The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee has a large task ahead of them and multiple teams find themselves in the elimination column based on how the season can unfold.
Team are listed in order of if they were to win out, who has the best chance at making it to the ultimate semifinal:
1. LSU (SEC, 11-0):
Loss: None
Next up: vs Texas A&M
LSU remains in the top spot based on their wins so far this season. Texas A&M comes to Death Valley ahead of the SEC Championship against Georgia. Regardless of the outcome this weekend, LSU will get in if they win the SEC.
2. Ohio State (Big Ten, 11-0):
Loss: None
Next up: @ Michigan
Ohio State downed Penn State on Saturday to set up a matchup with Michigan, who has looked more impressive as of late. Michigan’s two losses (Wisconsin and Penn State) were both Buckeye wins. Whether OSU faulters or not, they can secure a playoff spot with a Big Ten Championship win over Minnesota or Wisconsin.
3. Clemson (ACC, 11-0):
Loss: None
Next up: @ South Carolina
Clemson has to beat South Carolina and then take down the winner of Virginia and Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship in order to get in the playoff. They’ve looked dominant all season and have the easiest path to the semifinal.
4. Georgia (SEC, 10-1):
Loss: vs South Carolina (20-17)
Next up: @ Georgia Tech
If Georgia beats Tech and LSU in the SEC title game, they’ll be a lock to reach the playoff.
5. Minnesota (Big Ten, 10-1):
Loss: @ Iowa (23-19)
Next up: vs Wisconsin
Minnesota still controls their own playoff destiny. With back-to-back wins over Wisconsin and Ohio State, they’d have a good enough resume to be one of the highest rated one-loss teams. First, they have to take care of business on College GameDay.
6. Utah (Pac-12, 10-1):
Loss: @ USC (30-23)
Next up: vs Colorado
Utah is officially the Pac-12’s only hope. With Oregon’s loss to Arizona State, Utah will have to look absolutely dominant to get in the playoff. Two teams from the SEC (if Georgia beats LSU) and Big Ten (if Minnesota beats Ohio State) could all stand in the way.
7. Alabama (SEC, 10-1):
Loss: vs LSU (46-41)
Next up: @ Auburn
Alabama is in a position where they can get leapfrogged for not playing in a conference championship game. Oregon’s loss to Arizona State helps, but Utah, the Big 12, two SEC teams not named Alabama, and two Big Ten teams if Ohio State loses to Minnesota in the conference championship could all stand in their way.
8. Oklahoma (Big XII, 10-1):
Loss: Kansas State (48-41)
Next up: @ Oklahoma State
Oklahoma gets a ranked Oklahoma State this week before a rematch with Baylor in the conference championship game. Two wins against the same team in a season won’t be impressive enough to the committee, so the Sooners will need help getting into the playoff at season’s end.
9. Baylor (Big XII, 10-1):
Loss: vs Oklahoma (34-31)
Next up: @ Kansas
Baylor blew by Texas to setup a date at Kansas. They’ll see their lone loss – Oklahoma – in the Big 12 Championship game. If they can avenge it, they should hope for some more chaos to ensue. Oregon’s loss to Arizona State certainly helps their case.
10. Wisconsin (Big Ten, 9-2):
Loss: @ Illinois (24-23) and @ Ohio State (38-7)
Next up: @ Minnesota
If the Badgers can beat Minnesota and reach the Big Ten title game, they’d have a chance to avenge their loss against Ohio State. As a two-loss team, they have the best chance in the country at reaching the CFP.
11. Cincinnati (The American, 10-1):
Loss: @ Ohio State (42-0)
Next up: @ Memphis
The Bearcats’ loss at Ohio State is still one of the best in the country. If Cincinnati beats Memphis, they’ll play Navy in the conference championship (who will likely be a ranked opponent). If they lost, they can still find themselves in New Years’ Six (NY6) bowl contention by avenging their loss against Memphis in the conference championship.
12. Memphis (The American, 10-1):
Loss: @ Temple (30-28)
Next up: vs Cincinnati
Memphis will see themselves playing for a conference championship against Cincinnati if they can take down … Cincinnati this weekend. Two victories against the same team will be a stretch for them to make the playoff, but the American Conference as a whole should rise after the season that a lot of these teams had.
