The College Football Playoff Selection Committee revealed its initial rankings for the 2022 season, slotting the top six contenders for the four-team CFP field along with the top contenders to land New Year’s Day bids. As the season reaches its final stretch, the top six teams in the picture include Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan and Alabama.
Three SEC teams feature in the top six spots, with two Big Ten teams also in the picture. The two so-called future ‘super conferences’ which plan to expand soon lead the pack with the Big 12 and ACC brining one undefeated team each to the picture.
Take a look at what each CFP contender brings to the table heading into Week 10.
Tennessee has showcased one of the most exciting offenses in college football and features a Heisman-worthy connection between Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt. In year two under Josh Heupel, the Volunteers picked up a win over Alabama and now holds the No. 1 ranking with a big game on the road against Georgia in Week 10.
Remaining schedule: at Georgia, Missouri, at South Carolina, at Vanderbilt
Ohio State brought back CJ Stroud and a number of elite offensive weapons, but also added defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to fix the biggest holes from last season. Once again in the picture for the CFP, the Buckeyes must close out the Big Ten schedule as the roster gets healthy once again.
Remaining schedule: at Northwestern, Indiana, at Maryland, Michigan
Georgia again features a high-level defense despite losing a number of contributors to the NFL Draft after winning the national championship over Alabama last season. With Stetson Bennett back to lead the offense with his years of experience, they look just as potent as ever entering the biggest regular season matchup in recent memory.
Remaining schedule: Tennessee, at Mississippi State, at Kentucky, Georgia Tech
Clemson has returned to the top of the sport again after a down year in 2021. Despite several questions to be answered at quarterback with DJ Uiagalelei under center and Cade Klubnik on the bench, the defense has done enough to keep the Tigers perfect entering the home stretch.
Remaining schedule: at Notre Dame, Louisville, Miami, South Carolina
Michigan broke through last season by making the CFP field under Jim Harbaugh, and has put itself in position to establish itself as a perineal contender under new starting quarterback JJ McCarthy. Like Ohio State, the Wolverines must close things out in the Big Ten before a potential postseason run.
Remaining schedule: at Rutgers, Nebraska, Illinois, at Ohio State
Despite an early loss against Tennessee and several other scares which have led to questions about the cracks which could be appearing in the Alabama dynasty, the Crimson Tide finds itself in the graces of the CFP Selection Committee again. They control their own destiny in the SEC West, which would give them a chance to add a conference title to the resume.
Remaining schedule: at LSU, at Ole Miss, Austin Peay, Auburn
