CFP Picture: Top 4 control destiny, Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee anxiously await rankings

ATHENS — There have been important developments within the School Soccer Playoff image with No. 1 Georgia probably clinching one of many prime 4 spots.

It’s much less sure, although nonetheless doable, (projected) No. 2 Michigan (12-0) and No. 3 TCU (12-0) may make the four-team CFP area with a loss of their respective convention championship video games.

At No. 4, USC (11-1) probably must win the Pac-12 Championship Sport towards Utah to be included in one of many CFP Semifinal Video games.

The CFP image turns into significantly extra blurry after that, with a contested race for the No. 5 place — an on-deck circle of types — ought to one of many prime groups lose.

Ohio State (11-1), Alabama (10-2) and Tennessee (10-2) will all be glued to watching the CFP Rankings Present at 7 p.m. (ESPN) on Tuesday to see how the 13-member committee has judged them.

Clemson (10-2) and LSU (9-3) have been primarily eradicated with their losses on Saturday.

Schedule: Large Ten Championship Sport vs. Purdue, 8 p.m. Saturday (FOX), Indianapolis

3. TCU (12-0)

The Horned Frogs took care of enterprise by leaping on Iowa State early and infrequently en path to the 62-14 win. TCU, like Michigan, will wish to take any selections out of the committee’s palms by successful the Large 12 Championship Sport.

Schedule: Large 12 Championship Sport vs. Kansas State, Midday Saturday (ABC), Arlington, TX

4. USC (11-1)

The Trojans acquired a powerful 38-27 house win over Notre Dame on Saturday evening and are firmly accountable for their very own future. Quarterback Caleb Williams additionally established himself because the clear front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

Schedule: Pac-12 Championship Sport vs. Utah, 8 p.m. Friday (FOX), Las Vegas

5. Alabama (10-2)

The Crimson Tide has come by the again door into the School Soccer Playoff earlier than, making — and successful — the 2017 CFP regardless of not taking part in within the SEC Championship Sport.

Alabama has three wins over Energy 5 groups with successful information (Texas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss), and their two losses got here on the ultimate performs of video games (Tennessee, LSU) by a mixed 4 factors.

No two-loss crew has made the CFP semifinals earlier than, however the “four-best” idea helps the Tide if they’re being measured towards a non-conference championship recreation winner, even when it solely has one loss, like Ohio State.

6. Ohio State (11-1)

The Buckeyes have wins over Penn State (44-31) and Notre Dame (21-10) amongst their 4 Energy 5 wins over opponents over .500, with Iowa (54-10) and Maryland (43-30) being the others.

The decisive method during which Ohio State misplaced to Michigan (45-23) — at house, outscored 28-3 within the second half — may finally be the back-breaker though it’s the Buckeye’s solely lack of the season.

7. Tennessee (10-2)

The Vols are being counted out in lots of the projections, however a better take a look at their resume suggests they need to be into consideration.

Tennessee may begin out making the case that it has a head-to-head win over Alabama — the “different” two-loss crew nonetheless being thought-about,

The Vols’ “stunning” loss at South Carolina (63-38) doesn’t look fairly as unhealthy after the Gamecocks (8-4) scored a Prime 10 highway win at Clemson.

Additionally value noting, the Vols have a highway win on the 9-3 LSU crew that beat Alabama this season, together with a highway win at 8-4 Pitt.

NFF-Tremendous 16 poll

(Mike Griffith)

1. Georgia 12-0

2. Michigan 12-0

3. TCU 12-0

4. USC 11-1

5. Ohio State 11-1

6. Alabama 10-2

7. Tennessee 10-2

8. Washington 10-2

9. Penn State 10-2

10. Clemson 10-2

11. Florida State 9-3

12. LSU 9-3

13. Kansas State 9-3

14. Oregon State 9-3

15. Oregon 9-3

16. Utah 9-3