College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction Top 15 Projection
15. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 7-1
The Case For This Spot: This is the one big test to know whether or not the College Football Playoff committee is on its game. Louisiana beat Iowa State 31-14 in Ames, and its one loss was in a 30-27 battle to Coastal Carolina. If the Ragin’ Cajuns are ranked ahead of the Cyclones, then be happy with the rest of the top 25.
Should Be Higher: It depends on where Coastal Carolina is ranked. Iowa State beat Oklahoma, and Louisiana gave Iowa State its worst loss of the year.
Should Be Lower: There are a whole lot of easy games on the slate, but this is actually about right. Remember, Arkansas State beat Kansas State at Kansas State, and Louisiana beat the Red Wolves.
Up Next: at ULM
14. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 8-0
The Case For This Spot: What more do you want? It has a Power Five win – okay, so it was at Kansas – that BYU and Cincinnati don’t, the defense has been outstanding, and the team is answering every challenge.
Should Be Higher: The Chanticleers gave Louisiana – who beat Iowa State – its only loss, and got by a terrific Appalachian State team who’s only loss was to an unbeaten Marshall.
Should Be Lower: Kansas, Campbell, South Alabama – there aren’t a ton of killers on the schedule, and there’s still the stigma of winning big in the Sun Belt.
Up Next: at Texas State
13. BYU Cougars 9-0
The Case For This Spot: From the very start of the season, BYU started the steamroller and has yet to stop. The nine wins are impressive, the team has been consistently great, and there hasn’t been a lick of drama.
Should Be Higher: You can only play who’s on the schedule. The Cougars had one test, and it rolled Boise State 51-17 on the road. The UTSA win was just 27-20, but no other game has been competitive.
Should Be Lower: Boise State was missing its starting backfield, and that’s really it for the challenging games. You and ten friends could hang 40 on the board against the rest of the schedule.
Up Next: San Diego State (Dec 12)
12. Georgia Bulldogs 5-2
The Case For This Spot: It’s a good compromise ranking. The team is very good, it has a QB now in JT Daniels, and the two losses are to Florida and Alabama away from home.
Should Be Higher: Talent-wise, if you think Alabama and Florida are top teams, then Georgia should be right there, too. The 27-6 whacking of Georgia helps, and the defense has been great other than against the two killers on the slate.
Should Be Lower: The Bulldogs had two tests and flunked them both. Struggling against a bad Mississippi State team at home doesn’t help.
Up Next: at South Carolina
11. Oklahoma Sooners 6-2
The Case For This Spot: The Sooners have improved over the last few weeks and now pass the eye test after a rough start. If it’s about how the teams look right now, OU should be in the top ten.
Should Be Higher: The Sooners destroyed a strong Oklahoma State and rolled through their last four games by a combined score of 198 to 64. The losses to Kansas State and Iowa State early on hurt, but those were late, tough defeats.
Should Be Lower: Two losses in a mediocre Big 12 – that’s a problem. using at home to Kansas State is a killer.
Up Next: at West Virginia
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