Reclaiming & Disputing College Football National Champions: 1869 – 1879

On March 7, 2022March 10, 2022 By partikapostsIn college football, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The inaugural college football decade looked a lot different than the sport that encapsulates so many campuses today. Improvised rules were made by the home teams and current Ivy League member institutions were at the forefront of new American football, which more closely resembled soccer and rugby in its early days. Here, we take a look at which teams have rightful claims to national championships.

1869

Claimed Champions: New Jersey (Princeton) & Rutgers

Contenders:
Princeton (1-1)
– Loss: at Rutgers (6-4)
Rutgers (1-1)
– Loss: at Princeton (8-0)

The first two college football games were played between Princeton and Rutgers, each winning on their home fields. After the hilarious account of Rutgers’ win at Princeton, one of the new rules Princeton added when Rutgers came to town was the awarding of the “free kick” to any player that caught the ball without it hitting the ground. Apparently, the rule greatly affected the Rutgers squad and resulted in an 8-0 Princeton victory.

There are very few records of the first college football season, but one thing is certain: the lack of a true national champion started here. A third game, which would have acted as the first national championship, was scheduled to be played. Conflicts over which rules to play under and complaints from faculty at both institutions prevented the game from ever happening.

This would alter college football and the culture of not having one true champion for over a century.

New Champions: Princeton & Rutgers

1870

Claimed Champions: Princeton

Contenders:
Princeton (1-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Princeton (1-0)

Columbia joined Princeton and Rutgers as the only three programs in the country. Rutgers was the only team to play both of their available opponents, beating Columbia and losing to Princeton. This was the first true national championship season in college football, with Princeton taking it all after a 6-2 defeat of Rutgers at home.

New Champions: Princeton

1871

No college football games were played in 1871. Princeton played a few exhibition games against Princeton Theological Seminary, but those games are not considered to count towards any type of regular season.

New Champions: N/A

1872

Claimed Champions: Princeton & Yale

Contenders:
Princeton (1-0)
Yale (1-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Princeton (1-0) & Yale (1-0)

With Yale and Stevens (Institute of Technology) bringing the college football team total to five, the sport made its return after a one-year hiatus.

Princeton beat Rutgers, 4-1, and Yale beat Columbia, 3-0. There is no virtual way to compare these wins, even knowing the fact that Rutgers beat Columbia that season. Using the transitive property to compare team’s opponents is rarely a strong metric, making this another split national championship season.

New Champions: Princeton & Yale

1873

Claimed Champions: Princeton

Contenders:
Harvard (1-0-1)
– Tie: vs McGill (0-0)
Princeton (1-0)
Washington & Lee (4-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Princeton (1-0) & Washington & Lee (4-0)

The beginning of the season consisted of a New York City meeting between Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale to decide on what rules would be used for America’s newest sport. Harvard did not attend, continuing to play under their own set of rules.

Harvard faced McGill (Canada) twice in a two-day span that year; the second game, which was the first rugby-style football game ever played in the United States, ended in a scoreless tie. Both games were technically played in May of 1874.

Washington and Lee played all four of their games against the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), but little is known about the Generals’ first season.

Princeton took down Yale, who was their fellow co-national champion from the previous year, in the first game played between the two institutions.

New Champions: Princeton

1874

Claimed Champions: Princeton & Yale

Contenders:
Princeton (2-0)
Yale (3-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Princeton (2-0), Tufts (1-0), & Yale (3-0)

Another season in which Princeton and Yale avoided each other, both of them went undefeated in the 1874 season. Princeton defeated Columbia and Rutgers while Yale defeated Stevens and Columbia (twice) handily.

Harvard only played one contest in 1874, where they traveled to Montreal for a rematch with McGill.

For the second time in three years, this was a split title for Princeton and Yale.

New Champions: Princeton & Yale

1875

Claimed Champions: Columbia & Princeton

Contenders:
Columbia (4-1-1)
– Tie: at Rutgers (1-1)
– Loss: at Princeton (6-2)
Harvard (4-0)
Princeton (2-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Harvard (4-0) & Princeton (2-0)

Columbia was at the forefront of scheduling and actually traveling to play their opponents. However, their 1875 claim to a national title is an obvious dispute due to their 6-2 loss at Princeton.

Harvard finished the season 4-0 with wins over the Canada All-Stars (twice), Tufts, and Yale. The blemish on Harvard’s schedule came on Independence Day, 1875. Harvard lost to Tufts on that summer day in Cambridge but does not consider it apart of their 1875 season. Instead, they consider it a continuation of the 1874 season. Tufts, on the other hand, considers the summer victory an 1875 contest.

Princeton is the deserving national champion of 1875 due to their 2-0 record that consisted of wins over Columbia and Stevens, who each played six games that season.

