NCAAF Playoff Clinch?

Forget about the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The same can be said for the USA Today College Football Coaches Poll. For the top teams in the country the only poll that matters is the NCAAF Playoff Rankings. CFP rankings will be released for the first time this season on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

 

Preseason Favorites Still in Contention

Before the season started, there were four teams which stood out above the others. They were Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State. At the end of the season, it could very well be those four teams in the playoffs.

But other teams have given themselves a chance to be in the discussion for one of the coveted playoff spots.

There is no set criteria for an NCAAF playoff clinch. Even the four favorites still have to take care of business on the field the rest of the way. While Georgia and Ohio State may be able to withstand a loss, Clemson and Alabama cannot. If they do lose, some good teams are waiting in the wings for an opportunity to get into the playoffs. There will plenty of watching NCAAF scores the rest of the way for these college football playoff hopefuls. Bettors also need to be aware of teams looking to run up the score for the playoff committee when making their college football picks and parlays.

Teams on the Outside Looking In

Tennessee: It may seem strange to include the No. 3 Volunteers here, but in terms of playoff chances, Tennessee is an outsider. The Vols travel to Georgia on Nov. 5 and that game will likely determine their playoff fate. Wins over Alabama and Georgia would likely be too much to leave Tennessee out an NCAAF playoff clinch even if it stumbles in the SEC title game.

Michigan: The Wolverines are going to have to go undefeated to make the playoff field, which won’t be an easy task considering the team travels to Ohio State on Nov. 26. A weak non-conference schedule nearly ensures a one-loss Michigan team will be left out of the playoff field.

TCU: TCU is doing its part on the field, but the question is if it will be enough. TCU’s schedule is filled with some very good, but not great, teams. The Horned Frogs will have to go undefeated through the Big 12 title game. TCU doesn’t have the overall college football playoff resume of a Clemson.

Oregon: Few people thought the Ducks would be in playoff contention after they lost to Georgia 49-3 to open the season. But the Ducks have stormed back with several key wins. Oregon has Utah and a possible conference championship matchup with USC on tap. If Oregon runs the table, the Ducks will get some consideration.

USC: The Trojans are definite longshots after losing to Utah, but still have a game against a decent UCLA squad on the slate. USC needs to win out and have Oregon do the same in order to meet the Ducks in the Pac-12 Conference title game. If the Trojans can defeat the Ducks, they can make a case for being included in the playoffs if one of the top four team falters.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

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• College Pac-12 Betting Odds: Top 10 Showdown Set Between UCLA and Oregon
• SEC Week 8 Football Odds: Sixth-Ranked Alabama Heavy Favorites Over No. 24 Mississippi State