With the College Football Playoff selection committee's penultimate rankings just around the corner, head coaches are making their impassioned cases for their teams' spots in the final four. Conference championship games will play a crucial role in determining the fate of several contenders, including the Texas Longhorns and the Oregon Ducks.

After a resounding 50-point victory over Texas Tech, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian expressed his satisfaction with their 11-1 record and acknowledged the high standards set for the program. While recognizing the internal expectations, Sarkisian emphasized that the work is not yet done, as Texas will need some outside assistance to secure a playoff berth.

Ideally, the selection committee would have an easy task if four Power Five teams remained undefeated. In such a scenario, teams like Georgia, Michigan, Washington, and Florida State would merit their spots. However, unpredictability is a hallmark of college football, and there are one-loss teams vying for consideration as well.

For the Oregon Ducks, their chances to reach the playoff stand at 53.4%, according to ESPN's playoff predictor. To solidify their case, they must win the conference title against the unbeaten Washington. Additionally, Oregon's hopes depend on the outcomes of other Power Five conference championship games, particularly the performance of Texas and FSU. If either of those teams loses and Georgia manages to handle Alabama, chaos scenarios could come into play, giving the Ducks a chance to secure a final four spot.

Alabama, with an 8.9% chance of reaching the playoff, remains hopeful after their close victory in the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Their playoff hopes now revolve around the monumental task of defeating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, potentially opening the door for four teams in contention for the fourth seed. Like Oregon, Alabama's chances would be significantly boosted if Texas and FSU were to suffer defeats.

Ohio State's playoff chances, at 51.9%, hinge on a series of events. Following their loss to Michigan, Coach Ryan Day did not comment on playoff scenarios. However, the Buckeyes are hoping for chaos to give them an edge, despite not having the opportunity to add a conference championship to their resume. To reach the playoff, Ohio State needs Oklahoma State to beat Texas, Louisville to upset unbeaten FSU, and for Georgia and Michigan to win their respective conference title games. These outcomes would position the Buckeyes as the best-looking one-loss team in the selection committee's eyes, similar to last season.

Texas finds themselves with a 10.9% chance of reaching the playoff, but they need assistance to secure a spot. Their fate will greatly depend on the results of Tuesday night's playoff rankings. If Georgia, Washington, and Michigan emerge victorious in their conference title games, Texas will be competing against FSU for the final spot. However, the Longhorns' chances are slim in this scenario, as the unbeaten Seminoles are favored. Texas's best-case scenario is for Georgia, Washington, and Michigan to win, coupled with an FSU loss to Louisville in the ACC finale.

Lastly, the unbeaten Washington Huskies hold a 26.4% chance of reaching the playoff. However, early lines suggest that they are underdogs in the upcoming title game against Oregon, the team they previously defeated. The Ducks, fueled by their loss against Washington, have been on a roll, while the Huskies have narrowly escaped several close calls during their unbeaten streak. To ensure their spot in the final four, Washington needs to defeat Oregon.

As the selection committee prepares to unveil their penultimate rankings, it is clear that conference championship games will have a significant impact on the playoff picture. The fate of several teams hangs in the balance, and fans eagerly await the final verdict.

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