2011 College Football Potential Playoff - Nov. 27

Click here to read last week's article.

I know this is me just living in a fantasy world, but this discussion is so much fun to have. Looking at the bracket after this week's action, no new teams have found their way into the dance. Only one team lost this week, but it was to the unstoppable Bayou Bengals. Here is what the top 16 look like today.

1. LSU (SEC leader)

Only one more hurtle to go for them to end up undefeated. Even if they lose that game, they could still end up #1 going into the postseason.

2. Alabama (At large #1)

Their regular season is over since LSU took their division. With that said, they are a lock in the playoff and can only move up from here. If LSU loses in the SEC Championship game, they could easily end up #1 in the land heading into the postseason.

3. Oklahoma St. (Big 12 leader)

They play Oklahoma in the Bedlum game next week. If they win, they wrap up the Big 12 championship and the #3 seed. If they lose, they fall to #7 or #8. Either way, they should be a lock in the playoff barring some unforeseen upsets in championship games.

4. Stanford (At large #2)

The highest ranked Pac-12 team cannot win their conference after their loss to Oregon. However, their season is over so they are in the same boat as Bama. They are a lock in the playoff and can only move up if Oklahoma St. loses.

5. Virginia Tech (ACC leader)

They always seem to be up in the discussion every year. However, they have yet to beat anyone with a top 25 rank as is shown by them staying put and Stanford jumping over them. They will have to if they want to clinch their spot in the playoff. They play Clemson in the ACC Championship who they lost to earlier in the year, but Clemson has undergone a monumental collapse the last month. Another loss to Clemson puts the Hokies in jeopardy of missing the playoff.

6. Houston (C-USA leader)

A big win this week against Tulsa bumped them up a couple spots in the rankings. They still have one more big game against Southern Miss. in the Conference USA Championship. A win could move them up even higher. A loss could easily knock them out of the playoff. This year's Cinderella story could lose its slipper before the ball.

7. Boise St. (At large #3)

In reality, if Boise St. makes that field goal against Nevada we could be talking about an LSU-Boise St. National Championship. In my little fantasy world, as long as they take care of business against New Mexico they will have a tough matchup on the Smurf Turf in the first round.

8. Arkansas (At large #4)

Honestly, they fell way too far after their loss to LSU. They have only lost two #1 and #2 so far this season. With that said, they are in the playoff as long as there aren't some upsets that force at large bids to go to the likes of LSU, Virginia Tech, and possibly Houston.

9. Oregon (Pac-12 leader)

As long as they beat UCLA at home in the championship game, which is extremely likely, they get the automatic bid as Pac-12 Champ. They lose, which is highly unlikely, they are out. Simple as that.

10. Oklahoma (At large #5)

They have to beat Oklahoma St. to stay in the bracket. A loss in Bedlum knocks them out.

11. Michigan St. (Big 10 leader)

Most people think they will lose in the Big 10 Championship to Wisconsin, but they are still the higher ranked team so they get the spot for now. Wisconsin slides in if they win. It really is a toss up though.

12. TCU (MWC leader)

Easy game against UNLV left to clinch the MWC title. A loss knocks them out and opens up another spot for someone else.

13. Northern Illinois (MAC leader)

Since conference play started, they have been on a roll. They now have to beat a sneaky Ohio team in the MAC Championship to wrap up their automatic bid.

14. Louisiana Tech (WAC Champ)

This spot is clinched for Louisiana Tech since their season is over.

15. Louisville (Big East leader)

I don't know what to do with this conference. Louisville has gotten hot lately and ended their season strong. With their season over, it is all up to everyone else if they get this spot. If Cincinnati loses, they are in no matter what West Virginia does as they hold the head-to-head tie breaker. If Cincinnati wins and West Virginia loses, Cincinnati gets the spot since they hold the tie breaker over Louisville. If both Cincinnati and West Virginia win, it is a three way tie which means the tie breaker goes to BCS standings which puts West Virginia in the playoff. It's a mess.

16. Arkansas St. (Sun Belt Champ)

They have one more game against Troy, but since they beat Western Kentucky they hold the tie breaker. That means Arkansas St. is in no matter what happens next week. They need a good showing to possibly get a better matchup in the first round.

Potential Bracket Busters

These are the only teams that have any shot of breaking up this top 16.

Kansas St. - They are currently in position as the 6th at large team. If Oklahoma loses and Kansas St. beats Iowa St., the Wildcats should be in.

Clemson - They have gone from potential National Championship contender to long shot for a chance in the postseason. However, they have beaten Virginia Tech before, and if they do it again they are back in the dance.

West Virginia - No one is in control of their own destiny in this conference, however they are the likely choice even though Louisville is the current leader.

Cincinnati - They need a a win and an upset of West Virginia to South Florida (which is unlikely, but in the Big East, who knows). It seems like a long shot though.

Wisconsin - A lot of people say they are the favorite to win the Big 10, but it will take a tough win against Michigan St.

Southern Miss - They have had some bad losses, but they are a tough team that could give Houston problems in the C-USA Championship. An upset puts them in.