New Champions: Princeton

1876

Claimed Champions: Yale

Contenders:
Yale (3-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Rutgers (1-0) & Yale (3-0)

For the first time in college football’s young history, Princeton did not finish the season with at least a share of the national title.

Rutgers played one game in ’76, defeating Stevens by a score of 3-2.

Yale took down Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia while not allowing a single score against them. On the Thanksgiving Day contest against Princeton, the first ever forward pass was used on a Yale touchdown; Yale’s Walter Camp ran for a significant gain before tossing the ball forward to O.D. Thompson, who ran the ball in for a touchdown. After a dispute between the two teams on the legitimacy of the play, the referee tossed a coin. Yale won the coin toss, and the play stood.

New Champions: Yale

1877

Claimed Champions: Princeton & Yale

Contenders:
Princeton (2-0-1)
– Tie: vs Yale (0-0)
Yale (3-0-1)
– Tie: vs Princeton (0-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Amherst (1-0)

Both Princeton and Yale took down Columbia in the 1877 season. In the season finale, Princeton and Yale played to a 0-0 tie on a neutral field in Hoboken, New Jersey. Under rules created before the start of the game, reaching the endzone only afforded that team a chance to kick through the goalpost. Reaching the endzone alone awarded no points. Princeton never reached the endzone, while Yale did twice and was unable to convert their kicks.

This is the third season in the first decade of college football where Princeton and Yale would share claim to another national championship.

New Champions: Princeton & Yale

1878

Claimed Champions: Princeton

Contenders:
Princeton (6-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Princeton (6-0)

Princeton asserted their collegiate dominance in 1878, beating Penn (twice), Stevens, Rutgers, Harvard, and Yale. The first of the sport’s dynasties, Princeton made sure to leave no doubt as to which school boasted the best football program.

New Champions: Princeton

1879

Claimed Champions: Princeton & Yale

Contenders:
Princeton (4-0-1)
– Tie: vs Yale (0-0
Yale (3-0-2)
– Ties: vs Harvard (0-0), vs Princeton (0-0)

Unblemished Recognition: Massachusetts Agricultural College (UMass) (1-0)

Once again, the national title ran through the neutral grounds of Hoboken, New Jersey, where Princeton and Yale played to a 0-0 tie at the end of the season.

The edge that Princeton has is its 1-0 victory over Harvard, a team that Yale tied that year. This was the Tiger’s ninth national title during the early years of American college football.

New Champions: Princeton

1869 – 1879

Year	Champions
1869	Princeton & Rutgers
1870	Princeton
1871	N/A
1872	Princeton & Yale
1873	Princeton
1874	Princeton & Yale
1875	Princeton
1876	Yale
1877	Princeton & Yale
1878	Princeton
1879	Princeton

New CFB National Champions by Year, 1869 – 1879

Team Totals (up to 1879)

Team	Championships	Years
Princeton	9	1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1878, 1879
Yale	4	1872, 1874, 1876, 1877
Rutgers	1	1869

New CFB National Champions by Team, 1869 – 1879

Let us know what you think!

Final College Football Playoff Eliminator

On November 30, 2021 By partikapostsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ELIMINATOR – CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

It was an eventful rivalry week that twisted (and almost completely flipped) the College Football Playoff (CFP) race. Alabama needed four overtimes to beat Auburn, Michigan dismantled Ohio State on the ground, and Oklahoma State took down Oklahoma. There are only a few teams left in contention for the CFP race heading into conference championship week.

#1 Georgia (12-0)

Up Next: SEC Championship vs #3 Alabama (11-1)

With Win: The unequivocal No. 1 seed is on the line for the Georgia Bulldogs, who boast the best defense in the land.

With Loss: The No. 1 seed will be gone with a loss, but there is absolutely no chance the Bulldogs finish outside the top-four at 12-1 based on the season they had.

#2 Michigan (11-1): lost to Michigan State, 37-33 (Week 9)

Up Next: Big Ten Championship vs #13 Iowa (10-2)

With Win: Their first trip to the CFP in the Harbaugh era. If they win the Big Ten, they’ll most likely stay at the No. 2 spot behind the SEC champ.

With Loss: Two decades of disappointment will come full circle for the 2021 season. The Wolverines will drop out of the top-four without a doubt.

#3 Alabama (11-1): lost to Texas A&M, 41-38 (Week 6)

Up Next: SEC Championship vs #1 Georgia (12-0)

With Win: The Crimson Tide will probably take over as the No. 1 seed in the CFP if they win the SEC, bumping Georgia to No. 2 or No. 3.

With Loss: Georgia, the Big XII champ, and Notre Dame (probably) would all be in. The Tide would need Iowa to beat Michigan, Houston to beat Cincinnati, and Utah to beat Oregon while also winning a debate against a two-loss Ohio State, and a two-loss Big Ten champ Iowa.