Eliminated:
Michigan (Big Ten, 9-2): Eliminated with inability to control conference destiny.
Oregon (Pac-12, 9-2): Eliminated with week 13 loss to Arizona State, 31-28.
Penn State (Big Ten, 9-2): Eliminated with loss to Ohio State, 28-17 and inability to control conference destiny.
SMU (The American, 9-2): Eliminated with week 13 loss to Navy, 35-28.
Michigan and Penn State are officially eliminated based on their inability to win a conference title as a two-loss team. SMU lost their American Championship hopes with a loss to Navy and Oregon’s loss to Arizona State – even though they can still win a conference championship – simply won’t be strong enough to receive a bid.
Here is a complete list of teams that have been eliminated this season:
Eliminated in Week 0/1 (21 teams):
Akron: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Illinois, 42-3.
Arkansas State: Eliminated with week 1 loss to SMU, 37-30.
Ball State: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Indiana, 34-24.
Coastal Carolina: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Eastern Michigan, 30-23.
Colorado State: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Colorado, 52-13.
Florida Atlantic: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Ohio State, 45-21.
Florida International: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Tulane, 42-14.
Fresno State: Eliminated with week 1 loss to USC, 31-23.
Georgia Southern: Eliminated with week 1 loss to LSU, 55-3.
LA-Lafayette: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Mississippi State, 38-28.
Liberty: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Syracuse, 24-0.
Louisiana Tech: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Texas, 45-14.
Miami (OH): Eliminated with week 1 loss to Iowa, 38-14.
Middle Tennessee: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Michigan, 40-12.
New Mexico State: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Washington State, 58-7.
Rice: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Army, 14-7.
South Alabama: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Nebraska, 35-21.
Texas State: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Texas A&M, 41-7.
Toledo: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Kentucky, 38-24.
UMass: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Rutgers, 48-21.
Western Kentucky: Eliminated with week 1 loss to Central Arkansas, 35-28.
Eliminated in Week 2 (21 teams):
Army: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Michigan, 24-21 (OT).
Bowling Green: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Kansas State, 52-0.
Buffalo: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Penn State, 45-13.
Central Michigan: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Wisconsin, 61-0.
Charlotte: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Appalachian State, 56-41.
Eastern Michigan: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Kentucky, 38-17.
LA-Monroe: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Florida State, 45-44 (OT).
Marshall: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Boise State, 14-7.
Nevada: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Oregon, 77-6.
North Texas: Eliminated with week 2 loss to SMU, 49-27.
Northern Illinois: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Utah, 35-17.
Ohio: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Pittsburgh, 20-10.
Old Dominion: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Virginia Tech, 31-17.
San Jose State: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Tulsa, 34-16.
South Florida: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Georgia Tech, 14-10.
Southern Mississippi: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Mississippi State, 38-15.
Tennessee: Eliminated with week 2 loss to BYU, 29-26.
UNLV: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Arkansas State, 43-17.
UTEP: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Texas Tech, 38-3.
UTSA: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Baylor, 63-14.
Western Michigan: Eliminated with week 2 loss to Michigan State, 51-17.
Eliminated in Week 3 (10 teams):
East Carolina: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Navy, 42-10.
Georgia State: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Western Michigan, 57-10.
Georgia Tech: Eliminated with week 3 loss to The Citadel, 27-24 (OT).
Hawai’i: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Washington, 52-20.
Houston: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Washington State, 31-24.
Kent State: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Auburn, 55-16.
New Mexico: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Notre Dame, 66-14.
Troy: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Southern Miss, 47-42.
Tulsa: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Oklahoma State, 40-21.
UCLA: Eliminated with week 3 loss to Oklahoma, 48-14.
Eliminated in Week 4 (11 teams):
Air Force: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Boise State, 30-19.
BYU: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Washington, 45-19.
Illinois: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Nebraska, 42-38.
Kansas: Eliminated with week 4 loss to West Virginia, 29-24.
San Diego State: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Utah State, 23-17.
South Carolina: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Missouri, 34-14.
Stanford: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Oregon, 21-6.
