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The College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday. After a Saturday that saw four of the country’s nine undefeated teams fall – all but eliminating the Big 12 from contention – the expected top four doesn’t seem to be filled with anything unexpected, for now.
Here are the four teams likely to be the top four and what they have to do to stay there, along with a few teams still chasing them.
Alabama: No one is close. The Crimson Tide averages nearly 500 yards per game and is allowing 70 rushing yards per game. It has been a dominant effort all season. They will be a double-digit favorite on Saturday in Baton Rouge, have no chance of losing to Mississippi State or Chattanooga and will be a double-digit favorite in the Iron Bowl against Auburn. However, Auburn will think otherwise. Win that one and the Tide will be only a win in the SEC Championship Game away from the four.
Clemson: Those Tigers keep escaping. After back-to-back breath-takers against Auburn, Louisville, NC State and Florida State, Clemson now needs to take care of business against Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and South Carolina, then in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson now has the clearest path.
Michigan: The Wolverines still have to beat Ohio State to establish their spot. They are 8-0 with more blowouts than not and still need an impressive win on Nov. 26 at Ohio State to add to a win over Wisconsin.
Washington: Like Michigan, the Huskies were still looking to prove themselves. With Saturday’s win over Utah, Washington has wins over No. 17 and then-No. 7 Stanford. Stanford has since hurt that win, but Washington has a star in QB Jake Browning, and though it’s not the SEC, UW has beaten everyone in its path. Barring an unexpected slip, Washington’s path is as clear as Clemson’s.
Ohio State: Plenty of time to get in. Beat Nebraska on Saturday, Michigan on Nov. 26 and win the Big Ten. The SEC will still say Texas A&M would handle the Buckeyes, but that loss to Penn State will be in the rearview and Ohio State will replace Michigan as the Big Ten’s questionable Playoff team.
Louisville: The Cardinals still have a chance, but only if one of the above loses and they keep winning. Otherwise, there are no more chances to impress.
Texas A&M: Speaking of one-loss teams, Alabama was that one loss. The Aggies need to beat LSU and Ole Miss, while hoping someone loses a game or two.
Auburn: Can we talk about the Tigers again? Auburn has become a threat, and not only in the SEC. That defensive line looks capable of handling any offensive line in the country. The Tigers lead the SEC in rushing, and Sean White is doing what he needs to do at quarterback under new play caller Rhett Lashlee. Daniel Carlson may be the country’s best kicker, and Auburn may be the smoothest-operating team in the country. No one has stopped Kamryn Pettway (200 rushing yards per game over the last three). If AU wins out, it’s in.