#4 Cincinnati (12-0)

Up Next: American Championship vs #21 Houston (11-1)

With Win: The first trip to the CFP for a Group of Five program. If Cincinnati is 13-0 and stands outside of the top-four, expect riots. If Georgia wins the SEC, Cincinnati could move up to the No. 3 spot and avoid the Bulldogs while playing Michigan (if they win the Big Ten).

With Loss: The magic of an undefeated season will be gone and so will a CFP berth, opening the door wide open for the Big XII.

#5 Oklahoma State (11-1): lost to Iowa State, 24-21 (Week 8)

Up Next: Big XII Championship vs #9 Baylor (10-2)

With Win: The Cowboys need Georgia to beat Alabama, Iowa to beat Michigan, OR Houston to beat Cincinnati. If any of those three happen, Oklahoma State should jump into the final CFP spot.

With Loss: Eliminated.

#6 Notre Dame (11-1): lost to Cincinnati, 24-13 (Week 5)

Up Next: OFF

What They Need: The Irish need two of Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati to lose to more-than-likely secure a spot. The Big XII champ is still in prime position to be in over Notre Dame, while two-loss Oregon and Iowa (both as conference champs) also having better wins and a conference title on their resume – they’d probably still sit behind the Irish, however.

#7 Ohio State (10-2): lost to Oregon, 35-28 (Week 6) & Michigan, 42-27 (Week 13)

Up Next: OFF

What They Need: Utter chaos. The Buckeyes would need an ugly Big Ten Championship, Georgia to win the SEC, Utah to win the Pac-12, Houston to win the American, and it wouldn’t hurt to have Baylor win an ugly game in the Big XII Championship. If all that happens – don’t be surprised for this Ohio State squad to be in the mix in a top-four scenario of Georgia, Michigan or Iowa, and two of either Baylor, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.

#9 Baylor (10-2): lost to Oklahoma State, 24-14 (Week 5) & TCU, 30-28 (Week 10)

Up Next: Big XII Championship vs #5 Oklahoma State (11-1)

With Win: A Georgia win would certainly help everyone outside of the top-four, including a two-loss conference champion Bears squad. It wouldn’t hurt if Michigan lost the Big Ten or Cincinnati lost the American, two scenarios that their conference championship game opponent would also benefit from.

With Loss: Eliminated.

#10 Oregon (10-2): lost to Stanford, 31-24 (OT) (Week 5) & Utah, 38-7 (Week 12)

Up Next: Pac-12 Championship vs #17 Utah (9-3)

With Win: The winner of the Big XII, the winner of the SEC, and Notre Dame would all likely be ahead of Oregon regardless of the result, so it’s vital that Georgia takes out Alabama, Iowa takes out Michigan, and Houston takes out Cincinnati.

With Loss: Eliminated.

#13 Iowa (10-2): lost to Purdue, 24-7 (Week 7) & Wisconsin, 27-7 (Week 9)

Up Next: Big Ten Championship vs #2 Michigan (11-1)

With Win: Iowa would need Georgia to beat Alabama, Houston to beat Cincinnati, and Utah to beat Oregon. Even with all of that – they’d still be in a debate with Notre Dame, the Big XII champ, two-loss Ohio State, and two-loss Alabama for the other three spots.

With Loss: Eliminated.

#15 Pittsburgh (10-2): lost to Western Michigan, 44-41 (Week 3) & Miami, 38-34 (Week 9)

Up Next: ACC Championship vs #16 Wake Forest (10-2)

With Win: The Panthers would need Ohio State-level chaos and to absolutely dominate the Demon Decans. Either way you spin it, this would be a nearly impossible scenario. The Panthers should be proud of their season.

With Loss: Eliminated.

#16 Wake Forest (10-2): lost to UNC, 58-55 (Week 10) & Clemson, 48-27 (Week 12)

Up Next: ACC Championship vs #15 Pittsburgh (10-2)

With Win: The Demon Decans, like Pitt, would also need Ohio State-level chaos and to crush Pitt to get in the top-four. It’s a nearly impossible ask for the ACC to slide back into the CFP conversation.

With Loss: Eliminated.

College Football Playoff Eliminator: Week 12

On November 26, 2021November 26, 2021 By partikapostsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ELIMINATOR – WEEK 12

The list has grown shorter for teams still competing for a conference championship, New Years’ Six (NY6), and College Football Playoff (CFP) bid. The Big Ten is in a good spot for an automatic bid thanks to Ohio State and Michigan, while the SEC is in a similar spot thanks to Georgia and Alabama. Cincinnati has also entered the mix and more-than-likely controls their own destiny.

Let’s run through the CFP Eliminator criteria before breaking down the national landscape:

Three-loss Power Five teams: A two-loss Power Five team that finds itself playing for a conference championship can also be playing for a CFP spot. Although unlikely, two-loss conference champs such as Baylor still have a shot.

