Race for the CFP Week 6: Mizzou Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive with 45-17 Win Over Florida

The Missouri Tigers were the talk of College Football’s Week 5 after their 45-17 win over previous No. 8 Florida. With the win, Mizzou moved up 11 spots to No. 14 in the latest AP Top 25 poll — keeping their CFP hopes alive.

No, Missouri isn’t in the CFP picture quite yet, but the Tigers can play way into it by stacking up wins in the second half of the season against elite competition. The stretch run begins on Saturday vs Texas A&M in a game they’re favored (and need to) win.

While Mizzou is currently on the outside looking in, let’s get to the latest “Race for the CFP” entering Week 6 of the season.

SEC favorite: Texas

Coming off their bye week, the Longhorns are still ranked No. 1 heading into the Red River Rivalry vs Oklahoma on Saturday.

Big Ten favorite: Indiana

The Hoosiers needed to win convincingly at Rutgers and did with a 47-15 victory. IU is ranked No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25 heading into Saturday’s game at Nebraska — a clash between two 5-0 teams.

Big 12 favorite: BYU

It was an off night for quarterback Bear Bachmeier, but the defense was stout in a 17-10 road win last week over TCU. The Cougars are ranked No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and host a rebuilding Iowa State team on Friday night.

ACC favorite: Miami (FL)

The Canes looked the part of National Championship contenders in a 41-13 blowout road win over Clemson last week. Mario Cristobal’s team is ranked No. 4 in the latest AP Top 25 poll heading into their bye week.

Automatic Bid: Notre Dame

CJ Carr played at a Heisman-like level in a 37-26 road win over North Carolina last week. The Irish are ranked No. 3 in the latest AP Top 25 and host Stanford on Saturday.

Group of Six Automatic Bid: Boise State

The Broncos come in at No. 23 in the latest AP Top 25 poll after a 37-18 win over Utah State last week. A road game at Fresno State on Saturday could be tricky.

At-Large Bid Selections:

Ohio State:

The Buckeyes still have a case as the best team in the country after a 31-14 road win over a ranked Iowa team last week. Ohio State hosts Maryland on Saturday before their big showdown at Indiana on October 17th.

Georgia:

Gunner Stockton and the 2nd-ranked Bulldogs took care of business in a 38-14 win over Vanderbilt last week, but all eyes are on Saturday night’s blockbuster game at Alabama.

Alabama:

Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide picked up a quality 56-23 road win over a ranked Mississippi State team. to quiet the Cowbells. Alabama is ranked No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 poll heading into a much-anticipated matchup vs Georgia on Saturday.

Ole Miss:

It might have been a good time for the Rebels’ bye week. 9th-ranked Ole Miss is at Vanderbilt on Saturday — looking to bounce-back after the loss at Florida.

Oregon:

With Iowa’s loss to Ohio State, the Ducks are back in the playoff picture. Coming off their bye week, 13th-ranked Oregon is double-digit favorites over No. 21 UCLA on Saturday.

LSU:

The Tigers come in at No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and have an SEC road night game at Kentucky on Saturday.

Top Four Seeds:

1) Texas

2) Georgia

3) Notre Dame

4) Miami (FL)

Projected Bracket:

12) Boise State at 5) Ohio State

11) Ole Miss at 6) Indiana

10) Oregon at 7) Alabama

9) BYU at 8) LSU

Final Four Pick:

1) Texas vs 5) Ohio State

2) Georgia vs 3) Notre Dame

National Championship:

Texas over Notre Dame