We are now three weeks into the college football season, and the College Football Playoff picture is starting to clear up.
Three teams were effectively eliminated from playoff contention, with Arizona State, Ole Miss, and USC all suffering losses that erased any dreams they may have had. That leaves us with about 26 teams that are still on the playoff radar, with six or seven of those standing above the rest.
We have learned a few things over the years about how the committee picks the final four teams, and we have some idea of what teams need to do to make the playoff. Below, we ranked the top 20 teams in the country based on their chances to make the playoff.
20. Texas A&M
Record (AP Rank): 2-1 (22)
Last week's result: Beat Louisiana-Monroe, 48-10
Last week's playoff rank: Unranked
Key games remaining: A&M has Alabama (this week), Mississippi State, Auburn, and South Carolina on the road. All of those are before a season-ending home game against LSU.
One thing to know: Other teams that were considered for this final spot included Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Duke, Texas, TCU, and Oregon. These teams are all mostly interchangeable at this point. Not eliminated yet, but not quite on the radar either.
19. Wisconsin
Record (AP Rank): 2-1 (18)
Last week's result: Lost to BYU, 24-21
Last week's playoff rank: 7
Key games remaining: Wisconsin still has games on the road against Iowa (this week), Michigan, Northwestern, and Penn State.
One thing to know: Two regular-season losses looked like a real possibility for Wisconsin because of their schedule, but now it seems probable after a loss to BYU. Iowa now has an easier path to the Big Ten title game.
18. Iowa
Record (AP Rank): 3-0 (unranked)
Last week's result: Beat Northern Iowa, 38-14
Last week's playoff rank: unranked
Key games remaining: Iowa has Wisconsin at home this week. Their only other game against a ranked team is Penn State on the road in late October.
One thing to know: With Wisconsin losing to BYU, Iowa suddenly feels like a legit contender in the Big Ten West. If the Hawkeyes can beat Wisconsin this weekend, there is a possibility that Iowa is 11-1 heading into the B1G title game.
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