Originally posted on 06/11/2017:

The current playoff system has been in business for three years now and we have not had a two loss team make it to the final 4. Can it happen this year? I think that the possibilities of having a two loss team in the playoffs this coming season are greater than ever, thanks to some non-con scheduling. Several teams immediately come to mind.

The loser of the Florida State-Alabama game must run the table to avoid a two loss season. While this is certainly possible for Alabama who hosts Tennessee and LSU, and only has a test at Auburn on the road. Florida State presents a much different situation. The 'Noles must face Clemson and Florida on the road, and host Miami. They face an uphill battle to run the table.

The Big 12 also has it's problems. Favorite Oklahoma goes to Ohio State and has a new HC for the first time in 18 years. They also play Kansas State and Oklahoma State on the road. Oklahoma State is a possibility, but gets games at Texas, at West Virginia, and at home against OU on successive weeks. The #1 and #@ teams will play it off for the Conference Championship, adding to the possible chaos.

The Big 10 has similar problems. The Eastern Division sees Ohio State hosting Oklahoma, and Michigan playing Florida in Texas. Penn State hosts Michigan, and then goes to Ohio State and Michigan State on successive weeks. In the West, Wisconsin has a real shot at running the table, but then they get to the CC game. Remember last year when some silly people thought that Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan were all worthy of going to the Final Four. All three LOST their post season games as the Big 10 had a miserable 3-7 record in bowl games, with the three winners coming from the West.

The Pac 12 has the best shot at their Champion going 13-0 or 12-1. Washington is favored in the North, and USC is favored in the South. They do not play each other during the regular season, and neither team has an overbearing schedule.

Then there is outsider USF, who plays a very soft schedule in a Group of 5 Conference. The only Power5 Conference team they play is a very weak Illinois team at home. Even if they finish at 13-0, will people take them seriously?

We know that the Conference Champion is NOT guaranteed a spot ahead of another team in the same conference (thanks to Ohio State who was dismembered by Clemson last season). You can pretty much bet the mortgage that if there are 4 Power 5 teams with 0 or 1 loss, USF is OUT. It seems as if the big question will be if the powers that be take a two loss Power 5 Conference team over an undefeated Group of 5 team if it comes down to that. My guess is yes.