The 13 schools that still have a legit shot to make the College Football Playoff

Seven playoff contenders lost on Saturday, and five of those teams — Penn State, Wisconsin, Miami, Colorado, and Washington — were effectively eliminated from playoff contention. Meanwhile, Notre Dame and Michigan were the big winners when the music stopped.

We have learned a few things over the years about how the committee picks the final four, and we have some idea of what teams need to do to make the playoff. Below, we ranked the 13 teams that still have a legit shot at making it.

On the outside, looking in, for now: Iowa, Oregon, and Kentucky.

These three teams all have one loss to good teams and are still alive to win their respective conferences. Kentucky and Oregon even have some decent wins on their résumés, but all three are lacking enough buzz or consistently impressive play to have a legit shot at the playoff — though that could change.

13. West Virginia

Record (AP rank): 5-1 (13)

Last week's result: Lost to Iowa State, 30-14

Last week's playoff rank: 9

Key games remaining: After a game against Baylor, WVU's final four games are TCU and Oklahoma at home and Oklahoma State and Texas on the road.

One thing to know: It was tempting to take WVU off the list after its loss to Iowa State. But if it can somehow run the table, including the Big 12 title game, it would be 11-1 with some impressive wins and a conference championship. That will probably be good enough.

12. NC State

Record (AP rank): 5-0 (16)

Last week's result: Did not play

Last week's playoff rank: 17

Key games remaining: NC State has Clemson on the road this week, following that up with Syracuse on the road, FSU at home, and games on the road against Louisville and UNC.

One thing to know: For NC State, it all comes down to the game at Clemson this weekend. If the Wolfpack win, people will take them seriously. If they lose, they are out of the picture.

11. UCF

Record (AP rank): 6-0 (10)

Last week's result: Beat Memphis, 31-30

Last week's playoff rank: 13

Key games remaining: UCF has Cincinnati and USF the final two weeks of the season.

One thing to know: Even though UCF survived Memphis and is still undefeated, it most likely hurt its chances at the playoff. This team is just not as good as the 2017 team, and the committee is not going to put it in on some sort of two-year achievement waiver. It still needs a lot of help in front of them.

10. Florida

Record (AP rank): 6-1 (11)

Last week's result: Beat Vanderbilt, 37-27

Last week's playoff rank: 14

Key games remaining: Florida's only ranked remaining opponent is Georgia at a neutral site. It doesn't have to go on the road to face Florida State.

One thing to know: Nothing about Florida screams "playoff contender," and yet here it is, 6-1, and one win away from taking command of the SEC East. Of course, Florida still has to find a way to beat Georgia, and if it does that, it would need to beat Alabama. Seems like a long shot, but there is a path to the playoff.

9. Oklahoma

Record (AP rank): 5-1 (9)

Last week's result: Did not play

Last week's playoff rank: 11

Key games remaining: Oklahoma has TCU (this week), Texas Tech and West Virginia on the road, and Oklahoma State at home.

One thing to know: OU is in the same boat as Texas and West Virginia. Win out, win the Big 12 title game, and that would probably be enough. But it can't afford another loss or a close call to a second-tier team like Oklahoma State or Texas Tech. People will be looking for excuses to keep the Big 12 out, so the Sooners can't give them any.

8. Texas

Record (AP rank): 6-1 (7)

Last week's result: Beat Baylor, 23-17

Last week's playoff rank: 10

Key games remaining: A home game against West Virginia and road games against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

One thing to know: Texas is in the same boat as Florida. Occasionally it appears to be on the brink of being great — like with wins over TCU and OU — but most of the time Texas looks downright mediocre, like this past weekend's close call with Baylor.

7. LSU

Record (AP rank): 6-1 (5)

Last week's result: Beat Georgia, 36-16

Last week's playoff rank: 16

Key games remaining: It still has to play Alabama and Mississippi State at home, and Texas A&M on the road.

One thing to know: Another huge hurdle down, a couple more to go. The path to the playoff is daunting but pretty simple: LSU can't lose another game. The SEC will have a hard enough time getting a second team into the playoff if Notre Dame is undefeated, and the depth of the conference suggests there will be other options if LSU is not in the SEC title game.

6. Georgia

Record (AP rank): 6-1 (8)

Last week's result: Lost to LSU, 36-16

Last week's playoff rank: 2

Key games remaining: Georgia is in the middle of a four-game stretch against ranked opponents. It started with LSU but still has Florida, Kentucky, and Auburn. Only the Auburn game is at home.

One thing to know: Yes, LSU just beat Georgia, but this is not about who the best teams are — this is about who has the best chance to make the playoff, and Georgia still has the easier path in the SEC East.

5. Michigan

Record (AP rank): 6-1 (6)

Last week's result: Beat Wisconsin, 38-13

Last week's playoff rank: 9

Key games remaining: Michigan is in the middle of a three-game stretch that started with Wisconsin, but it still has Michigan State and Penn State. Of course, those are just appetizers for the showdown with Ohio State on the road.

One thing to know: Michigan was one of the biggest winners from chaos weekend, as it now controls its playoff destiny. The Big Ten rep in the playoff is likely to come down to the winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game.

4. Notre Dame

Record (AP rank): 7-0 (4)

Last week's result: Beat Pitt, 19-14

Last week's playoff rank: 4

Key games remaining: Notre Dame's final four games are Northwestern on the road, FSU and Syracuse at home, and then USC in California.

One thing to know: Notre Dame was the other big winner this week. If the season ended today, it would be in. The committee is not keeping out an undefeated team with wins over Michigan and Stanford.

3. Ohio State

Record (AP rank): 7-0 (2)

Last week's result: Beat Minnesota, 30-14

Last week's playoff rank: 3

Key games remaining: Michigan State on the road and Michigan at home.

One thing to know: In theory, Ohio State could still make the playoff if it lost a game and somebody like Iowa won the Big Ten championship. But that's asking a lot. It would be easier if the Buckeyes just beat the Wolverines and won the title themselves.

2. Clemson

Record (AP rank): 6-0 (3)

Last week's result: Did not play

Last week's playoff rank: 5

Key games remaining: Clemson's next two games are NC State at home and FSU on the road.

One thing to know: A week ago, it was starting to look as if Clemson was in danger of missing the playoff. But after losses by Georgia and Miami, its path has never looked easier. The Georgia loss hurts the SEC's chances of getting two teams in, and the Miami loss probably makes the ACC title game an easier matchup for Clemson and thus gives it a better chance of staying undefeated.

1. Alabama

Record (AP rank): 7-0 (1)

Last week's result: Beat Missouri, 39-10

Last week's playoff rank: 1

Key games remaining: 'Bama has three games remaining against teams in the top 25: Auburn and Mississippi State at home, and LSU on the road.

One thing to know: Tua Tagovailoa was shaken up against Missouri. If he misses any action, that might be the only way anybody beats Alabama this season.

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The 13 schools that still have a legit shot to make the College Football Playoff

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