We expanded the four-team College Football Playoff to 12 teams, at least in part due to repeating the same old teams in the postseason.

The five remaining undefeated FBS teams have combined for just one playoff appearance in the last 10 years. Oregon (9-0) reached the CFP in 2014 – and it will almost certainly hold the top spot in the first rankings on Tuesday.

Indiana (9-0) is the other undefeated team in the Big Ten. Miami (9-0) is still perfect in the ACC. BYU (8-0) is the only undefeated team in the Big 12. Army (8-0) is the last undefeated team in Group 5. Did we extend the playoffs so the usual suspects can still participate?

We’ll see how the committee views these undefeated teams. Keep an eye on these indicators.

How many one-loss SEC teams will be ranked ahead of Miami?

Texas and Georgia have struggled in the fourth quarter the past two weeks, but they have escaped. The Hurricanes were penalized after beating Virginia Tech and Cal and haven’t faced a ranked team all season. Will Miami overtake Texas and Georgia? We don’t think so, but watch if the committee slips a third SEC team like Tennessee ahead of the Hurricanes. This will provide clues as to how the committee views the ACC race. Georgia beat Clemson 34-3 in week one. This will come against the entire conference and could mean a conference bid.

What will the ranking disparity be with BYU?

The Big 12 champion will receive an automatic bid, and that No. 4 seed will be scrutinized by fans of Texas, Ohio State and any other team named as the first-round playoff host. This will be amplified by the fact that Iowa State and Kansas State lost to unranked opponents in Week 10. Don’t be surprised if BYU is around No. 10, and that could also mean a bid for this conference.

Will Indiana or Notre Dame be ranked higher?

“What year is it?” It’s another “Jumanji” moment in the process. The Irish lost to Northern Illinois. The Hoosiers have a win against a team with a winning record in Nebraska, and it’s the classic “change uniforms then file ’em” moment for the committee. We have both teams now, but if one loses it comes into play.

Every week, Sporting News breaks down the 12-team College Football Playoff, featuring first-round byes, first-round matchups and bubble teams. Here’s what it looks like heading into Week 11:

Moved in: Indiana, Alabama

Abandoned : Clemson, Texas A&M

Predicted exclusions in the first round of the College Football Playoff

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No. 1 Oregon (9-0, Big Ten champion)

The Ducks dominated the Wolverines 38-17 and Dan Lanning continues to enjoy the Big Ten experience. Oregon led 28-10 at halftime against Michigan and scored four touchdowns on five possessions in the first half. Dillon Gabriel (22 of 34, 294 yards, TD) was in command for the Big House, and Traeshon Holden (6-149) had a breakout game after Tez Johnson left with an injury. shoulder. The Ducks have made a clear case that they should be No. 1 in the first set of rankings. The defense had seven tackles for loss and held Michigan to 105 rushing yards on 3.8 yards per carry. Oregon has outscored its last three opponents 111-26 and returns home against Maryland in Week 11 before a road trip to Wisconsin.

No. 2 Georgia (7-1, SEC champion)

The Bulldogs struggled to put Florida away in a 34-20 victory that was much closer than it appeared. Carson Beck (25 of 40, 309 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INT) struggled with turnovers and Trevor Etienne left with a rib injury. Beck hit Dominic Lovett for the go-ahead TD with 4:07 left, and the Bulldogs have yet another road test at Ole Miss in Week 11. Georgia will still be the top-ranked SEC team on the basis of the 30-15 victory against Texas on October 19, but the gap is not as large as in recent years.

No. 3 Miami (9-0, ACC champion)

Miami broke a one-score game open with three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 53-31 win over Duke that pushed the Hurricanes one step closer to the ACC championship game. Cam Ward (25 of 41, 400 yards, 5 TDs, INT) had his third 400-yard game of the season, and the defense held Duke to 80 yards rushing and forced four turnovers. A road trip to Georgia Tech – which miraculously beat the Hurricanes 23-20 last season – is a chance at redemption for Mario Cristobal.

No. 4 BYU (8-0, Big 12 champion)

The Cougars are the only Big 12 team in the field. BYU has scored 34 or more points in all but one game this season – the 18-15 win over SMU. BYU has a turnover rate of plus 7, and the biggest jump on the November schedule is Week 11 at Utah. BYU hasn’t won at Utah since 2006.

