Bowl Predictions 2016: Projections for College Football Playoff Before Week 8
It's been a strange season in college football—but for all the wrong reasons.
We're used to wild games and upsets shaking up the rankings, but this year has been relatively predictable. Many of the top preseason teams remain undefeated, and the current College Football Playoff picture is crystal-clear.
Four conference favorites have separated themselves from the pack and are in position to cruise into the playoff if they can remain perfect.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here's a look at the current playoff picture, along with the other teams potentially headed to New Year's Six bowl games:
| Rose Bowl | Michigan vs. Utah | MICH |
| Cotton Bowl | Boise State vs. Wisconsin | WISC |
| Orange Bowl | Louisville vs. Tennessee | LOU |
| Sugar Bowl | Texas A&M vs. Baylor | TA&M |
| Peach Bowl/CFP Semifinal | Alabama vs. Clemson | BAMA |
| Fiesta Bowl/CFP Semifinal | Ohio State vs. Washington | OSU |
Playoff Favorites
Surprisingly, there isn't much debate about the four playoff favorites at the moment.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, Clemson Tigers and Washington Huskies are all undefeated and heavily favored to win their respective conferences. Ohio State also appears to hold an edge in the Big Ten, but the Michigan Wolverines should also be considered a strong contender to run the table and take the Big Ten's seat in the playoff.
Based on the strength of the conference schedules, the Big Ten, ACC and SEC winners will most likely represent their conferences in the playoff—even if it is a team other than the ones mentioned. Washington's situation is more complicated, however.
The Pac-12 is having a down year, and Washington did not play any notable out-of-conference games, creating a weak strength of schedule for the Huskies. An undefeated Pac-12 champion would be a shoo-in for the playoff, but with a loss, Washington may not be guaranteed a spot.
If Washington was to lose, a one-loss team from another conference with a stronger overall resume would have a realistic shot at earning a playoff berth.
Tennessee Volunteers
With two losses, the Tennessee Volunteers no longer control their own destiny in the SEC. They will only regain that control if they win out and the Florida Gators suffer a loss.
Despite the two losses, however, Tennessee is in an excellent position to earn an invitation to a New Year's Six bowl game.
The Vols do not have a ranked opponent remaining on the schedule, and according to ESPN.com's FPI, they have at least a 77 percent chance of victory in every remaining contest.
If the Vols run the table and finish with a 10-2 record, a New Year's Six bowl would likely be in their future.
Texas A&M Aggies
The Texas A&M Aggies are clearly on the outside of the playoff picture right now—but only because Alabama remains the SEC favorite. That could potentially change Saturday, as the Aggies get their shot at taking down the Crimson Tide.
According to Odds Shark, the Aggies are 17.5-point underdogs against Alabama, so the odds are stacked against them. But Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is one of the few SEC coaches with a road victory over Nick Saban's squad. The Aggies won in Tuscaloosa in 2012.
If A&M pulls off the upset, it will replace Alabama as the favorite to represent the SEC in the playoffs.
After this weekend, the Aggies have just one road game remaining, which could set the stage for an undefeated season.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
