When the College Football Playoff rankings were released this week, there were 19 ranked teams with one or two losses. The thought that with an expanded field to 12 teams, two losses would get you in. That won’t be true for everyone, and with three losses you can forget about it.
So if you are one of those two-loss teams that still has hopes for the playoffs, now is the time to be impressive.
No. 2 Georgia (-2.5) at No. 16 Mississippi
If Oregon slips up, Georgia could still move into the No. 1 seed. But they have a loss, and this game at Mississippi is going to be tough. Neither team can afford to lose. For Georgia, anything less than an SEC title costs them a first-round bye. For Ole Miss, a third loss would definitely knock them out of the playoffs. A win over Georgia, however, and they would become one of the most desirable two-loss teams.
No. 11 Alabama (-3) at No. 14 LSU
Alabama and LSU are fighting for the CFP lives. The loser drops out, and the winner gets a top 25 win to put on their resume.
LSU was rolling until a loss to Texas A&M their last time out, and they must win out to make the playoff. Alabama has its win over Georgia as its best showing of the season, and last week, they stomped on the ranked Missouri Tigers. But with losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, they can’t lose another.
Nevada at No. 12 Boise St. (-24)
Boise State has only one loss, but they have to stay that way if they want to be in the 12-team CFP field. There are a lot of two-loss teams from bigger conferences right behind them, hoping to steal away the 12th ranking. Any misstep by the Broncos, and their postseason dreams are over.
Boise State is a big favorite this week against Nevada, and they should be favorites in the three games after that.
No. 19 Clemson (-6.5) at Virginia Tech
Clemson likely would have been in the College Football Playoff top 12 had they taken care of business last week against Louisville. Instead, they lost at home by 12 points, ending their six-game winning streak and losing their place among the elites.
It’s not impossible for the Tigers to make it to the ACC Championship Game, which would then open them up for an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff. But it’s not likely. Both SMU and Miami are unbeaten and ahead of Clemson in the standings, and in almost every possible scenario – three-way tie or head-to-head ties with either team – Clemson comes up short.
In the meantime, the Tigers simply need to keep winning, and then hope for a collapse by someone else.
No. 21 Colorado (-4.5) at Texas Tech
Colorado is No. 21 in the AP poll, and No. 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings. So right now, they are on the outside looking in. But a win this week against Texas Tech and a win next week home against Utah, and the path to the playoffs opens up.
CU needs to win out, and if Iowa State drops another game – they still play Utah and Kansas State – the Buffaloes would be in the Big 12 Championship against unbeaten BYU.
Texas Tech did just win at Iowa State, so a CU win over the Red Raiders is not guaranteed.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
