Ohio State is idle during conference championship weekend but lurking, hoping multiple contenders slip.
In 2014, TCU was idle during conference championship weekend and was infamously over taken by Ohio State. Last year the Buckeyes sat at home after losing to Michigan — again — but snuck into the playoff after USC lost in the Pac-12 championship game.
In the 10th year of the playoff, this may be the deepest field and there’s potential for chaos. It starts Friday when Oregon looks to avenge its lone loss against unbeaten Washington for the Pac-12 title and a likely playoff bid. Unbeaten Georgia looks to slam the door on Alabama’s playoff hopes in the SEC championship game. Florida State hopes to ride backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker to ACC championship game win over Louisville and secure its spot in the postseason.
Riding high after beating their rivals, Michigan would likely clinch a playoff berth with a win against a stingy Iowa defense in the Big Ten championship. And Texas, whose win over Alabama in Week 2 still resonates, can further solidify its case for a playoff bid with a win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game.
No matter the results, the committee will have difficult decisions to make with so many competitive teams.
Your Final Results
Of course, it’s the committee who will decide which teams feel vindicated and which will inevitably call foul, but this is what Playoff Predictor says the top five could look like if you chose correctly.
Chances it happens
How likely is it you picked all games correctly? Here’s Playoff Predictor’s take.
Correct Picks
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Edited by Chris Grandstaff
Produced by ESPN Creative Studio: Dominique DeMoe, Heather Donahue, Jarret Gabel and Rachel Weiss.
Data managed by ESPN Analytics: Matt Morris, Lauren Poe and Mitchell Wesson.