Big Ten, ACC, and PAC-12 could possibly be shut out of the CFP in 2021


Can Georgia run the table?

First four: Georgia, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Alabama


,,, would prefer to be without the Tide, but … 


The departure of Iowa from the Top 10 after being pummeled by twice-beaten Purdue, was not unusual, but the reality is that if the top four who are there right now stay there, it could eliminate three conferences from the College Football Playoffs. 


Right now, Georgia is number 1 and Cincinnati number 2 in the AP poll. Oklahoma is third and Alabama fourth. The reality is that this could be the final four, though many things have to happen. 


First, Alabama will have to defeat Georgia in the SEC title game, assuming that both continue to win. Cincinnati and Oklahoma will have to win out for this to happen. That is never easy.


However, if that does happen, that would mean that no Big Ten team would make the final — again. Second, no ACC or Pac-12 team would make it either. They both would need miracles to get a team into the CFP.


However, even if someone in that top four were to lose, could the Big Ten find its way into the mix? Well, Michigan is still undefeated, but Ohio State and Penn State both have one loss. However, Michigan will probably lose to the Buckeyes and possibly to Penn State. The Nittany Lions are in trouble because they have lost their starting QB, Sean Clifford. 


Without Clifford, the Lions do not have a chance at upsetting the Buckeyes in their lair. Could Michigan defeat OSU, PSU, and Michigan State and go undefeated? Possibly, and that would be interesting. 


However, I doubt it. Still, it is possible. 


Nevertheless, the road for the Big Ten is tenuous since no one is really dominant. They play incestuous schedules without anyone really playing a tough foe outside of the conference. 


As for the ACC, or the Big 1 as I used to call them when Clemson had its run, they have no one in the Top 15, with Wake Forest 16th despite being undefeated. That tells a little about how far some tough teams that have won national titles like Miami, Florida State, and Clemson have fallen. 


At this stage in October, it is all conjecture, but it is still fun to ruminate about these things. 




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