Ohio - They have been playing really well and will give Northern Illinois a tough game in the MAC Championship. This game should be fun to watch to see who gets this spot.

UCLA - Technically they have a shot. Logically, they really don't. Beating Oregon at home is next to impossible. However, it has already been done by one LA team this year.

Georgia - No one has been able to beat LSU so far. The only way Georgia does is if LSU has a let down after a rough schedule and not really necessarily needing a win to be in the top 2.

First Round Matchups

#16 Arkansas St. at #1 LSU

Shouldn't be a problem for LSU considering everything else they have faced this year.

#9 Oregon at #8 Arkansas

Oregon has had trouble with SEC teams in the past because of their size. Will they have trouble in Arkansas?

#13 Northern Illinois at #4 Stanford

The Cardinal's defense should be able to slow Northern Illinois's offense. The Luck of the Cardinal.

#12 TCU at #5 Virginia Tech

The Hokies haven't played anybody. TCU is one of the toughest teams to beat in the nation. Always look at the 5/12 matchup for an upset.

#14 Louisiana Tech at #3 Oklahoma St.

This would most likely be a shootout as most games are with the Cowboys this year, but Oklahoma St. would most likely out-score them like they usually do.

#11 Michigan St. at #6 Houston

The rugged, physical, grind-it-out Spartans against the speedy, pass-happy Cougars. It could be an interesting clashing of styles.

#15 Louisville at #2 Alabama

Bama should roll Louisville like a lower level SEC team like Kentucky. You never know though.

#10 Oklahoma at #7 Boise St.

Why does it seem Boise St. always ends up playing a familiar foe from the past? Another classic would most likely ensue.

There it is. After next week we get to set the bracket for good and start filling it out. Wouldn't it be amazing to fill out a bracket for college football as well as college basketball. Holiday Madness!!!

College Football Playoff Potential - Nov. 22

Read last week's update here.

After another crazy week of college football, we once again had some crazy shakeups in the polls and shakeups in what could be the greatest postseason in all of sports if they let it be done right. Again, every conference champ gets an automatic bid with 5 at large bids determined by BCS standings which makes a 16 team playoff. Here are the teams that would make the playoff if the season ended today.

1. LSU (SEC leader)

After another solid SEC win at Ole Miss, LSU once again faces another big time opponent next week with Arkansas coming into Baton Rouge. They need to dodge yet another bullet to just get to the SEC Championship game and have a shot at this automatic bid.

2. Alabama (At Large #1)

Bama backed their way back into the runner-up spot and could back into the SEC Championship or even the #1 spot in the polls if LSU slips up this week. Just don't lose like you tried to do against Georgia Southern.

3. Arkansas (At Large #2)

The LSU-Arkansas game would be an example of a game that would lose some weight under this system because both teams have pretty much wrapped up a spot in the bracket where this week they will be fighting for a chance to play in the National Championship. However, Arkansas loses this game in a playoff system and they have a tough matchup in the first round instead of a lower level conference champ like the top 3 would have.

4. Oklahoma St. (Big 12 leader)

After an embarrassing loss to Iowa St. they should have dropped further. However, due to some other big losses they not only drop just 2 spots but hold onto the lead in the Big 12. They have to bounce back in a hurry for Bedlum against Oklahoma or else they will be facing a potential road game in the first round only a couple weeks after being #2 in all the land.

5. Virginia Tech (ACC leader)

As long as they keep winning, they will be a force in the playoff. However, they have a rivalry game next against a surging Virginia and then a conference championship against Clemson, who gave them their one loss. So "just keep winning" will be a challenge.

6. Stanford (At Large #3)

This happens twice right now in the polls: a team gets an at large spot that has a higher overall rank than their conference leader. Stanford could end up in the top 4 once it's all said and done. Watch out for Notre Dame though. Luck against the Irish.

7. Boise St. (At Large #4)

Boise found their way back into the bracket after some losses last week. As long as they keep winning, they will end up bringing a tough opponent to the Smurf Turf in the opening round and become a dark horse to take it all.

8. Houston (C-USA leader)

They just keep winning. Last week they were on the road playing a winnable game, and now they would be hosting a home game. Before it's all said and done, they could (and should) end up even higher. The ultimate wild card is a team that has won every game they have played and everyone overlooks.

9. Oklahoma (At Large #5)

The last at large goes to Oklahoma, but with a loss in the Bedlum game knocks them out of the playoff picture after a costly loss to Baylor. A win against OK St. not only moves them up, but would clinch them the conference.

10. Oregon (Pac-12 leader)

The biggest challenge Oregon has left is the Civil War against Oregon St. which is never an easy game. However, even with the loss to USC they can win out and take the conference with more losses overall than Stanford.

11. Michigan St. (Big 10 leader)

The brutal war for control in the Big 10 currently has Michigan St. coming out on top, but it could easily be Penn St. or Wisconsin if they win the championship game, or even Michigan if Sparty slips up against Northwestern. Just ask Husker fans, it can happen.

