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Who can still make the College Football Playoff heading into Championship Weekend?

By John Buhler

Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

College Football Playoff contenders

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. (11-1). Ohio State Buckeyes. 5. 812. Big Ten. player

Ohio State could get in as a one-loss, non-champion if USC loses twice to Utah

At this juncture, the Ohio State Buckeyes are pretty much the only team on the outside looking in with a real tangible shot of making the four-team field. Although they fell to pieces in the latter part of The Game at home to arch rival Michigan, the Buckeyes are still 11-1 with impressive victories over the likes of Notre Dame and Penn State. However, they only get in with a USC loss.

Should the Trojans fall to Utah for a second time this season, Ohio State would move up from No. 5 to No. 4 and into the College Football Playoff as a one-loss, at-large team. They would probably play Georgia in the national semifinals to avoid an immediate rematch for them vs. Michigan. In theory, Ohio State could move up to as high as No. 3, if we find ourselves in the midst of carnage.

Precedent has been set that a one-loss, non-champion Ohio State can make it into the playoff.

Pick Analysis. player. 808. Scouting Report. Pac-12. (11-1). USC Trojans. 4

If the Trojans avenge their lone loss on the year to Utah, then USC is getting in

It goes without saying, but USC is the lynchpin for what could be one of the cleanest College Football Playoff discussions of all time. If the Trojans avenge their lone loss of the season to Utah, this time on a neutral-site in Las Vegas, as opposed into the hostile road environment that is Salt Lake City, USC will make the playoff, no questions asked. This would be a historic season for them.

USC not only would make the College Football Playoff for the first time ever, but the Trojans would be the third Pac-12 team to ever make the dance and the first since Washington went back in 2016. All it takes is a one-point victory over rival Utah, and the Trojans are getting in. Conversely, a one-point defeat to the Utes will end the Trojans’ national title hopes in heartbreaking fashion…

Nobody else has the win-and-you’re-in mantra heading into Championship Weekend besides USC.

Now, let’s take a look at the teams who already have RSVP’ed yes for the College Football Playoff.

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