There is still a long way to go in the college football season before the College Football Playoff field is revealed, but we continue to get a better idea of who are the contenders and who are the pretenders. South Carolina seems to be trending toward the pretender category after an embarrassing home loss to Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M might be a contender after beating Notre Dame on the road. Let’s take a look at our updated Week 4 College Football Playoff predictions.
1. Oregon
We have a new team atop our College Football Playoff predictions this week. So far, Oregon has been the most impressive team in college football. The Ducks will get bigger tests soon, but until then, they are our pick to win the Big Ten and take the top seed in the CFP for the second year in a row.
2. LSU
LSU is our current pick to win the SEC. The Week 1 win against Clemson hasn’t aged well, but this team still has a lot of talent and has looked good through three weeks.
3. Ohio State
Ohio State could very well end up being the Big Ten winner, and even if the Buckeyes come up short in the conference, they can still earn a bye in the College Football Playoff. No matter what happens, it’s hard to imagine Ohio State not being one of the top teams in the country when the season comes to an end.
4. Miami
USF’s miracle start to the season finally came to a close on Saturday as Miami dismantled the Bulls. It was another strong victory for the Hurricanes, and they are in a great spot in the ACC with Clemson struggling. However, Florida State does appear to be a threat in the conference.
5. Penn State
The first team hosting a CFP game is Penn State. The Nittany Lions are one of the best teams in the Big Ten, but Oregon and Ohio State have looked better so far this year. Penn State will take on Oregon in a couple of weeks, and that will be a huge game for the conference race.
6. Georgia
Georgia picked up a huge win on the road against Tennessee over the weekend. However, the Bulldogs needed some luck. Tennessee was in golden position to win the game at the end, but a penalty created a longer field goal try, and the Volunteers missed it. That led to an OT win for Georgia. Both of those teams are very good.
7. Oklahoma
Oklahoma is in the projected CFP field for now, but the schedule is incredibly difficult going forward. Up next is No. 22 Auburn at home, and that is one of the easiest games remaining. That says a lot about how challenging this schedule is.
8. Florida State
Florida State was on a bye last week, and the beginning of this season has been impressive. With how weak the ACC is, the Seminoles should be in good shape for the whole season.
9. Illinois
No one could imagine Illinois being in College Football Playoff conversations just a few years ago, but the Fighting Illini are legit. They have a huge game this weekend against Indiana, and it will have a big impact on the Big Ten and CFP race.
10. Texas A&M
Texas A&M picked up one of the biggest wins of the weekend. The Aggies went on the road and took down Notre Dame, and now they are in our Week 4 College Football Playoff predictions. Huge win for Mike Elko and Texas A&M.
11. Iowa State
Iowa State is still our projected Big 12 winner, but Texas Tech and Utah both look very good as well. Those two teams will battle it out this weekend. The race for the Big 12 is going to be an exciting one all year long.
12. USF
USF fell on the road against Miami, but the Bulls still have two very impressive wins. They are our final CFP team, and the Group of Five representative. The schedule is going to cool off for USF now after an intense first three weeks.