Two-loss Group of Five teams: One-loss is enough to eliminate a Group of Five team from playoff contention. However, we will keep around the teams that can still finish the season undefeated or as a one-loss conference champion – which could be enough to get them into a NY6 bid – such as San Diego State.

Strength of schedule issues: The longer the season goes on, the clearer the picture gets as far as a team’s strength of schedule is concerned. Cincinnati has one of the best wins among CFP contenders, which is why they control their playoff fate.

CONTROLLING THEIR OWN DESTINY (4 TEAMS)

#1 Georgia (11-0)

Georgia has the best defense in the country and will have to play an impressive Alabama offense in the conference championship game after their matchup with Georgia Tech.

What they need:

Georgia can probably afford a loss and still get in, as long as the other contenders don’t impress the committee more than the Bulldogs have all season.

#2 Ohio State (10-1): lost to Oregon, 35-28 (Week 6)

Ohio State’s Heisman frontrunner QB CJ Stroud (3,468 yards, 36 TD / 5 INT) has been on fire as of late. If he impresses against Michigan and wins the Big Ten the following week, OSU will be squarely in the number two position.

What they need:

Just win, baby. If the Buckeyes were the lose this weekend, they would need some help from the SEC, Big XII, and even Cincinnati and Notre Dame to somehow get back in the mix.

#3 Alabama (10-1): lost to Texas A&M, 41-38 (Week 6)

Alabama’s offense and Heisman QB Bryce Young (3,584 yards, 38 TD (2 rush) / 3 INT) lead a Bama offense against rival Auburn this week. They already clinched an SEC title game berth.

What they need:

Win and you’re in. If the Tide lose one to Auburn and beat Georgia, they’ll most likely still get a spot in the CFP. If they beat Auburn and make it close in a loss to Georgia, they still may have the credentials to stay in the top four (depending on what happens in the Big XII, Notre Dame, and with other contenders).

#4 Cincinnati (11-0)

Cincinnati has put it together as of late, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. If they win the American, they should be securely in the CFP.

What they need:

What they need has been what they’ve been doing all year – just winning.

Michigan (10-1): lost to Michigan State, 37-33 (Week 9)

Michigan is all business this year. Outside of the Michigan State loss, this is a Wolverines squad that controls their own destiny beyond a shadow of a doubt.

What they need:

To win the Big Ten. First, they need to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes at home.

CHAOS WOULD HAVE TO OCCUR (4 TEAMS)

#7 Oklahoma State (10-1): lost to Iowa State, 24-21 (Week 8)

Oklahoma State has looked like a playoff team on defense, but they’ll need to beat Oklahoma and win the Big XII to get there.

What they need:

The Pokes cannot afford a loss. They’ll need to beat two top-ten teams down the final stretch to get a shot at the top four, along with some help from the teams ahead of them.

#10 Oklahoma (10-1): lost to Baylor, 27-14 (Week 11)

Oklahoma has struggled all season long, particularly on offense, where they just can’t seem to put it all together.

What they need:

They need to take down Oklahoma State twice and hope for the same chaos ahead of them as the Cowboys do. If Cincinnati loses in their final two contests, a spot will open up for an Oklahoma team with a conference title.

#18 Wake Forest (9-2): lost to UNC, 58-55 (Week 10) & Clemson, 48-27 (Week 12)

Wake controls their own ACC destiny thanks to the play of QB Sam Hartman (3,475 yards, 31 TD (9 rush) / 9 INT) this season.

What they need:

It would take utter chaos for the Demon Deacons to reach the CFP. That train has essentially sailed, but a NY6 big is still in play as long as they win at Boston College and beat Pitt for the ACC title.

#6 Notre Dame (10-1): lost to Cincinnati, 24-13 (Week 5)

Not being in a conference could finally catch up to the Irish, who could finish the season 11-1 and outside the top four.

What they need:

If Alabama loses to Georgia, Notre Dame might have a fighting chance to reach the top four. With Ohio State and Michigan playing an elimination game this week, there is an opportunity for Notre Dame to get in. However, the Big XII contenders are sitting right behind them.

WOULD NEED TO BE A TWO-LOSS CONFERENCE CHAMP (4 TEAMS)

#8 Baylor (9-2): lost to Oklahoma State, 24-14 (Week 5) & TCU, 30-28 (Week 10)

What they need:

Baylor will need to beat Texas Tech and hope Oklahoma loses to Oklahoma State to have a shot at a rematch with the Cowboys. A two-loss Big XII champ might have a case over Notre Dame, but the Bears still need some help from the SEC.

#11 Oregon (9-2): lost to Stanford, 31-24 (OT) (Week 5) & Utah, 38-7 (Week 12)

The Ducks got demolished by Utah and will need to face them again if they get by Oregon State this weekend.

What they need:

Oregon should be rooting for a combination of some of the following: Georgia to run through Alabama, Ohio State to win the Big Ten, Cincinnati to lose, Notre Dame to lose, and carnage in the Big XII.

