NCAA Football Playoff 2014: Latest Predictions After Week 3 Standings

With just under a month of college football action already in the books, it's time to take a look at which four teams look worthy of featuring the the NCAA's inaugural college football playoff at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Florida State got the week off, but one less playoff audition at this point in the season doesn't preclude them from the playoff conversation.

Let's take a look at the four teams that appear to be playoff bound after three weeks of college football.

NCAA Playoff Predictions

Florida State

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Florida State is here by virtue of their 18 straight wins and status as defending national champions. It's hard to see this talented squad continuing to underwhelm and missing out on a shot at another title.

In order to make good on their talent and reputation, they will need to use Week 3 as a rare early-season opportunity to get players healthy.

According to ESPN.com's Jared Shanker, Seminoles defensive tackles Eddie Goldman, Nile Lawrence-Stample and Justin Shanks all suffered lower leg injuries in the first half of the team's win over The Citadel.

"When you play these kinds of teams, they're constantly cutting those knees and ankles," Fisher said, via Shanker.

A depleted front line could put Florida State's repeat title hopes in jeopardy, especially with a game against No. 23-ranked Clemson coming up on Sept. 20. It's a tough contest, but it's one the Seminoles should win. There is no reason as of yet to doubt this team's ability to reach the College Football Playoff.

Alabama

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No. 3 Alabama once again features a dominant rushing attack and superb defense in 2014. What makes this year so special is the talent overflowing in the Alabama backfield.

The three-headed hydra of T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake and Derrick Henry look set to punish front sevens for the remainder of the college season. Head coach Nick Saban really can't lose with his cadre of halfbacks. Should one player get injured, he will still have a dynamic duo to rely on.

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Even freshman Tyren Jones has done well when thrown into the mix. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry and scored a touchdown against Southern Miss. ESPN producer Phil Savage came up with a historic comparison for all the running talent on display:

It often seems that all fifth-year senior quarterback Blake Sims has to do is avoid mistakes and get out of the way. (Note: Sims is also great at running the football. This team can't lose in the rushing department.) This isn't a glamorous recipe for success, but it won't matter to 'Bama fans if it gets the Tide into the playoffs.

It's a tough road ahead for the Crimson Tide, with four current top-25 ranked teams on the slate in the coming weeks. If they can navigate this tough schedule, Saban and his charges will book a trip to the playoffs in Arlington, Texas and have a shot at continuing their dynasty.

Oregon

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No. 2 Oregon appears to be in prime position to roll to a Pac-12 Championship. Both USC and Stanford already have losses on their records in the early going, while the UCLA Bruins haven't looked like worthy challengers in the early goings of this season, although they are still undefeated.

Simply put, the Oregon offense will blow away any and all comers this season with quarterback Marcus Mariota at the helm. The junior passer has racked up 11 total touchdowns (eight passing, three rushing) through three games this season.

He also continues to provide weekly feats of astonishing athleticism.

SportsCenter showed off his incredible dive and flip into the end zone against Wyoming in Week 3:

The Oregon defense isn't without merit, especially with stars like cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu lurking in the secondary. Safety Erick Dargan also acquitted himself well against the Cowboys, snagging two interceptions in that contest.

Oregon officially put the other national title contenders on notice when they hung 46 points on then-No. 7 Michigan State in Week 2. 

If the Ducks can rack up that many points against the vaunted Spartans defense, while also showing the requisite grit and determination in coming from behind to win in that contest, they should have very little problem blazing a path to the NCAA playoffs.

Baylor

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They haven't faced a program of note yet, but the No. 8 Baylor Bears offense looks to be comprised of several world-class athletes running a system to near perfection. 

The team has averaged 59.3 points throughout their first three games this season. The defense, when it's on the field, has done a fine job of stifling opponents and getting the ball back in the hands of well, whoever happens to be playing quarterback on that particular drive.

Bryce Petty was great against SMU in Week 1 and phenomenal in Week 3 against Buffalo, passing for 416 yards and four touchdowns in the latter contest.

Petty didn't play in Week 2 due to cracked bones in his back that head coach Art Briles wanted to let heal, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), but the offense didn't skip a beat.

Backup signal-caller Seth Perry merely stepped in and threw five first-half touchdowns against the Northwestern State Demons.

Usually a top-ranked team doesn't have to shuffle quarterbacks so early in the season. The fact that the Bears have made it a painless process up to this point is a testament to the organizational ability of Briles.

The Bears biggest test will come on Nov. 8 against No. 4 Oklahoma. That game could very well decide which of these two teams makes the playoffs, providing they are both still undefeated at that point in time. 

A Baylor-Oregon matchup in the playoffs, whether it's the final or a semifinal, would be a neutral fan's dream come true and a can't-miss sporting event.

All rankings updated as of September 13 and courtesy of AP poll via ESPN.com.