College Football Playoff Prediction: CBS Sports updated CFP projection during ACC, Big Ten Championships

Three Power Five conference championships have been decided and the College Football Playoff is beginning to take shape. We now sit back and watch the ACC and Big Ten Championship, waiting on results before truly knowing who will be the final four teams.

With those two games underway, CBS Sports decided to give a quick status check on eight teams with CFP hopes. Some will be more confident than others, with a couple seeing their chances ending in the last 24 hours.

Chaos is universally loved in college football and there could be some. But with the Big 12, SEC, and Pac-12 champions being decided, here are where the contenders currently stand.

Georgia – “On thin ice”

By losing the SEC Championship game, Georgia has put themselves in a tough scenario. There is no simple path for the program to win a third consecutive national championship.

People in Athens are going to need some upsets in the primetime slate to have a real chance. After being ranked No. 1 heading into the week, the Bulldogs will be nervous on Sunday afternoon.

Michigan – Win Big Ten Championship and in

At the time of posting, Michigan is in the first quarter of the Big Ten Championship. Currently holding a 12-0 record, the task is simple — beat Iowa and the College Football Playoff will be there.

Jim Harbaugh is back on the sidelines following his three-game suspension. There will be extra motivation on the Michigan sideline in Indianapolis.

Washington – “Playoff berth clinched”

Washington sealed their spot in the top four by taking down Oregon for a second time in the Pac-12 Championship game. An impressive performance from the Huskies, with not too many people giving them a chance in Las Vegas.

Never has an undefeated Power Five conference champion been left out. Washington is safe and will play in either the Rose Bowl or the Sugar Bowl.

Florida State – Win ACC Championship and in

Florida State is rocking with Brock Glenn tonight, being down to their third-string quarterback. A tough Louisville team is ahead of him but to CBS Sports, there will be no debate.

If Mike Norvell’s team gets a win, CBS believes the Seminoles are in. People in Tuscaloosa and maybe even Austin are hoping Louisville can pull off the upset and have them sleep easy.

Oregon – “Eliminated”

Oregon wanted the season to end differently. You could see how gut-wrenching of a loss it was for the Ducks, with emotions showing on the face of quarterback Bo Nix.

Unfortunately, there is not much Oregon can do at this point. Their College Football Playoff dreams are over and Sunday will be about which New Year’s Six game they play in.

Ohio State – “Eliminated”

CBS pointed out that Ohio State was in a similar position last year — having one loss on the resume and watching conference championship weekend from home. This one is a bit different, though.

With the two teams ranked below them winning their respective games on Saturday, the Buckeyes will inevitably be jumped. Like Oregon, it’s all about the New Year’s Six for Ryan Day at this point.

Texas – “Firmly in contention”

Texas has been ranked No. 7 by the CFP committee since the initial rankings. They have stayed ahead of Alabama throughout the entire process, likely being key to the Longhorns being one of the final four teams.

“Head-to-head is head-to-head, no matter when the game is played,” committee chair Boo Corrigan said on Tuesday. A quote Texas will be holding on to for dear life leading into the announcement.

Alabama – “Alive and well”

Alabama was going to be out with a loss to Georgia on Saturday. Nick Saban has now thrown potential chaos into the equation but CBS is not fully buying into the Crimson Tide getting in.

In their opinion, one of Florida State or Michigan will need to lose. Jumping from No. 8 in the final weekend into the top four would be historic but if anyone can do it, it’s Saban.

College football fans across the country now have dual screens running, with games underway in Charlotte and Indianapolis. While the four sets on fanbases will have the biggest rooting interests, emotions will be running high for others.