week 12’s top 10 remaining schedule and path to get to the Playoff
As week 12 action awaits us, there are still many questions to be asked as far as the Playoff goes. One thing that seems to be sure is that Georgia will most likely be number one through the rest of the year and await whoever the committee puts in front of them. Let's go through and see the path ahead for the current top 10 and see what each squad needs to do or needs other teams to do to give them an opportunity for a College Football Playoff berth.
Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports
#1 Georgia Bulldogs (10-0; 8-0 SEC)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 Charleston Southern (4-5)
11/27 @ Georgia Tech (3-7)
12/4 SEC Championship (likely vs. #2 Alabama)
What needs to happen:
As mentioned, the Bulldogs have the easiest path to the Playoff. They clinched a spot in the SEC championship, which helps seal things up a bit. If they win these last two games by any capacity, it won't matter what happens in the SEC championship. They will be a lock for the Playoff. Winning or losing the championship game will determine where they fall.
Vasha Hunt/AP
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1; 5-1 SEC)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 #21 Arkansas (7-3)
11/27 @ Auburn (6-4)
12/4 SEC Championship (TBD)
What needs to happen:
The Tide needs to win out in our eyes. Their loss to Texas A&M puts them in a difficult position to enter the Playoff otherwise. There has never been a two-loss team to enter the CFP. As much as the committee loves Bama, they cant make an exception for them if they lose down the road. Although they are at #2, they have one of the most challenging paths as opponents go. A top 25 team (Arkansas), an in-state rival that has derailed things before (Auburn), and the number one team in the country(you know who). The Tide need to gather for a tough few weeks to attain their aspirations to repeat as champions.
Andy Patton/ Duck Wire
#3 Oregon Ducks (9-1; 6-1 PAC-12)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 @ #23 Utah (6-3)
11/27 Oregon State (6-4)
12/3 PAC 12 Championship (likely vs #23 Utah)
What needs to happen:
The Ducks control their destiny as they head into these last three weeks. If they win out, they are in, simple as that. Their win earlier in the year against #4 Ohio State has helped their standing with the CFP committee. They most likely will have to play #23 Utah twice in three weeks which will be a bump in their road for their aspirations. The Ducks look to return to the Playoff for the first time since making it in 2015, the first year of the Playoff itself.
Phil Harrison/ Buckeye Wire
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1; 7-0 Big 10)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 #7 Michigan State (9-1)
11/27 @ #6 Michigan (9-1)
12/4 Big 10 Championship (TBD)
What needs to happen:
Yes, Bucks have control of their destiny, but BOY, is it going to be tough to hold on. The wildness of the Big 10 West will be on full display these next two weeks as the Bucks play #7 Michigan State and #6 Michigan. The scenarios for the Big 10 West champ may be complicated, but for Playoff aspirations, it's not. Winning out will get them in, but a lot can still happen if they lose along the way. Yes, we just said about Bama as far as two-loss teams go in the Playoff, but Ohio State's scenario is different. If they can win two out of their last three with winning the Big 10 Championship, we could see the first-ever two-loss team in the Playoff. There would need a lot to go in their favor if this were to happen.
Darron Commings/Cumberland Times News
#5 Cincinnati Bearcats (10-0; 6-0 AAC)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 SMU (8-2)
11/27 @ ECU (6-4)
12/4 AAC Championship (if clinched vs. #24 Houston)
What needs to happen:
The Bearcats look to be the first Group 5 team ever to make the Playoff. To do that, they need to win out and hope for someone above to fall. They respect the committee as they are the highest-ranked Group 5 in the history of the CFP. To keep it, they need to win out while rooting for #24 Houston until they play another top 25 opponents and use it for their resume to get them in if need be. We thought their loss vs. #8 Notre Dame was enough, but clearly, the Bearcats need to do more and pray for the downfall of those above them.
Scott Taetsch, Getty Images
#6 Michigan Wolverines (9-1; 6-1 BIG 10)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 Maryland (5-5)
11/27 @ #4 Ohio State (9-1)
12/4 Big 10 Championship (TBD)
What needs to happen:
The Wolverines have lots of work to do if they want to make history. They must win out if they want a spot in the Playoff. They don't get the luxury that OSU gets since their schedules are not as strong as theirs. There's still a way for the Wolverines. They have to execute in a time where they have failed in the past five seasons: Rivalry Week.
Spartans Wire
#7 Michigan State Spartans (9-1; 6-1 Big 10
Remaining Schedule
11/20 @ #4 Ohio State (9-1)
11/27 Penn State (6-4)
12/4 Big 10 Championship (TBD)
What needs to happen:
The only way this Spartan team gets in the Playoff is winning the Big 10 and hoping for someone to fall ahead of them. Their loss against Purdue hurt them and their chance; they have to do the best with what they got right now.
Saturday Blitz
#8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 Georgia Tech (3-7)
11/27 @Penn State (6-4)
What needs to happen:
Obviously, win out, but there would need to be absolute chaos above them. The strength of their schedule is not helping the Irish chances. They have their sights on New Years' 6 bowls.
FTW Staff
#9 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-1; 6-1 Big 12)
Remaining Schedule
11/20 @ Texas Tech (6-5)
11/27 #13 Oklahoma (9-1)
12/4 Big 10 Championship (#11 Baylor or #13 Oklahoma)
What needs to happen:
They have to win out with winning the Big 12 Championship. They need help from other teams above losing but do not need as much as Notre Dame. OSU can potentially have two top 15 wins in 3 weeks, which will help their resume a bunch. This Cowboys team is definitely a dark horse, don't count them out quite yet.
Winston Salem Journal
#10 Wake Forrest Demon Deacons
Remaining Schedule:
11/20 @ Clemson (7-3)
11/27 @ Boston College (6-4)
12/4 ACC Championship (vs. winner of Virginia and Pitt)
What needs to happen:
The Deacons really hurt themselves by losing to North Carolina two weekends ago. If they want a shot, there needs to be chaos on the level that Notre Dame needs, even that though it seems very unlikely. Deacons should focus on winning the ACC and the Orange Bowl.