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College Football Playoff Ranking Prediction


Who will be in the top 10 of the first College Football Playoff ranking?

Tomorrow at 7 pm eastern, the first College Football Playoff Rankings will be on ESPN. Who will be the first four of the first Playoff rankings? If there is something we've learned about any variation of the Playoff Committee, it is they can be unpredictable. That said, unless you are Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, or Alabama, teams in the initial rankings don't usually make it to the last one.


Ahead of the initial rankings tomorrow, here is a prediction of how things might shake out tomorrow:


  1. Georgia: The Bulldogs are not only the defending champions; they are the best team in college football this season. The resume argument could work, but Georgia is undefeated and has done nothing to fall in the first CFP ranking.

  2. Tennessee: The Vols have wins over five teams that were ranked at the time they played (Pitt is no longer ranked). Tennessee has an opportunity to make a statement against the #1 Bulldogs this weekend.

  3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes struggled against Penn State last week until they realized they have a far superior roster. Don't expect Ohio State to get challenged until they play Michigan.

  4. Michigan: Speaking of those Wolverines, they've perfected the boa constrictor. Michigan's defense is the real deal. However, they could get tested against #3 Ohio State.

  5. Clemson: The Tigers have proven to be the class of the ACC. They've bested the most challenging part of their schedule with wins against Wake Forest, Florida State, and North Carolina State. Clemson likely won't have a tough game again unless they play #17 North Carolina in the ACC title game.

  6. TCU: The Horned Frogs are a team that might not be one of the best four teams when it's all said and done, but they could be most deserving if they find a way to run the table in the Big 12. Quarterback Max Duggan has proven he can put the team on his back when need be.

  7. Alabama: The Crimson Tide are not out of the hunt just yet. They still play Mississippi and LSU, both teams they are tied with in the SEC West standings. If they win the West and the conference, they are in.

  8. Oregon: Mathematically, the Ducks are still in the Playoff hunt. However, the committee dislikes blowout losses on a team's resume. Remember 2018 Ohio State? The committee took them over one of Oklahoma's worst defenses in college football history.

  9. UCLA: The Bruins rebounded nicely after their loss to the #8 Oregon Ducks. The Bruins are an intriguing team because of their non-conference schedule. How would the committee look at a one-loss Pac-12 champion with a one-point win against South Alabama?

  10. USC: Much like Alabama, the Trojans have everything right in front of them. They still play UCLA but need #8 Oregon to defeat #12 Utah since the Utes have the tiebreaker. The Trojans would either play #10 UCLA again or Oregon for the Pac-12 title.


Next Up: #14 Illinois: Head coach Bret Bielema has the Illini playing well in year two. Isaiah Williams, who was recruited as a quarterback, has found himself as a wide receiver. If Illinois can upset Michigan and finish strong in the West, they have a chance, and that's all you want.


#17 North Carolina: The Tar Heels have an outside shot at the Playoff but need loads of help. Drake Maye is the quarterback they thought Sam Howell would be and what Kentucky wishes Will Levis was. They've come a long way from giving up 40 points to Appalachian State early in the year.


Highest ranked Group of Five Team:

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