College Football Playoff Bubble Watch

The biggest difference with the introduction of the 12-team College Football Playoff this season — aside from the bigger bracket — is the guaranteed inclusion of the five highest-ranked conference champions, regardless of their record. This change has opened up opportunities for teams that may not have otherwise qualified in previous years.

As we head into Week 5, I’ve picked the CFP field of 12 and identified the eight teams on the bubble. Keep in mind that these rankings are subject to change as the season progresses and new information becomes available.

CFP Field of 12:

1. Alabama (4-0)
2. Georgia (3-0)
3. Ohio State (4-0)
4. LSU (4-0)
5. Clemson (4-0)
6. Oklahoma (3-0)
7. Notre Dame (3-0)
8. USC (3-0)
9. Oregon (3-0)
10. Michigan (2-1)
11. Texas A&M (2-1)
12. Florida State (2-1)

Teams on the Bubble:

1. Penn State (2-1)
2. Iowa (2-1)
3. NC State (2-1)
4. Wake Forest (2-1)
5. Boston College (2-1)
6. Pitt (2-1)
7. Virginia Tech (2-1)
8. TCU (2-1)

These eight teams are all in the mix for a possible CFP spot, but they’ll need to continue their winning ways and rack up impressive résumés if they want to be considered.

Group of 5 Rankings:

1. Cincinnati (3-0) - The Bearcats are off to an incredible start, with wins over Ohio State, Miami (OH), and Iowa.
2. Boise State (4-0) - The Broncos have been flying under the radar, but their four-game winning streak is no joke.
3. Memphis (3-0) - The Tigers are another Group of 5 team that’s making some noise, with wins over Texas Tech and Ole Miss.
4. SMU (3-0) - The Mustangs are looking to make a statement in the American Athletic Conference.
5. Tulsa (2-1) - The Golden Hurricanes have a tough game against Iowa State on deck.

These rankings will change as the season progresses, but for now, these five teams are making some noise in the Group of 5.