Each week teams will be fighting for position in an effort to make the College Football Playoff. The teams will be ranked each week, but what matters most is who they have played and defeated already on the field. Here is College Football Playoff Preseason Bracketology: October 20.
Note: This will be updated following each week of games during the season
First Round Byes
1. Oregon Ducks (7-0)
Oregon didn’t have a letdown against Purdue on Friday night and shut them out. The win over Ohio State and their undefeated record puts them in the top spot and it looks like they can hang onto it for a while.
This week: vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1)
2. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
Georgia had a dominant first half against Texas on the road and then hung on in the second half to notch a big road win. Their loss to Alabama looks worse, but this win puts them back on track to win the SEC, even if they aren’t at the top of the standings right now.
This week: BYE
3. Miami Hurricanes (7-0)
The Hurricanes didn’t play great defense against Louisville, but their offense outscored the Cardinals. Miami continues to have close calls, but they also win all of those games. Clemson is on their heels in the ACC, but they take the automatic spot for now with their undefeated record.
This week: vs. Florida State Seminoles (1-6)
4. BYU Cougars (7-0)
BYU won a close one against Oklahoma State on Friday night. They look like they can keep things up and possibly win a wide open Big 12. Their best wins are over Kansas State and SMU, who are both ranked.
This week: at UCF Knights (3-4)
First Round Hosts
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1)
Ohio State was off this week after losing to Oregon last week. The Buckeyes don’t have the best wins yet this season, but the only loss is by a point to the top team in the country right now.
This week: vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2)
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0)
Penn State had a bye in week 8. Their biggest win is over Illinois, who is now 6-1. The Nittany Lions will play Ohio State in a few weeks, which will really give the rankings clarity one way or another.
This week: at Wisconsin Badgers (5-2)
7. Texas Longhorns (6-1)
Texas suffered their first loss of the season to Georgia at home. They looked lost in the first half and really need the offensive line to play better than they did. The Longhorns beat two ranked teams earlier this season in Michigan and Oklahoma, but those teams are now struggling.
This week: at Vanderbilt Commodores (5-2)
8. Tennessee Volunteers (6-1)
Tennessee’s defense limited Alabama and they were able to get a big win. The win puts them back in the CFP picture after they had been struggling in recent weeks.
This week: BYE
Last Four In
9. Iowa State Cyclones (7-0)
The Cyclones had a close call against UCF, but they were able to win the game late to stay undefeated. Their best win is over Iowa, which now looks a bit worse, but the Cyclones staying undefeated keeps them right in the thick of CFP talk.
This week: BYE
10. Indiana Hoosiers (7-0)
Indiana destroyed Nebraska, putting up 56 points. They are still undefeated and are passing the eye test, even if they don’t have a big win yet this season.
This week: vs. Washington Huskies (4-3)
11. Clemson Tigers (6-1)
Beating Virginia kept Cemson undefeated in ACC play. They still have a loss to Georgia, but it looks like they will be in the CFP picture, whether as an ACC Champion or as an at-large team.
This week: BYE
12. Boise State Broncos (5-1)
Boise State was off this week, which gave them more time to prepare for a big matchup against UNLV in their next game. The Broncos still have just one loss to Oregon so far this season.
This week: at UNLV Rebels (6-1)
First Four Out- At Large
LSU Tigers (6-1)
LSU stays right on the bubble for the CFP after defeating Arkansas 34-10 in week 8. Their loss to USC is becoming more questionable as time goes on, but they have a chance to bolster their case this week.
This week: at Texas A&M Aggies (6-1)
Kansas State Wildcats (6-1)
Kansas State walked right over West Virginia this week to move to 6-1. Their only loss is to BYU, while they have some wins over some preseason favorites in the Big 12, even if those teams haven’t lived up to the expectations.
This week: vs. Kansas Jayhawks (2-5)
Pittsburgh Panthers (6-0)
Pittsburgh was off this week and are in the CFP talks because of their undefeated record. They need better wins or to stay undefeated for as long as possible to stay within range of the top 12.
This week: vs. Syracuse Orange (5-1)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
Their loss to NIU is going to follow them the rest of the year, but Notre Dame is now 6-1 with some nice wins, specifically with one over Texas A&M, who hasn’t lost since. In week 8 they won by 18 over Georgia Tech.
This week: vs. Navy Midshipmen (6-0) (Game in New Jersey)
First Four Out- Group of Five
UNLV Rebels (6-1)
UNLV defeated Oregon State this weekend to help them stay in contention for the fifth-automatic qualifying spot in the CFP. They have two power four wins and one loss so far, but now they have to focus on winning the MWC to get a shot.
This week: vs. Boise State Broncos (5-1)
Navy Midshipmen (6-0)
Navy blew out another opponent in week 8, as they put up 51 points on Charlotte. They are undefeated with a big win over Memphis. The Midshipmen can really prove themselves in week 9.
This week: vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
Army Black Knights (7-0)
Army stayed undefeated this week by defeating East Carolina. They are also blowing teams out this season and are putting them in contention for the group of five spot in the CFP.
This week: BYE
Liberty Flames (5-0)
Liberty won another close one against FIU this week. They are hanging on to their undefeated record and chances of making the CFP.
This week: at Kennesaw State Owls (0-6)
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