Expansion of the College Football Playoff is arguably the greatest competitive change in the sport’s history — more significant than the move from the Bowl Championship Series to the four-team CFP a decade ago. Each week, the Hotline will dive into the 12-team CFP race with a look at the frontrunners, bubble teams and key developments across the landscape.
October is upon us, and every team in the Power Four is alive in the College Football Playoff race thanks to the expanded, 12-team event.
Well, not everyone. Florida State is toast. And a few others, as well.
But the vast majority of teams in the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC have a path, however narrow it might be, into the CFP.
That was the goal, after all.
The move from the four-team invitational to the 12-team tournament, complete with automatic bids for conference champs and at-large spots of the next-best teams, increased access by an order of magnitude.
More teams with pathways means more games with significance throughout October and November.
For example: Texas Tech’s visit to Arizona this weekend.
Under the four-team model, the Red Raiders’ blowout loss at Washington State and the Wildcats’ meek showing at Kansas State would have effectively ended their CFP chances before the close of September.
But with the Big 12 champ guaranteed a berth and both teams undefeated in conference play, the stakes are significant for the visitor and the host alike.
In fact, the losing team will remain alive in the CFP race despite having two defeats overall before the midpoint of October. Win the conference and you’re in.
The impact of playoff expansion on the sport is too great to quantify. Also, it’s everywhere you look.
To the projections …
Automatic bids
The five highest-ranked conference champions will receive automatic bids to the CFP, with the top four earning opening-round byes. The best team from the Group of Five will be seeded according to its ranking.
No. 1 Texas (SEC). This could be Alabama, Georgia or even Tennessee. Look for the SEC champ to receive the top seed unless it has one loss and Ohio State is undefeated.
No. 2 Ohio State (Big Ten). The middle third of the season is the toughest stretch for the Buckeyes, who play Iowa and Nebraska at home and Oregon and Penn State on the road.
No. 3 Miami (ACC). We thought about pegging Clemson as the ACC champ after the Hurricanes’ great escape against Virginia Tech. Either way, the conference winner will receive the No. 3 or 4 seed.
No. 4 Utah (Big 12). Our faith in the Utes remains strong despite the loss to Arizona — as long as Cam Rising returns after the bye week.
No. 12 Boise State (Group of Five). The Broncos took a significant step toward the CFP bid with their impressive victory over Washington State.
At-large qualifiers
The seven highest-ranked non-champions will receive at-large bids. There is no limit to the number of at-large teams from a particular conference.
ACC: Clemson. Two things, equally true: The Tigers have improved since the Week 1 blowout loss to Georgia; and their remaining schedule …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