UConn: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Indiana, 38-3.
UNC: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Appalachian State, 34-31.
Vanderbilt: Eliminated with week 4 loss to LSU, 66-38.
Wyoming: Eliminated with week 4 loss to Tulsa, 24-21.
Eliminated in Week 5 (8 teams):
Arkansas: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Texas A&M, 31-27.
Kentucky: Eliminated with week 5 loss to South Carolina, 24-7.
Northwestern: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Wisconsin, 24-15.
Ole Miss: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Alabama, 59-31.
Oregon State: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Stanford, 31-28.
Purdue: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Minnesota, 38-31.
Rutgers: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Michigan, 52-0.
UAB: Eliminated with week 5 loss to Western Kentucky, 20-13.
Eliminated in Week 6 (5 teams):
Boston College: Eliminated with week 6 loss to Louisville, 41-39.
Miami (FL): Eliminated with week 6 loss to Virginia Tech, 42-35.
Syracuse: Eliminated with week 6 loss to NC State, 16-10.
UCF: Eliminated with week 6 loss to Cincinnati, 27-24.
Utah State: Eliminated with week 6 loss to LSU, 42-6.
Eliminated in Week 7 (11 teams):
Colorado: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Oregon, 45-3.
Florida State: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Clemson, 45-14.
Maryland: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Purdue, 40-14.
Michigan State: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Wisconsin, 38-0.
Mississippi State: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Tennessee, 20-10.
Nebraska: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Minnesota, 34-7.
Texas A&M: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Alabama, 47-28.
Texas Tech: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Baylor, 33-30.
USC: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Notre Dame, 30-27.
Washington State: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Arizona State, 38-34.
West Virginia: Eliminated with week 7 loss to Iowa State, 38-14.
Eliminated in Week 8 (11 teams):
Arizona: Eliminated with week 8 loss to USC, 41-14.
#22 Boise State: Eliminated with week 8 loss to BYU, 28-25.
California: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Oregon State, 21-17.
Duke: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Virginia, 48-14.
NC State: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Boston College, 45-24.
Louisville: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Clemson, 45-10.
Oklahoma State: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Baylor, 45-27.
TCU: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Kansas State, 24-17.
Temple: Eliminated with week 8 loss to SMU, 45-21.
Tulane: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Memphis, 47-17.
Washington: Eliminated with week 8 loss to Oregon, 35-31.
Eliminated in Week 9 (7 teams):
Arizona State: Eliminated with week 9 loss to UCLA, 42-32.
Iowa State: Eliminated with week 9 loss to Oklahoma State, 34-27.
Missouri: Eliminated with week 9 loss to Kentucky, 29-7.
#16 Notre Dame: Eliminated with week 9 loss to Michigan, 45-14.
Pittsburgh: Eliminated with week 9 loss to Miami (FL), 16-12.
Texas: Eliminated with week 9 loss to TCU, 37-27.
Virginia: Eliminated with week 9 loss to Louisville, 28-21.
Eliminated in Week 10 (2 teams):
Virginia Tech: Eliminated with week 10 loss to Notre Dame, 21-20.
Appalachian State: Eliminated with week 10 loss to Georgia Southern, 24-21.
Eliminated in Week 11 (3 teams):
Iowa: Eliminated with week 11 loss to Wisconsin, 24-22.
Kansas State: Eliminated with week 11 loss to Texas, 27-24.
Wake Forest: Eliminated with week 10 loss to Virginia Tech, 36-17 and inability to control conference destiny.
Eliminated in Week 12 (4 teams):
Auburn: Eliminated with week 12 loss to Georgia, 21-14.
Florida: Eliminated with inability to control conference destiny.
Indiana: Eliminated with week 12 loss to Penn State, 34-17.
Navy: Eliminated with week 12 loss to Notre Dame, 52-20.
Eliminated in Week 13 (4 teams):
Michigan: Eliminated with inability to control conference destiny.
Oregon: Eliminated with week 13 loss to Arizona State, 31-28.
Penn State: Eliminated with loss to Ohio State, 28-17 and inability to control conference destiny.
SMU: Eliminated with week 13 loss to Navy, 35-28.