For teams not playing in the conference championship games, this is the last chance to make a lasting impression on the College Football Playoff selection committee.
For some applicants such as Ole MissTheir regular season resume is already in place, and what happens on Tuesday night at No. 5 in the rankings should be a strong indicator of their final spot on Selection Day. Others such as MiamiThey are counting on hope and help – and, most importantly, on another victory. It all started with the Egg Bowl on Friday, a game that not only kept Ole Miss in the playoffs but technically in the SEC race.
Yes, it's far from over, so check back here after each game to see how the results will impact the playoffs as the day progresses.
Texas 27, Texas A&M 17
Rivalry Week delivered its first top-four shakeup with a No. 16 finish. Texas beat #3 Texas A&M – but perhaps in the fifth rating this is not so unpleasant. The Aggies will likely fall to the four to six range. Georgia. The Bulldogs have had better wins, including a 35-10 rout over… Texas. Georgia also has a better defeat (10th place). Alabama) and has now earned a spot in the SEC title game. The question is how far Texas A&M will fall since joining the No. 5 seed. Texas TechNo. 6 Oregon and No. 7 Ole Miss as a one-loss club. The Aggies entered the weekend with a commanding lead over Texas Tech in both record (23-56) and schedule (1-10). It's entirely possible that the committee would give up just one spot to the Aggies, swapping them with Georgia, meaning they would still be able to earn a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed. However, there will be significant debate over whether the Aggies, Texas Tech or Oregon (the latter of which has impressed the committee lately by ranking in the top five in offensive and defensive efficiency) deserve the highest seed. The problem for the Aggies is that they will have to finish in the top four as a team because they were just eliminated from the SEC title game.
While Texas has arguably the best win in the country, it likely won't be enough to propel them into the top 10 as a three-loss team. Even with some setbacks over Texas, it's unlikely the Longhorns will rise higher than 12th.
Indiana 56, Purdue 3
Indiana clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship game by defeating opponent Purduelocking in a CFP bid and increasing your chances of making it past the first round on Election Day. The Hoosiers, who were the committee's No. 2 team in each of the first four rankings, still have a chance to take the No. 1 spot in Tuesday's rankings if Ohio loses Michigan. If Ohio State loses and Oregon wins, Indiana will face Oregon in the Big Ten title game. If Michigan wins and Oregon loses, the Hoosiers will face Michigan for the conference title.
The question is whether IU can maintain a top-four finish and stay in the first round as the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten. If Indiana loses the title game, the committee will look at the ranking of its opponent and how close the game was. The Hoosiers could also be compared to other top one-loss teams, but playing a ranked opponent in the conference championship game—win or lose—would boost IU's all-time strength by committee.
Georgia 16, Georgia Tech 9
Georgia should maintain its place as the committee's top one-loss team after beating its opponent. Georgia Tech. Georgia's Oct. 18 victory over Ole Miss, as well as its triumph at Tennessee and the Texas beating impressed the committee. The Bulldogs' consistency on offense and defense also pleased the committee. Georgia's first-round bye will only be in question if it finishes with two SEC runner-up losses.
Barring an unusual combination of ACC results, No. 23 Georgia Tech would be eliminated from the playoffs with a 9-3 record. The only way the Yellow Jackets can extend their playoff hopes is through the ACC Championship Game. They entered the weekend with a 1.5% chance of success, according to ESPN Analytics.
Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 19
Thanks to the victory over the opponent Mississippi Ole Miss likely secured a playoff berth Friday and remains in a strong position to host a first-round home game. If Alabama loses Auburn Ole Miss will earn a berth in the SEC championship game on Saturday. But even if that doesn't happen, the one-loss Rebels should still be a CFP lock.
As for the uncertainty still hanging over coach Lane Kiffin, if Ole Miss turns to an interim head coach in the playoffs, that could be something the selection committee could consider. The CFP minutes say the panel will consider “other important factors, such as the absence of key players and coaches, that may have impacted the team's performance during the season or are likely to impact its postseason performance.” Ole Miss won't miss the playoffs because Kiffin left for another job, but he could lose a spot or two if the committee feels the team won't be the same without him.
Utah 31, Kansas 21
No. 13 Utah highlighted his resume with a win over 5-7 Kansasbut it remains unlikely that it will make the playoffs without multiple losses to the teams above it – especially after being surpassed by Miami at No. 12 in the latest CFP rankings. Even after winning, Utah still needs Texas Tech to lose to get to the Big 12 Championship Game, and to BYU And Arizona to win. The Utes' best hope of making the CFP remains at wide receiver.
It is not unthinkable to receive this bet if a combination of teams with two defeats above them loses. If OklahomaAlabama and Miami are losing, and it will be difficult for either of them to stay in the top 12 as three-loss teams. Utah will need to lose at least two of them to crack the top 10, which is exactly where it needs to be to actually make the cut. The No. 11 and No. 12 teams will be eliminated from this year's seeding process to make room for the fourth and fifth-ranked conference champions.
