With the first College Football Playoff rankings being revealed this week, the playoff picture and each team’s potential path to the playoff is becoming clearer. Multiple results in the SEC and all across the country have had a big effect on certain teams’ chances of being one of the twelve schools in the dance. Here is who I think are the biggest winners and losers when it comes to making the College Football Playoff after Week 11.
Winner: Alabama
The Crimson Tide knocked off LSU 42-13 in an elimination game on Saturday night on the road in Death Valley. Alabama’s defense forced three turnovers and held LSU to only 13 points. While Jalen Milroe did not have a great game passing, he had no turnovers and rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Alabama now finds itself as one of five SEC teams with two losses in conference play but now has tiebreakers over Georgia and LSU. It may still take a couple breaks for the Crimson Tide to make the conference title game, they have put themselves in good position to make the playoff.
Loser: Georgia
Georgia had a very clear path and was pretty much a lock to make the College Football Playoff until their loss 28-10 at Ole Miss on Saturday. Carson Beck did not throw a touchdown but threw his 9th interception in the last four games. The Bulldogs also lost two fumbles, resulting in them losing the turnover battle 3-1, and were outgained 397-245 in total yards. This loss makes next week’s game against Tennessee a must-win for Georgia. Even with a win, the Bulldogs are going to need a lot of help to make the SEC title game now that both Alabama and Ole Miss have the head-to-head tiebreaker over them.
Winner: Colorado
If the season ended today, Colorado would find themselves in the Big 12 title game following their big road win 47-22 over Texas Tech. The duo of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter showed out once again, with Sanders throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns, and Hunter had 99 yards and a touchdown receiving. After going 4-8 a year ago, the Buffaloes have a very realistic shot to make the College Football Playoff in year two of the Deion Sanders era. The Buffaloes last three games are against Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State, all top Big 12 teams coming into the year, but now games that Colorado should be favored in.
Loser: Miami
The Hurricanes have had a couple of close calls this season when it came to their undefeated record, but Saturday, they finally suffered their first loss, falling 28-23 to Georgia Tech on the road. The Hurricanes could not get the big pickups they needed in multiple spots as they went 3/10 on third down conversions and 1/4 on fourth down conversions. A strip sack on Cam Ward on Miami’s final drive was the only turnover of the game, also costing the Hurricanes. It is looking more likely that the only ACC team to make the playoff will be the conference champion, meaning Miami will have to run the table and win the rest of their games following this loss.
Winner: Indiana
The Hoosiers have won ten games in a season for the first time following their 20-15 win over the defending champions Michigan. Kurtis Rourke led the way for the Hoosiers, passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan came back from down 17-3 to make it a 17-15 game, but Indiana’s defense stopped the two-point conversion attempt and forced a three-and-out and turnover on downs in the following two drives. First-year coach Curt Cignetti has taken Indiana to heights the program has never been before, and finds themselves in a good spot to make the College Football Playoff, and should be a lock to make it in if they can beat Ohio State in two weeks.
Loser: Iowa State
After being a top ten team two weeks ago, Iowa State now finds themselves likely unranked following a 45-36 loss to Kansas. The Cyclones’ defense could not stop the Jayhawks, as Kansas had 532 yards of total offense led by quarterback Jalon Daniels throwing for 295 yards and a touchdown, as well as rushing for another score. This second straight conference loss has also knocked Iowa State out of the Big 12 title game for the time being. They will need to win out, as well as needing Colorado to suffer another loss.