There was a ton of action in the games this weekend that's helped us with seeing the big picture of which teams will comprise the four spots of the playoff. Here's my playoff projections after week 11's games:
8. Florida Gators
The Gators were able to take care of business, despite a late rally from South Carolina. Florida has been able to get the job done each week since their loss to LSU, though it hasn't been pretty. Their remaining opponents are Florida Atlantic this weekend followed by their regular season finale against Florida State during rivalry week. It's essential that the Gators don't lose either of these games, and more importantly, win the SEC Championship to earn themselves a playoff spot.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
"Big Game Bob" was in full effect in Waco on Saturday, and the Sooners were able to knock off Baylor in thrilling fashion. The Sooners will need to take care of business against Trevone Boykin and TCU this weekend, and if they're able to do that, will need to beat Oklahoma State to potentially earn themselves a spot. There's a kicker, however, for Oklahoma: they'll likely need a Notre Dame loss to surpass the Irish in the eyes of the committee. Notre Dame and Oklahoma shared a common opponent in Texas this season, and we all know how that resulted for Bob Stoops' team.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Oregon helped Notre Dame's case by defeating Stanford this weekend, and in my opinion, the Cardinal was the biggest threat to Notre Dame's chances to making the playoff as a one-loss team. The Irish will still need to get a big win against Stanford in the final week of the season, which is much easier said than done. For now, however, the Irish have the best chances of any one-loss team that's not Alabama to make it into one of the final four spots.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes
People keep sleeping on the Hawkeyes, and week-by-week they continue to remain undefeated. Iowa's final two regular season games are against Purdue at home and on the road against Nebraska, who's played the spoiler role once already this season. If they can take care of those two games, they'll have to defeat whoever they meet in the Big 10 Championship, which is an even taller task.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys are the most expendable of the four teams that I've projected to make the playoff this week. They face two stiff tests against Baylor and Oklahoma, with both games being at home. The Big 12 race has been a fun one to watch, and it looks like the last two weeks of the season will provide even more drama. If the season ended today, however, I'd have to put Oklahoma State among the top four teams.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes keep cruising, but these last two weeks will make or break their season. First, they'll have to handle a Michigan State team, whose hopes of making the ranks of the final four are all but vanished. There's still a chance, though, that if the Spartans were able to win their last two games that they could spoil the party for the Big 10. If Ohio State wins this weekend, they'll have to pass what could be their toughest test of the year against bitter rival Michigan, in the Big House. If they and Iowa win out the next two weeks, the Big 10 Championship will serve as a play-in game for the playoff.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama has been one of the most impressive teams in the FBS the last eight weeks. The Tide will face Charleston Southern as FCS tribute this weekend, finishing the season on the road against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. I have no doubts that Auburn will be primed to play spoiler for Alabama, but I just think the Tide's rushing attack and physical defense will prevail.
1. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers took Syracuse's best shot this weekend and were still able to pull out a double-digit victory. Clemson will play lowly Wake Forest this weekend, and if Tommy Bowden were still the coach, this game might be more interesting. The Tigers, under Dabo Swinney's tenure, have yet to lose to Wake Forest. After Wake, the Tigers travel to Columbia to play South Carolina before playing against North Carolina in the ACC Championship. If the Tigers can go 3-0 in this stretch, they'll be a lock for the top seed in the playoff.
These next three weeks will provide everything we need to know about "who's in" and "who's out" and will be nothing short of exciting. As always, thanks for reading. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @griffaldo.
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