College Football Playoff 2014: Bracket Predictions Ahead of Week 10

The insanity continues across the college football landscape, with yet another top team falling on Saturday. Ole Miss dropped its first game of the season ahead of the first College Football Playoff poll, but another SEC West team re-entered the discussion.

Mississippi State is the only undefeated team in the division remaining but nearly fell to Kentucky in Week 9. The Bulldogs still have a road game against Alabama and the Egg Bowl before being a playoff lock. They also have to worry about a resurgent Auburn team looking to make a statement this weekend.

As the top teams in the SEC continue to knock each other off, Florida State remains undefeated and has just one true test left. This Thursday, the Seminoles face Louisville in a game that might determine their chances at another title shot.

Prior to Week 10, here's a look at the latest projections for the first ever College Football Playoff.

Bowl	Date	Matchup	Prediction
Sugar	Jan. 1, 2015	Semifinal	No. 4 Mississippi State vs. No. 1 Florida State
Rose	Jan. 1, 2015	Semifinal	No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 2 Alabama

Breakdown of Predictions

There are currently three SEC West teams at the top of both the Amway and Associated Press polls. However, one of those teams is destined to lose, while the Rebels still have a chance to enter the picture again.

For now, Mississippi State remains the top dog in the SEC and the country as a whole. The Bulldogs are led by Dak Prescott, who has been historically great this season, per ESPN College Football:

Any worries about a foot injury shouldn't be huge, as the Heisman contender remains upbeat. Asked about the boot on his right foot, Prescott told Michael Bonner of The Clarion-Ledger, "Oh yeah, this is just precautionary. ... It's just, I got a boot on it."

The junior didn't appear to miss a step as he went off for three total touchdowns to lead MSU over Kentucky. Meanwhile, another SEC team routed a second straight opponent when Alabama returned to the spotlight.

Nick Saban's program crushed Tennessee 34-20 and has won its last two games by a total of 73 points. Kyle Tucker of The Courier-Journal offered his take on the Crimson Tide:

Given the No. 2 ranking in the playoff projections, the Tide will remain undefeated the rest of the way. That includes a win over the Bulldogs and an Iron Bowl victory on their way to an SEC title.

Even with a great run into the postseason, the Tide simply won't be able to do enough to move into the No. 1 seed if Florida State remains undefeated. The Seminoles had a bye after a statement win over Notre Dame and have a favorable schedule the rest of the way.

Thursday night presents the most daunting matchup for the Noles, as Brad Edwards of ESPN.com (subscription needed) points out:

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The FPI gives Miami the best chance to upset FSU (on Nov. 15), but if you believe that the formula for beating the Seminoles is a stout defense and a difference-making crowd, then this Thursday's game at Louisville could be all that realistically stands between Florida State and a spot in the playoff. Either way, the amount of resistance on FSU's path to an unbeaten regular season is far less than what fellow unbeaten Mississippi State faces.

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Along with FSU, another strong offensive team has a chance to finish the season in the College Football Playoff. Oregon may have fallen to Arizona earlier this season but still has strong wins over both Michigan State and UCLA.

While it appears some voters have forgotten about the dominant win over the Spartans, the Ducks can overtake them moving forward. Wins over Stanford and Utah should propel Oregon back into the playoff picture.

Marcus Mariota has been at the top of his game for Oregon, as ESPN Stats & Info notes:

If Mariota can simply lead the charge the rest of the season, the Ducks should eventually get the jump over Michigan State with the win.

By virtue of the lone loss for Mississippi State, Oregon will draw No. 2 Alabama. Given the recent run by the Tide, that's not necessarily the matchup the Ducks might want, but it gives hope for a national title all the same.

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