12. TCU (MWC leader)

One more win and they wrap up this spot thanks to the Boise St. win. With that game being against UNLV, it looks likely they will be a fighting for some upsets in the bracket.

13. Northern Illinois (MAC leader)

This team just keeps winning and looking good doing it. However, a slip up in the MAC Championship against Ohio knocks them out. These conference championships in the smaller conferences can become like Championship Week in March Madness. Win and you're in. Lose and you're out. No matter who you are.

14. Louisiana Tech (WAC leader)

Tech played their way into this spot by beating Nevada last week. With a win against New Mexico St. they clinch it.

15. Arkansas St. (Sun Belt leader)

Undefeated in conference puts them in the field with only two overall losses to two strong big conference teams. They won't be a complete cake walk. The Sun Belt champ is always a scary team to face in the bowls.

16. Louisville (Big East leader)

With a loss by Cincinnati, the top of the forever depleted Big East barely has a .500 record. They have to beat South Florida still which will not be easy. This spot will most likely end up going to a team like Rutgers if (or when) Louisville slips up again.

Teams on the outside looking in

Kansas St. - Loss from Oklahoma against OK St. puts them in.

Georgia - Major upset in the SEC Championship mixes everything up and thrusts the Bulldogs into the automatic bid in the SEC and takes an at large bid away from someone like Boise St. Thinking about this scenario in the reality that is the BCS, what if Georgia beats LSU/Bama/Arkansas in the SEC Championship game? Georgia goes to the Sugar Bowl automatically and due to the rule that only one at large bid can come from each conference you will most likely not be allowed to have a 1/2 National Championship. For instance, let's say Arkansas beats LSU this week. That would most likely put Bama at 1, Arkansas at 2, and LSU at 3. Now let's say Bama loses to Georgia in the SEC Championship. That puts Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Arkansas becomes #1, LSU goes to #2, and Bama drops to #3 or lower. Arkansas would be in the National Championship, but LSU as the #2 team in the nation would not be allowed to because there would already be 2 SEC teams in the BCS. If Bama doesn't fall any further than #3 after losing to Georgia, you would be forced to have Arkansas play the #4 team in the country in Oklahoma St./Virginia Tech/Stanford. Talk about chaos! Even if LSU beats Arkansas, as long as Georgia wins the SEC Championship game it is impossible in the current system for two SEC teams to play in the National Championship. I don't know about you, but I'll be rooting for the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game so the BCS would have to be questioned by everyone.

Michigan - A big rivalry win against Ohio St. might put them in position to take a spot if someone slips up.

Wisconsin - The likely champ in the Leaders division of the Big 10 can hop into the dance with a payback win in the rematch against Sparty in the first Big 10 Championship game.

Clemson - They have looked terrible the last month, but a win against Virginia Tech (who they already beat once this year) in the ACC Championship puts them back in no matter what they do this week against South Carolina.

Teams Dropping Out of the Dance

Clemson

Cincinnati - A bad loss to Rutgers dropped them down in the standings of one of the weakest conferences in all college football. They probably won't recover, especially after losing their QB.

Nevada - After losing to Louisiana Tech, they have to pray for an upset to get back into consideration.

First Round Matchups

Here is what the first round would look like if it were to start this weekend.

#16 Louisville at #1 LSU

LSU would show everyone once again how good they are and how bad the Big East is.

#9 Oklahoma at #8 Houston

Houston has worked its way up to a home game, but playing Oklahoma could be a tough matchup. They had a better chance of winning last week as a 10 seed. Winner gets LSU in the next round which would eliminate either team.

#13 Northern Illinois at #4 Oklahoma St.

You have to think the Iowa St. game will not happen again for the Cowboys. However, Northern Illinois can sneak up on you in a similar way to what the Cyclones did. Nothing is a guaranteed win for Oklahoma St. right now.

#12 TCU at #5 Virginia Tech

The Hokies look strong, but they haven't really played anybody either. On paper Virginia Tech should win this game, but Boise St. was supposed to beat TCU too. The Horned Frogs are a good enough team to repeat the upset too. Just like March Madness, watch out for the 5/12 matchup.

#14 Louisiana Tech at #3 Arkansas

The Razorbacks should roll in this game as they continue to improve week after week, but never underestimate a team with nothing to lose and everything to win like Louisiana Tech who is always a tough win.

#11 Michigan St. at #6 Stanford

What an interesting matchup! These are two teams that are very physical and don't necessarily play a flashy style of football. I could see this game being a 17-16 or 13-12 final score with the defenses out there with either team coming out on top. Either one of these teams would give Arkansas problems in the next round too.

#15 Arkansas St. at #2 Alabama

Bama should roll fairly easily over Arkansas St., however like I said the Sun Belt is always a tough win.

#10 Oregon at #7 Boise St.

These two teams always seem to be drawn toward each other. The Broncos have the physical presence on defense to give the Ducks trouble, and they would be back on the Smurf Turf after not even being in the bracket last week. This is becoming a classic rivalry.

So there is the latest update. Stay tuned for what next week brings us as the majority of regular seasons end in college football.