College Football Playoff Picture

After the last three weeks the college football playoff landscape, Championship Week is finally here. Ohio State, Oregon and Oklahoma all took bad losses that have essentially eliminated them from the college football playoffs while Notre Dame and Oklahoma State have quietly played themselves into the mix. Here we go:

The University of Georgia sits at 12-0, and absolutely ran through the SEC, making them the clear-cut best team in the country at this point The Dawgs beat multiple ranked teams on their romp through the SEC and haven't played a close game since their 10-3 victory over Clemson in Week One. Georgia faces Alabama in the SEC championship on Saturday, December 4. Regardless of the outcome, the Dawgs are making the college football playoffs.

For the first time in a long time, the University of Michigan is really good. The Wolverines go into the Big 10 championship at 11-1, with their only loss coming against their rival Michigan State. The Wolverine defense has been characteristically stout and they've held every opponent under 30 points with the exception of Michigan State. Michigan has Iowa left on their schedule in the Big 10 championship. With a win on Saturday, they'll undoubtedly punch their tickets into the college football playoffs, likely as the second seed.

The University of Alabama has a very intriguing situation. They've already lost, but they've been ranked in the top four since the rankings have started to release. Additionally, Bama has Georgia in the SEC championship on Saturday. If Bama beats Georgia, not only do they make the playoffs, they potentially jump to #1. However, if Bama loses to Georgia, they'll likely drop to four or five. There's a chance Bama loses and still makes the playoffs. For now, Bama should be ranked third with their only hiccup coming against Texas A&M earlier in the season. Bamas' best and most definite bet is to beat Georgia, and they'll be in the big dance.

Cincy absolutely has to be ranked #4. The Bearcats have an unblemished record and had a solid win over #6 Notre Dame. Cincy only has #16 Houston left on their schedules and if they win they should be in at four.

If one of the top four teams lose, with the exception of Georgia, that leaves the door open for Oklahoma State (if they win the Big 12 championship). However, Notre Dame looms as a real threat to crash the playoffs even though they don't play this week—their only loss has been to Cincinnati, so they could swoop in to poach a spot if Alabama, Michigan or Cincy lose.