through twelve in the first round.
Rank | Team | Why They Are Here | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oregon Ducks | Big Ten Champion | 1 (-) |
2 | Georgia Bulldogs | SEC Champion | 2 (-) |
3 | Miami Hurricanes | ACC Champion | 4 (+1) |
4 | Iowa State Cyclones | Big 12 Champion | 3 (-1) |
5 | Ohio State Buckeyes | At-Large | 5 (-) |
6 | Texas Longhorns | At-Large | 6 (-) |
7 | Indiana Hoosiers | At-Large | 8 (+1) |
8 | Tennessee Volunteers | At-Large | 9 (+1) |
9 | Penn State Nittany Lions | At-Large | 7 (-2) |
10 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | At-Large | NR |
11 | BYU Cougars | At-Large | NR |
12 | Boise State Broncos | MW Champion | 12 (-) |
On The Bubble
Kansas State is one of a few teams that could make the Playoffs representing the Big 12. Right now, Iowa State remains the projected Big 12 Champion, with BYU and Kansas State hot on their tails. It's likely the Big 12 will only have one representative, so a spot in the championship game is vital for any conference contender.
Clemson and Texas A&M both suffered their second loss of the season. The Tigers' strength of schedule doesn't give them a chance to make up for their two losses unless they win the ACC Championship. The Aggies will have a chance to make the 12-team Playoff but will need some help.
Alabama is coming off a bye week and will have a chance to put their name back in the 12-team Playoff hat with a win against LSU this week. The Crimson Tide already have two losses, so they will have to be perfect the rest of the way if they want to make the CFP.
LSU faces Alabama this week, and the Tigers will have a chance to re-enter the College Football Playoff picture with a win. A loss virtually eliminates them, while a win would eliminate Alabama.
Week 11 in College Football
Week 11 has the potential to be another explosive weekend, with nearly a half-dozen teams still in the race to make the 12-team College Football Playoff. Georgia goes to Ole Miss in a possible CFP elimination game, Florida goes to Texas, Alabama at LSU, and Miami heads to Georgia Tech.