#9 Ole Miss (10-2): eliminated with Alabama clinching the SEC West (Week 12)

What they need:

It would be difficult for the Rebels to find themselves in the CFP, although they already clinched a NY6 bowl berth. However, anything could happen on Championship Saturday – a day that Ole Miss will be watching from home.

#17 Pittsburgh (9-2): lost to Western Michigan, 44-41 (Week 3) & Miami, 38-34 (Week 9)

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett (3,857 yards, 36 TD (4 rush) / 6 INT) still has time to impress in the Heisman race for the Panthers, who clinched the Coastal Division.

What they need:

Just like Wake Forest, the Panthers would need absolute chaos ahead of them. A NY6 bowl bid is still in play for an ACC champ.

#16 Iowa (9-2): lost to Purdue, 24-7 (Week 7) & Wisconsin, 27-7 (Week 9)

What they need:

The Hawkeyes need to win the Big Ten and hope for a miracle, but a Rose Bowl berth would be more than enough for a team who has been on a downward trend all year.

G5 & INDEPENDENTS WITH AN OUTSIDE SHOT AT A NY6 (5 TEAMS)

#13 BYU (9-2): lost to Boise State, 26-17 (Week 6) & Baylor, 38-24 (Week 7)

#24 Houston (10-1): lost to Texas Tech, 38-21 (Week 1)

#22 UTSA (11-0)

Louisiana (10-1): lost to Texas, 38-18 (Week 1)

#21 San Diego State (11-1): lost to Fresno State, 30-20 (Week 9)

HONORABLE MENTION

Appalachian State (9-2)

THE ELIMINATED

WEEK 12 (1 TEAM)

Michigan State: eliminated with Ohio State or Michigan clinching the Big Ten East (Week 12)

WEEK 11 (3 TEAMS)

Coastal Carolina: eliminated with loss to Georgia State, 42-40 (Week 11)

NC State: eliminated with loss to Wake Forest, 45-42 (Week 11)

Texas A&M: eliminated with loss to Ole Miss, 29-19 (Week 11)

WEEK 10 (4 TEAMS)

Auburn: eliminated with loss to Texas A&M, 20-3 (Week 10)

Liberty: eliminated with loss to Ole Miss, 27-14 (Week 10)

Minnesota: eliminated with loss to Illinois, 14-6 (Week 10)

SMU: eliminated with loss to Memphis, 28-25 (Week 10)

WEEK 9 (7 TEAMS)

Arizona State: eliminated with loss to Washington State, 34-21 (Week 9)

Iowa State: eliminated with loss to West Virginia (Week 9)

Kentucky: eliminated with Georgia clinching the SEC East (Week 9)

Oregon State: eliminated with loss to California, 39-25 (Week 9)

Penn State: eliminated with loss to Ohio State, 33-24 (Week 9)

UTEP: eliminated with loss to Florida Atlantic, 28-25 (Week 9)

Virginia: eliminated with loss to BYU, 66-49 (Week 9)

WEEK 8 (10 TEAMS)

Air Force: eliminated with loss to San Diego State, 20-14 (Week 8)

Army: eliminated with loss to Wake Forest, 70-56 (Week 8)

Boston College: eliminated with loss to Louisville, 28-14 (Week 8)

Clemson: eliminated with loss to Pitt, 27-7 (Week 8)

Maryland: eliminated with loss to Minnesota, 34-16 (Week 8)

Nevada: eliminated with loss to Fresno State, 34-31 (Week 8)

Purdue: eliminated with loss to Wisconsin, 30-13 (Week 8)

Texas Tech: eliminated with loss to Kansas State, 25-24 (Week 8)

UCLA: eliminated with loss to Oregon, 34-3 (Week 8)

Utah: eliminated with loss to Oregon State, 42-34 (Week 8)

WEEK 7 (10 TEAMS)

Appalachian State: eliminated with loss to Louisiana, 41-13 (Week 7)

Arkansas: eliminated with loss to Auburn, 38-23 (Week 7)

Florida: eliminated with loss to LSU, 49-42 (Week 7)

Kansas State: eliminated with loss to Iowa State, 33-20 (Week 7)

Mississippi State: eliminated with loss to Alabama, 49-9 (Week 7)

TCU: eliminated with loss to Oklahoma, 52-31 (Week 7)

Tennessee: eliminated with loss to Ole Miss, 31-26 (Week 7)

Texas: eliminated with loss to Oklahoma State, 32-24 (Week 7)

Virginia Tech: eliminated with loss to Pitt, 28-7 (Week 7)

Wyoming: eliminated with loss to Fresno State, 17-0 (Week 7)

WEEK 6 (11 TEAMS)

Duke: eliminated with loss to Georgia Tech, 31-27 (Week 6)

Louisville: eliminated with loss to Virginia, 34-33 (Week 6)

