Is it a CFP funeral for Ohio State and LSU? We check for signs of life

Money does not buy guaranteed access to the 12-team playoff.

Across the country, we’re seeing what poor return on investment looks like.

Top-dollar squads at Ohio State and LSU each suffered a crippling third loss in Week 10. Is a third loss enough to keep those teams out of the playoff?

That might become a moot point, because there’s a real possibility Ohio State and LSU aren’t done losing.

On this edition of “College Football Unfiltered,” a USA TODAY Sports podcast presented by Sports Seriously, host Blake Toppmeyer and his colleagues Paul Myerberg and John Brice debate the playoff status of several 6-3 teams.

Are they cooked, or still alive?

Within the Big Ten and SEC, four teams suffered a third loss last weekend.

So, CFP status check … cooked or not cooked?

Missouri (6-3)

Myerberg: Missouri's cooked. It's a good team. I just think the Tigers lack the explosiveness to beat the best opponents. Certainly, the Tigers didn't get a lot of help from the officials, either, in a loss to Texas.

Brice: Flambéed. They’re done.

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Ohio State (6-3)

Brice: Charred. They’ll be in CFP rankings freefall.

Myerberg: It’s like if you forget to turn off the grill, and it just kept burning.

LSU (6-3)

Myerberg: Closer to cooked than not cooked. They don’t have the wins, but LSU’s reputation and perception might keep it from being totally done.

Brice: Don’t pull them off the grill yet. The Tigers have Texas and Tennessee up next. If they find a way to win both of those games and get to 9-3, I still think there's a path.

Ole Miss (6-3)

Myerberg: The way Ole Miss lost to Georgia, it’s hard to see that any other way than the Rebels’ bubble bursting. Cooked.

Brice: Broiled. Yes, Ole Miss lost to Georgia, and Georgia is now ranked No. 1. But, you still cannot lose 42-7 at home. The Rebels are done.

The last word

Toppmeyer’s summary verdict: I think all four of these teams are cooked.

Missouri has another loss left in it.

Ole Miss can get to 9-3, but it cannot add any more signature victories. Its remaining schedule is weak.

Ohio State is 0-2 behind backup quarterback Luke Fahey, and the committee already was skeptical of the Buckeyes even before they lost to Oregon.

LSU could build a playoff case if it rallies with wins against Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas, but why should anyone believe the Tigers can beat Texas and Tennessee in succession?

Get the fork ready. These teams look done.

College Football Unfiltered to go live for CFP rankings

The second CFP rankings will be released around 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 10. As soon as the rankings are released, Toppmeyer and Brice will go live with a special edition of College Football Unfiltered. You can watch that show on the USA TODAY Sports YouTube page.

Where to listen to College Football Unfiltered

Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' "College Football Unfiltered" podcast, hosted by columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream episodes on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts, Spotify or iHeart.Cohosts Matt Hayes, Paul Myerberg and John Brice cover college football for USA TODAY Sports.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is it a CFP funeral for Ohio State and LSU? We check for signs of life