Here’s How UCF Makes The College Football Playoff

Once again, the top four remained the same with Alabama holding down the top spot while Clemson, Notre Dame and MI rounded out the final three spots. Would the committee hold a loss against either team, particularly with Georgia's sole defeat to this point having come on the road at No. 7 LSU (9-2)? If the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes and finish with just one loss - at Notre Dame back in September - could the committee leave them out of the playoff? The Knights became the first team from outside the Power Five conference to be ranked in the selection committee's top 10.

The Knights (10-0) moved a step closer to a possible spot in the two semifinal games with an emphatic win over Cincinnati in front of a nationally televised audience Saturday, extending the nation's longest win streak to 23 games.

The top eight teams in the rankings were unchanged.

Northwestern (7-4) of the Big Ten and Utah (8-3) of the Pac-12 have also clinched spots in their respective conference championship game, and Texas (8-3) could do the same in the Big 12 on Friday by beating Kansas.

The Cougars should move ahead of LSU with a win over Washington next week but it's clear that the committee likes LSU's strength of schedule more than Washington State's.

It easily could have been nine such teams, but West Virginia lost unexpectedly at Oklahoma State (6-5) on Saturday, dropping to 9-2 and No. 12 in the Associated Press poll. Upsets are sweeter and sting more in rivalry games, and you may want to look at some of the recent weeks results from other rivalry games to keep your own emotions and cash in check if you feel like betting on mostly big favorites and stronger teams. Penn State 13. West Virginia 14.

"While UCF may not have the depth or talent of Ohio State, right now UCF has the better all-around team", Playoff chair Rob Mullens said on ESPN when asked of the reason for the move.

Also that night, Washington State hosts No. 16 Washington (8-3) in the 112th Apple Cup. Ohio State remained at No. 10. Utah 18. Mississippi State 19.