LSU: eliminated with loss to Kentucky, 42-21 (Week 6)

Rutgers: eliminated with loss to Michigan State, 31-13 (Week 6)

South Alabama: eliminated with loss to Texas State, 33-31 (OT) (Week 6)

South Carolina: eliminated with loss to Tennessee, 45-20 (Week 6)

Stanford: eliminated with loss to Arizona State, 28-10 (Week 6)

Syracuse: eliminated with loss to Wake Forest, 40-37 (OT) (Week 6)

UNC: eliminated with loss to Florida State, 35-25 (Week 6)

USC: eliminated with loss to Utah, 42-26 (Week 6)

Western Michigan: eliminated with loss to Ball State, 45-20 (Week 6)

WEEK 5 (16 TEAMS)

Charlotte: eliminated with loss to Illinois, 24-14 (Week 5)

Eastern Michigan: eliminated with loss to Northern Illinois (Week 5)

Fresno State: eliminated with loss to Hawai’i, 27-24 (Week 5)

Georgia Tech: eliminated with loss to Pitt, 52-21 (Week 5)

Indiana: eliminated with loss to Penn State, 24-0 (Week 5)

Louisiana-Monroe: eliminated with loss to Coastal Carolina, 59-6 (Week 5)

Memphis: eliminated with loss to Temple, 34-31 (Week 5)

Miami: eliminated with loss to Virginia, 30-28 (Week 5)

Missouri: eliminated with loss to Tennessee, 62-24 (Week 5)

Northwestern: eliminated with loss to Nebraska, 56-7 (Week 5)

UAB: eliminated with loss to Liberty, 36-12 (Week 5)

UCF: eliminated with loss to Navy, 34-30 (Week 5)

Utah State: eliminated with loss to BYU, 34-20 (Week 5)

Washington: eliminated with loss to Oregon State, 27-24 (Week 5)

West Virginia: eliminated with loss to Texas Tech, 23-20 (Week 5)

Wisconsin: eliminated with loss to Michigan, 38-17 (Week 5)

WEEK 4 (12 TEAMS)

California: eliminated with loss to Washington, 31-24 (OT) (Week 4)

Colorado: eliminated with loss to Arizona State, 35-13 (Week 4)

Florida Atlantic: eliminated with loss to Air Force, 31-7 (Week 4)

Kansas: eliminated with loss to Duke, 52-33 (Week 4)

Marshall: Eliminated with loss to Appalachian State, 31-30 (Week 4)

Nebraska: eliminated with loss to Michigan State, 23-20 (Week 4)

New Mexico: eliminated with loss to UTEP, 20-13 (Week 4)

San Jose State: eliminated with loss to Western Michigan (Week 4)

Troy: eliminated with loss to Louisiana-Monroe, 29-16 (Week 4)

Vanderbilt: eliminated with loss to Georgia, 62-0 (Week 4)

Washington State: eliminated with loss to Utah, 24-13 (Week 4)

Western Kentucky: eliminated with loss to Indiana, 33-31 (Week 4)

WEEK 3 (21 TEAMS)

Arizona: eliminated with loss to Northern Arizona, 21-19 (Week 3)

Arkansas State: eliminated with loss to Washington, 52-3 (Week 3)

Ball State: eliminated with loss to Wyoming, 45-12 (Week 3)

Boise State: eliminated with loss to Oklahoma State, 21-20 (Week 3)

Buffalo: eliminated with loss to Coastal Carolina, 28-25 (Week 3)

Central Michigan: eliminated with loss to LSU, 49-21 (Week 3)

FIU: eliminated with loss to Texas Tech, 54-21 (Week 3)

Florida State: eliminated with loss to Wake Forest, 35-14 (Week 3)

Georgia Southern: eliminated with loss to Arkansas, 45-10 (Week 3)

Illinois: eliminated with loss to Maryland, 20-17 (Week 3)

Kent State: eliminated with loss to Iowa, 30-7 (Week 3)

Louisiana Tech: eliminated with loss to SMU, 39-37 (Week 3)

Middle Tennessee: eliminated with loss to UTSA, 27-13 (Week 3)

Northern Illinois: eliminated with loss to Michigan, 63-10 (Week 3)

North Texas: eliminated with loss to UAB, 40-6 (Week 3)

Old Dominion: eliminated with loss to Liberty, 45-17 (Week 3)

Southern Miss: eliminated with loss to Troy, 21-9 (Week 3)

Temple: eliminated with loss to Boston College, 28-3 (Week 3)

Texas State: eliminated with loss to Incarnate Word, 42-34 (Week 3)

Toledo: eliminated with loss to Colorado State, 22-6 (Week 3)

Tulane: eliminated with loss to Ole Miss, 61-21 (Week 3)

WEEK 2 (15 TEAMS)

Akron: eliminated with loss to Temple, 45-24 (Week 2)

