A 24-team playoff can't come soon enough for the Big 12. One week ago, it was reasonable to think the league could get as many as three teams in the 12-team College Football Playoff, with BYU, Utah and Texas Tech all sitting in the top 12. Turns out those seats were on a cliff. With BYU and Texas Tech losing Saturday, the Big 12's chances of getting multiple teams in the CFP were significantly damaged. Utah is the only undefeated team remaining following its narrow win against Houston, but the Utes still have to play BYU. The Big 12 champ is guaranteed a CFP spot, but will the selection committee take the runner-up if it has multiple losses? It's a question that can't be answered in a vacuum -- it depends on how the teams around them fare. Just like how the Big 12's results had a trickle-down effect on everyone else in the latest top 12 projection.
1. Miami Hurricanes (7-0) Why they could be here: Miami's convincing win against Pitt was another example of the Canes' consistency, as they have won all but one game by double digits. The only game this season that was remotely close was Oct. 17 against in-state rival Florida State, which was a 43-35 double overtime win. Miami has steadily ranked in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency, which is a common trait of past playoff teams. The Canes also have a Heisman candidate in receiver Malachi Toney and a quality ACC road win against Wake Forest.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) Why they could be here: The biggest reason is because the selection committee hasn't seen enough of Ohio State without injured starting quarterback Julian Sayin. The Buckeyes didn't move during their bye week because nobody did enough to unseat them, and Miami strengthened its grip on the top spot. Ohio State's two road wins against ranked Big Ten teams -- Oct. 3 at Iowa and Oct. 17 at Indiana -- are keeping the Buckeyes afloat, but it didn't help that Iowa lost to Minnesota on Saturday. More than that, though, is how well Ohio State's defense has played in the first half of the season, holding opponents to just 13.4 points per game.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing