Ohio State is still projected to be the Big Ten champion in YSL News Sports’ latest College Football Playoff predictions, despite their close 32-31 defeat to Oregon on Saturday.

The thrilling match between Ohio State and Oregon indicates that these teams might face each other again in December to determine the conference champion. Considering the close nature of the game held at Autzen Stadium, Ohio State would likely be favored in a neutral venue like Indianapolis.

Oregon continues to be a strong contender for an at-large playoff spot. Alongside Ohio State and Oregon, the Big Ten is projected to send another team to the playoff, with Penn State positioned to earn an at-large bid, even if they lose to the Buckeyes next month, as they do not face any ranked opponents thereafter.

Alabama is absent from this week’s playoff projections. The Crimson Tide have experienced a tumultuous month, narrowly beating Georgia, losing to Vanderbilt, and having a challenging 27-25 win against South Carolina. Given their recent performances, the Tide seem uncertain and could face more losses moving forward.

Projected College Football Playoff Bracket

The SEC landscape is chaotic. Though the overall quality is high—Texas is ranked No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and seven teams are in the Top 25—the competitiveness of the league is causing problems for many teams.

Alabama’s struggles are part of a broader trend, with Tennessee falling to Arkansas, Missouri losing to Texas A&M, and Mississippi facing two losses within three games.

This situation is prompting a reevaluation of the criteria for at-large playoff bids. The winner of the SEC is likely to earn the top seed in the playoffs, while the second-place team is expected to secure an at-large berth.

Previously, it was believed that a team needed ten wins to guarantee a playoff spot in the Power Four conferences. Currently, it seems unlikely that four or more SEC teams will achieve this milestone during the regular season. If that’s the case, the playoff selection committee may have to consider factors beyond just win-loss records when determining which teams are worthy of competing for the national title.

Teams to Keep an Eye On

Texas A&M

The Aggies have bounced back with five consecutive victories after their opening loss to Notre Dame, including three in the SEC against Florida, Arkansas, and Missouri. If they can triumph over LSU on October 26, Texas A&M could end up 10-1 before their emotional rivalry game with Texas, which will be significant regardless of playoff implications.

Iowa

Iowa has already suffered two losses to Iowa State and Ohio State, leaving them no margin for error. However, their remaining schedule is manageable, with games against Michigan State, Northwestern, UCLA, and Maryland, plus a home game against Nebraska. Reaching ten wins is feasible, but they will need quality victories along the way.

Texas Tech

Despite a shaky start, narrowly edging out Abilene Christian and then facing a heavy defeat against Washington State, Texas Tech has turned things around with a four-game winning streak against North Texas, Arizona State, Cincinnati, and Arizona. Their most crucial game ahead comes against Iowa State in early November.

UNLV

Oregon’s continued success is beneficial for Boise State, which narrowly lost to the Ducks 37-34 in a non-conference game. Additionally, UNLV’s upcoming game against Oregon on October 25 could propel them back into a leading position among Group of Five teams if they secure a victory. Remarkably, even without quarterback Matt Sluka, UNLV’s offensive capabilities have improved.