Bowling Green: eliminated with loss to South Alabama, 22-19 (Week 2)

Colorado State: eliminated with loss to Vanderbilt, 24-21 (Week 2)

East Carolina: eliminated with loss to South Carolina, 20-17 (Week 2)

Georgia State: eliminated with loss to UNC, 59-17 (Week 2)

Hawai’i: eliminated with loss to Oregon State, 45-27 (Week 2)

Miami (OH): eliminated with loss to Minnesota, 31-26 (Week 2)

Navy: eliminated with loss to Air Force, 23-3 (Week 2)

Ohio: eliminated with loss to Duquesne, 28-26 (Week 2)

Rice: eliminated with loss to Houston, 44-7 (Week 2)

Tulsa: eliminated with loss to Oklahoma State, 28-23 (Week 2)

UConn: eliminated with loss to Holy Cross, 38-28 (Week 2)

UMass: eliminated with loss to Boston College, 45-28 (Week 2)

UNLV: eliminated with loss to Arizona State, 37-10 (Week 2)

USF: eliminated with loss to Florida, 42-20 (Week 2)

WEEK 1 (1 TEAM)

New Mexico State: eliminated with loss to San Diego State, 28-10 (Week 1)

College Football Playoff Eliminator: Week 11

On November 18, 2021 By partikapostsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ELIMINATOR – WEEK 11

The door crept a little more open for the Cincinnati Bearcats, who didn’t move in this week’s College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings but had the enjoyment of watching Oklahoma lose to Baylor, seemingly cracking the Big XII’s chance’s of hopping the Bearcats. The Big Ten continued to impress at the top, as Wisconsin, Michigan State, Michigan, and Ohio State all won.

Let’s run through the CFP Eliminator criteria before breaking down the national landscape:

Three-loss Power Five teams: A two-loss Power Five team that finds itself playing for a conference championship can also be playing for a CFP spot. There are few scenarios in which that happens after Texas A&M’s loss to Ole Miss, but the door is open.

Two-loss Group of Five teams: One-loss is enough to eliminate a Group of Five team from playoff contention. However, we will keep around the teams that can still finish the season undefeated or as a one-loss conference champion – which could be enough to get them into a New Years’ Six (NY6) bowl.

Strength of schedule issues: The longer the season goes on, the clearer the picture gets as far as a team’s strength of schedule is concerned. Cincinnati continues to cling onto that win over Notre Dame, and the Irish keep winning and look better each week.

CONTROLLING THEIR OWN DESTINY (4 TEAMS)

#1 Georgia (10-0)

Georgia ran away from Tennessee in the second half and get matchups with Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech to close the year before the SEC Championship. At this point, the Bulldogs and their defense can afford a blemish before the CFP.

#2 Alabama (9-1): lost to Texas A&M, 41-38 (Week 6)

QB Bryce Young (21/23, 270 yards, 5 TD) is still putting together a strong Heisman campaign after the Tide’s beatdown of New Mexico State. Alabama still has to get through Arkansas and Auburn before they can clinch a berth against Georgia for the SEC title.

#3 Oregon (9-1): lost to Stanford, 31-24 (OT) (Week 5)

Oregon will finally get their chance against a ranked conference opponent in No. 23 Utah this weekend, who they will likely see again in the Pac-12 title game. One loss would doom the Ducks, but winning out will surely keep them in the top four.

#4 Ohio State (9-1): lost to Oregon, 35-28 (Week 6)

Ohio State throttled Purdue, 59-31, behind QB CJ Stroud (31/38, 361 yards, 5 TD), RB TreVeyon Henderson (98 yards, 2 TD), and the WR trio of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (139 yards, 1 TD), Garrett Wilson (177 total yards, 4 total TD), and Chris Olave (85 yards, 1 TD). This offense is clearly the best in the country from top to bottom and they’ll get to show it against the worst passing defense in the country – Michigan State.

WILL NEED SOME HELP IF THEY WIN OUT (3 TEAMS)

#7 Michigan State (9-1): lost to Purdue, 40-29 (Week 10)

RB Kenneth Walker (143 yards, 2 TD) went off again in a win versus Maryland. Winning out would surely propel the Spartans into the CFP race if they can get through a trip to Columbus and a home rivalry game against Penn State.

#5 Cincinnati (10-0)

Cincinnati will have their toughest conference test yet against SMU on Saturday before closing the season against East Carolina. The good news for the Bearcats is that the Houston Cougars are finally ranked and could stay there before the AAC Championship.

#6 Michigan (9-1): lost to Michigan State, 37-33 (Week 9)

The Wolverines took care of business in Happy Valley against Penn State. They have Maryland before taking on Ohio State to close the year, but unfortunately for Michigan, they don’t control their own conference destiny. If Michigan State loses this weekend in Columbus, it will come down to the rivalry game against the Buckeyes to play for a Big Ten Championship.

