College Football Playoff: Every Contender’s Path to Qualification or Elimination

The conclusion of the college football regular season is approaching, and anticipation grows around which teams will qualify for the College Football Playoff (CFP). A variety of scenarios can dictate a contender’s prospects, from securing coveted victories to facing unexpected eliminations. Here’s an overview of the potential best and worst-case scenarios for this season’s CFP contenders.

Pathways for College Football Playoff Contenders

Best-Case and Worst-Case Scenarios

• Michigan Wolverines:
  • Best Case: Triumph in key games, claiming the Big Ten title and advancing to the Rose Bowl. A win could establish a perfect season.
  • Worst Case: An unexpected loss to Michigan, resulting in missing the Big Ten title game and a potential Cotton Bowl berth.
• Indiana Hoosiers:
  • Best Case: A decisive victory over Ohio State grants the Big Ten championship. A successful bowl game could crown them as champions.
  • Worst Case: Suffering a loss leads to questions about their competitiveness, with a disappointing Cotton Bowl appearance.
• Texas A&M Aggies:
  • Best Case: An undefeated season with a strong performance in the SEC championship could secure a Sugar Bowl spot and a national championship run.
  • Worst Case: A critical loss to Texas A&M results in missed championship opportunities.
• Georgia Bulldogs:
  • Best Case: Dominating victories could lead them to another SEC championship and advanced placement in the playoff.
  • Worst Case: A loss to Georgia Tech could derail their title ambitions and hurt their playoff chances.
• Oregon Ducks:
  • Best Case: Successfully defeating Oklahoma leads to a Rose Bowl berth and a chance for championship glory.
  • Worst Case: A shocking defeat might eliminate them from playoff contention entirely.
• Texas Tech Red Raiders:
  • Best Case: A victory in the Big 12 championship game opens up a playoff opportunity, making headlines as potential Cinderellas.
  • Worst Case: An unexpected upset could keep them out of the playoff race, and ongoing challenges may arise from compliance issues.
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish:
  • Best Case: Entering the playoffs after a successful regular season, potentially making a run to the national title game.
  • Worst Case: Despite a strong finish, they could be excluded from the playoff selections.

Conclusion

As the regular season approaches its finale, the pathways to the College Football Playoff are becoming clearer. Teams will need to focus on securing victories while navigating the unexpected challenges that could impact their playoff aspirations. With the landscape of college football ever-changing, several teams are poised to make history in the coming weeks.