Bowl Projections 2014: Picks for College Football Playoff Ahead of Week 7

College football fans have had a few days to catch their breath after a ridiculous Week 6 of the season, but enthusiasts are already preparing for another solid slate on Saturday for Week 7.

Five matchups include Top 25 teams, with two featuring teams ranked 10th or better. That guarantees even more shakeups in the rankings and even more controversy about who the top four are in the country.

The first ever College Football Playoff is set to take place in January, so the pressure to be at the top of the landscape is of the utmost importance. With several weeks remaining, even teams like Alabama, Oregon and Oklahoma remain in the hunt.

Prior to the start of Week 7, here's a look at the latest projections for the College Football Playoff.

Date	Bowl	Prediction
Thu., Jan. 1	Rose (CFP Semifinal)	Notre Dame vs. Alabama
Thu., Jan. 1	Sugar (CFP Semifinal)	Florida State vs. Baylor
Mon., Jan. 12	Championship Game	Florida State vs. Alabama

Breakdown

Simply put, Baylor and Florida State have schedules that shape up well for a run to the semifinals.

If Baylor can pass tests against TCU and Oklahoma, it will be playing for a chance at a title. As for the Seminoles, even a potential loss to Notre Dame might not keep them out of the playoff. Despite a slow start for the 'Noles, the program is once again at the top of the Amway Poll, per USA Today:

A loss for Alabama on the road against Ole Miss was a significant one, but certainly not a nail in the coffin.

The Crimson Tide were limited offensively by the Rebels' stout defense in a 23-17 loss that saw Blake Sims limited to 228 yards passing, no touchdowns and one interception. Sims did contribute a rushing score, but that was the only offensive touchdown for Alabama.

It was an awful performance, but one the team can still recover from with their upcoming schedule. So maybe Phyllis was right during her rant about Alabama not being dead, per Bleacher Report:

Coming up for the Tide is a daunting schedule, but the toughest games will be played in Tuscaloosa.

Road games against Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU all look winnable, so it will come down to their performance at home. Offenses like Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Auburn will not only test the Tide, but also should propel them back into the playoff picture if they win every game.

Rather than looking ahead, however, Saban is of course focused now on Arkansas, via Barrett Sallee of Bleacher Report:

As for Notre Dame, surviving Stanford proves it is a national title contender. But with their remaining schedule, can a one-loss Irish team still make the playoff if they fall to Florida State?

Unlike Alabama, every tough test for Notre Dame will come on the road. Games against Florida State, Arizona State and USC will all be played away from South Bend and could result in the Irish dropping out of the playoff picture with a loss.

That schedule is nothing compared to what Ole Miss and Mississippi State have to face in the SEC West. If either of those teams falters, expect Notre Dame to rise into playoff talks and potentially earn a berth.

At this point, Notre Dame has proven it has a legitimate chance to make the Championship Game for the second time under Brian Kelly. But if they suffer more than one hiccup against a Pac-12 team or even Louisville, the Irish will be playing in a lower bowl yet again after the season.

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