CHAOS WOULD HAVE TO OCCUR (4 TEAMS)

#9 Oklahoma State (9-1): lost to Iowa State, 24-21 (Week 8)

The Cowboys smoked TCU behind RBs Dominic Richardson (134 yards, 2 TD) and Jaylen Warren (113 yards, 3 TD). They take on Texas Tech before a matchup with Oklahoma, which could be played again in the conference championship game.

#13 Oklahoma (9-1)

Oklahoma struggled heavily against Baylor in a 27-14 loss on the road. With Iowa State and Oklahoma State on deck, it doesn’t get much better for a Sooners squad that can’t decide on who to put under center.

#10 Wake Forest (9-1)

Wake had another shootout but this time came out victorious at home against NC State with QB Sam Hartman throwing three interceptions and dampening his Heisman hopes. Road games against Clemson and Boston College are their two remaining games before an ACC Championship game which will likely be against Pitt – another high-profile conference offense.

#8 Notre Dame (9-1): lost to Cincinnati, 24-13 (Week 5)

The Irish quietly continue to win and watch teams ahead of them face much tougher opponents. Georgia Tech and Stanford are not impressive matchups to close the regular season, but many of the teams in front of them still have to face one another. It wouldn’t be shocking if Notre Dame is in the mix on selection day.

WOULD NEED TO BE A TWO-LOSS CONFERENCE CHAMP (4 TEAMS)

#11 Baylor (8-2): lost to Oklahoma State, 24-14 (Week 5) & TCU, 30-28 (Week 10)

Baylor took care of Oklahoma at home but will still need some help if they want to play for a Big XII title. An Oklahoma loss to Iowa State this weekend would certainly help, giving the Bears the inside track on a rematch with Oklahoma State.

#12 Ole Miss (8-2): lost to Alabama, 42-21 (Week 5) & Auburn, 31-20 (Week 9)

It’s not quite over for the Ole Miss Rebels, who will need a pair of Alabama losses to Arkansas and Auburn in order to play for the SEC Championship. QB Matt Corral (24/37, 247 yards, 1 TD) led the upset bid against Texas A&M and will have to focus on Vanderbilt and Mississippi State to close out what has been a surprisingly good season in Oxford.

#21 Pittsburgh (8-2): lost to Western Michigan, 44-41 (Week 3) & Miami, 38-34 (Week 9)

Pitt is squarely in the driver’s seat following last Thursday’s overtime win against UNC. QB Kenny Pickett (25/43, 346 yards, 3 TD / 1 INT) is seen as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks heading down the stretch. With Virginia and Syracuse coming up, the Panthers are in prime position to be playing for a conference championship.

#17 Iowa (8-2): lost to Purdue, 24-7 (Week 7) & Wisconsin, 27-7 (Week 9)

The Hawkeyes took down Minnesota in a crucial Big Ten West matchup. They have Illinois and Nebraska to close the year and will need Wisconsin to drop one of their two remaining games (home against Nebraska, on the road against Minnesota) in order to be playing for a Big Ten title that is well within reach.

G5 & INDEPENDENTS WITH AN OUTSIDE SHOT AT A NY6 (5 TEAMS)

#14 BYU (8-2): lost to Boise State, 26-17 (Week 6) & Baylor, 38-24 (Week 7)

BYU has stayed stagnant in the rankings thus far as they get to travel to Georgia Southern and USC to finish off the year. There is a very realistic chance that the Cougars will be playing in a NY6 bowl come the postseason.

#24 Houston (9-1): lost to Texas Tech, 38-21 (Week 1)

Houston remains electric on offense as they took down Temple, 37-8, for their ninth straight win. They have Memphis on Friday night before their final game at UConn. This is a Cougars team that matches up well with Cincinnati, which should be a ranked AAC Championship.

#22 UTSA (10-0)

UTSA continues to roll through their schedule after taking down Southern Miss behind QB Frank Harris (17/30, 227 yards, 2 TD / 2 INT) and RB Sincere McCormick (90 yards, 1 TD). UAB (7-3) comes to town this weekend to decide the West Division before a finale against North Texas.

Louisiana (9-1): lost to Texas, 38-18 (Week 1)

The Ragin’ Cajuns are still unranked, but they’ll have a chance to prove themselves at Liberty this weekend. They clinched a spot in the Sun Belt title game and can still make it to a NY6 bowl if their nine-game win streak continues.

#19 San Diego State (9-1): lost to Fresno State, 30-20 (Week 9)

SDSU is a strong competitor for a NY6 spot. They have UNLV and Boise State to close out the year and will likely play Utah State for the Mountain West Championship. If they run the table, they’ll certainly be one of the highest ranked Group of Five teams.

HONORABLE MENTION – TEAMS HAVING GOOD SEASONS

Appalachian State (8-2), Utah State (8-2)