Bowl Predictions 2015: Full Projections for CFP Final and More Top Games

Only a weekend of conference championships separate the College Football Playoff committee from determining its final rankings, but there still remains potential for bedlam among the top of the standings.

No. 3 Oklahoma has secured a spot by virtue of its current ranking and not having to play a conference title game. The winner of the Big Ten Championship Game—featuring No. 4 Iowa and No. 5 Michigan State—will claim another spot among the final four.

But where it gets hairy is among the Top Two. No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama each must win—against No. 10 North Carolina and No. 18 Florida, respectively—to solidify their spots in the second annual tournament.

Brett McMurphy of ESPN sarcastically quipped at how much of a dilemma the committee would face should both top-ranked teams fall this weekend:

Here are projections for how the landscape will shape heading into the final Saturday of the season.

ORANGE BOWL: No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma

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Clemson couldn't have gotten a better opponent to gear up for the playoff than in its ACC Championship Game opponent, North Carolina.

The Tigers haven't played a formidable foe since defeating Florida State in Week 10, and the Tar Heels will arguably be the best offense they've seen all season. North Carolina is averaging 495.7 yards and 41.3 points per game, which will be an excellent test for Clemson's FBS seventh-best defense.

Clemson is the better team—arguably the most complete in college football this year—and the Tigers should roll behind their Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Deshaun Watson. But the Tar Heels will make them earn it, and Clemson wouldn't have it any other way.

Oklahoma is currently third in the rankings and has assuredly secured a playoff berth, but don't be surprised if the Sooners fall one spot in favor of the Big Ten champion, which will be coming off a win in what amounts to a national quarterfinal as a play-in game.

Oklahoma has quietly positioned itself better than any this late in the season. The Sooners defeated Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks to win the Big 12 outright, and their backloaded schedule paid off wonderfully.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield has emerged as a dark horse for the Heisman, and former NFL executive Gil Brandt believes Mayfield's 35 touchdowns to five interceptions and FBS fourth-best 178.9 passer rating merits at least an invitation to the ceremony in New York City:

Oklahoma may be the hot team no one wants to face right now, but Clemson will be ready for its semifinal matchup by the time it arrives. Head coach Dabo Swinney has been arguably the best coach in the country this year, and he'll have his team ready.

Prediction: Clemson wins

COTTON BOWL: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State

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Alabama is a 17.5-point favorite over Florida, per Odds Shark, and though that margin seems a tad hefty, the Crimson Tide should still roll past the Gators and secure their second straight playoff berth.

Michigan State faces another test in the Big Ten title game against Iowa, but the Spartans' gutsy resolve in their wins over Michigan and defending champion Ohio State proved the Spartans are as championship-caliber as they come.

MSU is loaded on defense, has one of the nation's best quarterbacks in Connor Cook and will be too tall a task for Iowa, which has 12 regular-season wins for the first time in program history.

But the Hawkeyes haven't played any team currently ranked, and the Spartans will present a rude awakening.

Alabama should return the favor in the national semifinal. The Crimson Tide rank a remarkable second in total defense (264.6 yards per game) and third in scoring defense (14.3 points) while playing in arguably the nation's toughest conference.

But Alabama also counters with the Heisman Trophy favorite on offense in running back Derrick Henry, who has churned out an FBS-best 1,797 yards on 295 carries.

Alabama may have faltered in last year's playoff, but this is the stage it'll be prepared. RJ Bell of Pregame.com showed Vegas believes the Crimson Tide would defeat any of their potential playoff opponents:

Expect a Southern showdown for the national title.

Prediction: Alabama wins