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The five highest-ranked conference champions (*) will automatically earn a CFP berth, and the four highest-ranked of that group will be placed in the quarterfinals. While this quartet is assumed to be from the Power 4 (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC), that’s not guaranteed.
No. 1: Oregon*, Big Ten champion in Rose Bowl
No. 2 Texas*, SEC champion in Sugar Bowl
No. 3: Miami*, ACC champion in Peach Bowl
No. 4: Boise State*, MWC champion in Fiesta Bowl
No. 12 SMU at No. 5 Ohio State (winner to Fiesta Bowl)
No. 11 Indiana at No. 6 Notre Dame (winner to Peach Bowl)
No. 10 Tennessee at No. 7 Penn State (winner to Sugar Bowl)
No. 9 Arizona State* (Big 12 champion) at No. 8 Georgia (winner to Rose Bowl)
For years, I’ve stuck to one philosophy: I am fine if the CFP expands, but don’t pretend like there is a perfect solution. We argue whether the 68 teams in the NCAA tournament all deserve it; do you think we’re not going to debate the difference between 11, 12, 13 and 14 in football? Given the number of three-loss SEC teams now on the fringe of the rankings, get ready for disagreement.
Teams to Watch: Indiana, Miami and SMU
My belief is any 11-1 power-conference team should be locked into the Playoff. Want to talk about Indiana’s light schedule? Blame the Big Ten, not the Hoosiers. Not sold on Miami and SMU making the CFP after the ACC Championship Game? Maybe your favorite SEC team shouldn’t lose to multiple unranked foes. Seeing conference title games—a non-guaranteed, earned achievement—morph into a season-defining penalty would be disgraceful.
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