Bowl Predictions 2022: Projections for College Football Playoff Contenders

It could be smooth sailing here on out for Clemson in its quest to recapture the ACC championship. And that would likely mean a return to the College Football Playoff for the Tigers.

Clemson became the first team this season to defeat Syracuse on Saturday, when the Tigers prevailed 27-21 over the Orange. Although Clemson is ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, it would likely have no trouble getting into the CFP if it becomes the undefeated ACC champion.

Some of the other teams in the playoff mix will have much more difficult paths. While none of Clemson's final four regular-season games will be against ranked opponents, other top schools still have challenging games to play.

So, things could change up a good bit in the CFP landscape over the next month. But for now, here's a look at how the four-team playoff bracket could look come December.

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College Football Playoff Projections

Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Tennessee

Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson

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There's a good chance that two SEC teams could be heading to the College Football Playoff this season. Not only are No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Tennessee both undefeated, but No. 6 Alabama also remains in the mix.

Either the Bulldogs or the Vols will have a loss on their resume by the end of the regular season. That's because the two teams are set to face off on Nov. 5. The winner of that game should reach the SEC championship game for a likely matchup against the Crimson Tide.

If Georgia or Tennessee goes undefeated and the other has only one loss (which would be in that head-to-head matchup), then there will be a case to be made that both the Bulldogs and the Vols should be in the playoff.

A similar situation could be brewing in the Big Ten. No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan are both undefeated, but only one will be heading to the conference's championship game. A Nov. 26 matchup between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines will likely decide that.

So it's also possible that either Ohio State or Michigan goes undefeated and the other finishes with only one loss (in that head-to-head matchup). While the SEC teams likely had a more challenging schedule and would have the edge in sending a second school to the CFP, the Big Ten squads would both be in consideration, too, by the selection committee.

Clemson appears to be in good shape at this point. It finishes the regular season with games against Notre Dame, Louisville, Miami and South Carolina, and then it will play in the ACC championship game, which will likely be a matchup against North Carolina.

Of course, any of these top teams could unexpectedly lose at any time. And that would open the door for others to get into the CFP mix.

Alabama may have lost to Tennessee, but it's still in the playoff picture. The Crimson Tide are likely to win their final four games of the regular season, and then they'll face either Georgia or Tennessee for the SEC title. If Alabama wins that and still has a one-loss record, it will be in the CFP.

Other teams that could be in the conversation are TCU and Oregon. The Horned Frogs are 7-0 and the clear top team in the Big 12, while the Ducks are 6-1 and the only team in the Pac-12 with an unblemished record in conference play.

Unlike Alabama, TCU and Oregon may not be in control of its own destinies for the College Football Playoff. But the Horned Frogs would have a strong argument if they end up as the undefeated Big 12 champion.