It's the third straight week with a different No. 1 team atop the AP poll, the first time in 14 years that has happened. It's also the third straight week with a different No. 1 team leading our CFP projection, moving from Texas to Georgia to Miami. At the midpoint of the season, there is no clear-cut favorite, which makes for an interesting pack of teams on the bubble with one and two losses.
Miami has the best chance to reach the CFP right now at 94.8%, according to ESPN Analytics. The Canes are No. 5 in ESPN's strength of record metric but moved to the No. 1 spot in the latest projection because they are loaded with talent, rank No. 2 in game control and are statistically dominant. Miami has the No. 1 scoring offense in the country at 48.5 points per game and No. 7 scoring defense at 14 PPG. Winning the ACC would lock up a bid, but a two-loss runner-up finish might not impress the selection committee.
Wake Forest is the enigma. The Deacs have four road wins against Power 4 opponents, boosting their strength of record ranking to No. 11, ahead of Alabama, Utah and Notre Dame. Their only loss is a 33-20 defeat to Miami, and they have won four straight games since then. Wake Forest and Miami are on a collision course in the ACC championship game, with the Deacs having a 59.6% chance to get there.
In the Big 12, BYU ranks No. 1 in ESPN's strength of record metric after its win against Notre Dame. The undefeated Cougars needed a statement win to legitimize their place in the playoff race, and that win provided it.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing