Two things were true heading into this season: the College Football Playoff was going to add more interest with the new 12-team format, and Big Ten football was going to be well represented.
According to this week’s USA Today CFP bracketology piece, those thoughts remain true. 9 of 18 teams in the Big Ten are undefeated, including 5 teams that are 3-0. Oddly enough, the top two Big Ten teams in USA Today’s most recent College Football Playoff bracketology haven’t played thrice yet.
Let’s look at the programs that made the cut this week, and a few knocking on the CFP door.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Week 4 CFP Prediction: #2 seed, Big Ten conference winner
The Buckeyes are listed as the top team from the Big Ten with a first round bye (the bottom eight teams play in the first round). No qualms there, even as they sit third in both major polls.
The top four seeds being conference winners is probably right, even if the fourth seed ends up being worse than seeds as low as eight.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Week 4 CFP Prediction: #6 seed, At Large bid
Penn State sitting ahead of USC is a surprise considering talent faced. What the Nittany Lions have over the Trojans is a higher seed to being the 2024 season.
As of today, USC should be ahead of of Penn State. Even a pummeling of Kent State Week 4 would not be enough to keep PSU ahead, short of USC losing at Michigan this weekend.
Oregon Ducks
Week 4 CFP Prediction: #9 seed, At Large bid
Speaking of teams that have an argument to be ahead of Penn State, Oregon’s blasting of Oregon State ended an odd streak of questionable performances.
The Ducks are on a bye this week, so a drop in next week’s bracketology would not be unsuspected.
USC Trojans
Week 4 CFP Prediction: First Four out
It’s difficult to have qualms with USC on the outside looking in, especially with Missouri and Mississippi in the same boat.
The Group of Five will get at least one program in the 12-team field, leaving USC out for now. The Trojans could change that with a statement win over the Wolverines Week 4.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Week 4 CFP Prediction: Team to watch
If the Cornhuskers sweep Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, and Indiana prior to their matchup against Ohio State, and Nebraska will be firmly in the hunt for a CFP berth.