The 12-team College Football Playoff has thrown up a lot of uncertainties and surprises, not least that now only four unbeaten teams remain. Among the upsets, Missouri’s win over Oklahoma, has catapulted them into contention, making them one of seven SEC teams that could finish the season with a 10-2 record. Yet, despite this victory, the likelihood of Missouri securing a playoff position is estimated at just 0.3 percent, thanks to stiff competition from other SEC teams like Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Meanwhile, it was a narrow miss for Miami who, despite their strong start to the season, seem to be losing their grip on a playoff spot after a loss to Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes have been heavily reliant on quarterback Cam Ward’s ability to pull them out of tight games, but Georgia Tech proved too big a challenge. Now, Miami’s only hope of entering the playoffs is by securing the ACC Championship Game, a prospect that is looking increasingly unlikely.
Elsewhere, the BYU Cougars were narrowly spared a defeat by rivals Utah after a holding penalty cancelled out a potentially decisive sack in the final minutes. The controversy sparked by this unexpected turn of events caused Utah’s athletic director, Mark Harlan, to express his disgust at the officiating crew’s perceived lack of professionalism. Yet, despite the drama, BYU remains ahead in the Big 12, while Indiana continues to impress with its perfect 10-0 record.
Kansas, despite their disappointing start to the season, provided a shock by defeating Iowa State and effectively eliminating them from the playoff race. With games still to be played against BYU and Colorado, Kansas can continue to play spoiler and potentially impact the final lineup for the playoffs. However, BYU’s position is precarious and they face tough matches against Arizona State and Houston, both capable of securing wins.
Indiana’s hard-fought victory over Michigan demonstrated that even the game’s best teams can be pushed to the limit. This allowed Indiana to maintain its unbeaten run, with a 10-0 record for the first time. Nevertheless, the looming game against Ohio State and a relatively weak strength of schedule could pose problems for the Hoosiers’ playoff prospects.
In conclusion, the expanded College Football Playoff has created a highly unpredictable and exciting season. With only four unbeaten teams remaining and the prospects for several others hanging in the balance, the lead up to the playoffs will be a whirlwind of potential upsets and tense competition.
