Washington State Football: Road to the College Football Playoff 11/22

In the playoff now

#1 Alabama (11-0)

Remaining Games: vs. Auburn, SEC Championship vs. Georgia.

Thoughts: The Crimson Tide would have to lose twice to miss the playoff, it’s not happening. If they do lose once, it better not be in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game to Georgia, because it would put two SEC teams in the final four and shut out Washington State

#2 Clemson (11-0)

Remaining Games: vs. South Carolina, ACC Championship Game vs. Pittsburgh.

Thoughts: As long as Clemson wins, they are in. Cougs fans have to be rooting hard for a Gamecocks upset this Saturday. It might be enough to knock Clemson out of the top five and then we can see how they fare against Pittsburgh the following week. For Washington State to jump the Tigers, Clemson would have to lose twice.

#3 Notre Dame (11-0)

Remaining Game: at USC.

Thoughts: It’s funny how things play out. A controversial loss at USC has kept Wazzu out of the top four. Now the Cougars need Southern Cal to pull off the upset of the season. This is Notre Dame’s final regular season game. If they lose, it will be interesting to see how far they fall.

#4 Michigan (10-1)

Remaining Games: at Ohio State, Big 10 Championship Game?

Thoughts: It’s hard to imagine a four-team playoff this season, without a one-loss Big 10 champion. A two-loss or more conference champion is a different story. Another defeat knocks Michigan out of title contention (but at what cost). Best case for WSU is for the winner of the UM-OSU game to lose in the Big-10 title game against Northwestern.