ESPN releases fourth College Football Playoff rankings prediction

ESPN released its fourth College Football Playoff predictions after Week 12 of action and things are getting mighty interesting.

There are plenty of scenarios at play here, but there are a few teams who have much clearer paths to the final four. If you like chaos, you might might get it during rivalry week.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s latest College Football Playoff predictions, via Heather Dinich.

1. Georgia

This should be no surprise right now considering how dominant the Bulldogs are at this point. After blowing out Tennessee, Georgia reassured the country that it’s the No. 1 team in America.

The path is simple, keep winning. If the Bulldogs are 12-0 but lose to Alabama, which would get to 12-1 after an SEC title, does Georgia stay in? There’s certainly a chance and an argument to keep the two-time champs in the final four. Tough to keep them out.

2. Ohio State

Ohio State should stay ahead of Michigan at No. 2 this week, per ESPN. It was a dominant win for the Buckeyes, beating Minnesota this time. Plus, the strength of schedule argument is still in favor of Ohio State with wins over Penn State and Notre Dame.

But everything is on the line next weekend. A win and Ohio State is that much closer to returning to the playoff. A loss, well, that could be the end of the national title hopes this year barring something unforeseen across the rankings.

3. Michigan

Nothing changes here for Michigan after its closer than anticipated win over Maryland. The Wolverines are 11-0 and have everything in front of them. Beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten.

That’s what it was ultimately going to come down to, right? However, Michigan will have to do it without Jim Harbaugh for one more week. The bright side? It’s in Ann Arbor.

4. Florida State

ESPN’s predictions have Florida State staying within the bracket, but the Seminoles are going to have to hold on for dear life. The loss of Jordan Travis can not be understated after his gruesome looking leg injury.

While the team will rally behind what looks like Tate Rodemaker, the Seminoles have to be careful the next two weeks against Florida and Louisville, the latter being the ACC title game.

5. Washington

The Washington Huskies are filled with studs across the team and earned a hard-fought victory at Oregon State. It could conceivably bump them above Florida State, due to the win quality, but ESPN’s predictions have Washington on the outside looking in this week.

Michael Penix Jr. was clutch and he’ll have to be the rest of the way. It’s weird because Washington might drop pretty far if the team loses before the Pac-12 Championship. The Huskies might have to finish unbeaten to get in.

6. Oregon

The Oregon Ducks should be the top one-loss team when it comes to the College Football Playoff rankings going into rivalry week. The Ducks have been dominant and you should not want to play them right now.

Bo Nix had a Heisman worthy game against Arizona State. But now, Oregon has to take care of business against Oregon State and then defeat Washington in a rematch in the Pac-12 title game. That might just be enough to get into the playoff.

7. Texas

The one good thing going for Texas is that the Longhorns have the head-to-head win over Alabama. That’s why Steve Sarkisian and company should stay ahead of that team in Tuscaloosa.

Finishing 12-1 as Big 12 champions should punch Texas’ ticket to the playoff, or at least, give the team a good chance. That’s really the only way. More than likely, Texas will need some help, but perhaps not much.

8. Alabama

The Crimson Tide keep rolling on through the schedule. Yes, it was Chattanooga, but Alabama dominated its way to a 10-1 record Saturday. What’s next? The Iron Bowl.

Obviously if the Crimson Tide lose, they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. A win next week and then a win over Georgia in the SEC Championship gives this squad a great argument. It’d be hard to not put them in the final four at that rate.

It should be noted Louisville is now 10-1 with one game against Kentucky remaining. The Cardinals will take on Florida State in the ACC Championship. If Jeff Brohm and company are 12-1 with a conference title, there should be consideration for the playoff in some scenarios. They’re just on the outside looking in for now.

ESPN’s rankings stretched to the top eight, as far as predictions. But these are pretty much the eight teams that have the best chance at making the playoff.