Projected College Football Playoff First Round Matchups

A look at the Sporting News projected games in the first round of the College Football Playoff ahead of Week 11 of the college football season:

No. 12 Boise State (7-1, Mountain West champion) at No. 5 Ohio State (7-1, Big Ten overall)

The Buckeyes are now the higher team after a 20-13 win at Penn State. Ohio State silenced its critics with 176 rushing yards and a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. Cody Simon played with 10 tackles and a sack. Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen (24 of 32, 307 yards, 4 TD) had his first 300-yard game of the season, which allowed Ashton Jeanty (31-149, 2 TD) to run wild in a 56-24 victory over San Diego State. The Broncos would be big underdogs at The Shoe in this scenario, but we’d love to see Jeanty against this elite Ohio State defense.

BENDER: Clutch Ohio State’s victory shakes up the image of the Big Ten

No. 11 Alabama (6-2, SEC overall) at No. 6 Texas (7-1, SEC overall)

Texas and Alabama don’t meet in the regular season, so we’re putting them here instead. Former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is 1-1 against the Crimson Tide with Texas, and Kalen DeBoer would also be judged on this game. Alabama is the highest-ranked two-loss team, and it will be interesting to see how many one-loss teams Alabama is ahead of in the first set of CFP rankings. The Crimson Tide will travel to LSU – the second-best two-loss team – in Week 11. This is a huge game for Kalen DeBoer.

No. 10 Notre Dame (7-1, independent) at No. 7 Penn State (7-1, Big Ten overall)

The Irish are still our pick for the final loose spot, and they have a friendly schedule for the final month of the season. Notre Dame’s defense allows just 12.2 points per game. Penn State is after a 20-13 loss to Ohio Stateand James Franklin lost another top-five showdown. A first-round home game isn’t out of the question if the Nittany Lions lead the standings with their Big Ten schedule remaining.

MORE: James Franklin met a fan after his loss

No. 9 Indiana (9-0, Big Ten overall) at No. 8 Tennessee (7-1, SEC overall)

Indiana beat Michigan State 47-10 for the first 9-0 start in school history. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke (19 of 29, 263 yards, 4 TDs) successfully returned from a thumb injury, and Indiana erased an early 10-point deficit. The Hoosiers took advantage of two turnovers and sparked the blowout. The Hoosiers would be on the road against Tennessee, who trailed Kentucky in the second half before turning two turnovers into touchdowns. The coaching match between Curt Cignetti and Josh Heupel would be amazing in a quick match.

Projected Bubble Teams for the College Football Playoff

SMU (8-1, ACC)

Put the Mustangs ahead of Alabama if you want. That would mean the ACC would get two bids, and the Mustangs are in that position now after Clemson’s 33-21 loss to Louisville. SMU had a four TD lead at halftime during a 48-25 blowout of Pitt. This is SMU’s second win against a ranked team, and Kevin Jennings (17 of 25, 306 yards, 2 TDs) has bounced back after struggling against Duke. The Mustangs’ final three games will be against Boston College, Virginia and Cal. SMU is in position to make the ACC championship game in year one.

Texas A&M (7-2, SEC)

The Aggies lost 44-20 at South Carolina – their first SEC loss. Texas A&M lost leader Le’Veon Moss to a leg injury, and new starting quarterback Marcel Reed (18 of 28, 206 yards, TD, INT) had a rough night against the Gamecocks. The Aggies’ short yardage issues have been highlighted, and it’s a setback for first-year coach Mike Elko. Texas A&M faces New Mexico State and Auburn before the regular season finale against Texas.

LSU (6-2, SEC)

Brian Kelly is 1-1 against Alabama since arriving at LSU, and that included a dramatic 32-31 win over the Crimson Tide on November 5, 2022. Kelly needs this one too, and he doesn’t It’s not just about maintaining the 17-1 home record since arriving in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers were a top-10 contender with a wide-open runway to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game just two weeks ago. A defeat here puts them out of the hunt.

Ole Miss (7-2, SEC)

The rebels are not dead yet. Ole Miss had no trouble with Arkansas in a 63-31 road victory that suddenly put Lane Kiffin on the playoff fringe. Jaxson Dart (25 of 31, 515 yards, 6 TDs) added a team-high 47 rushing yards in a stellar performance. Tre Harris missed the game with a lower body injury. Will he be back for the Georgia game?