College Football Rankings: Alabama Leads Polls; Notre Dame, Clemson Are Top Playoff Contenders

Heading into Week 15 of the 2020 college football season, the number of national championship contenders is dwindling. Alabama leads the shortlist of teams that have a realistic chance of being selected to the College Football Playoff before Tuesday’s CFP Poll.

The Crimson Tide sit atop both the AP Top 25 Poll and the Coaches Poll. Alabama maintained the No.1 spot by trouncing LSU 55-17 Saturday, getting a measure of revenge against the defending national champions.

By going undefeated in 2019, LSU kept Alabama out of the SEC Championship Game for just the second time in six seasons. Nick Saban’s squad is now headed for a matchup with Florida in the conference title game, the winner of which will almost certainly earn one of the four CFP spots.

Florida is ranked No.6 in the nation.

Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State ranked second through fourth in last week’s CFP Poll. They are the clear favorites to join Alabama in the postseason.

Notre Dame and Clemson will meet in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 19. If the Tigers defeat the undefeated Fighting Irish, it could mean that both teams are going to the playoffs.

Clemson’s only loss was a 47-40 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame when star quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sidelined with COVID-19.

Ohio State defeated Michigan State 52-12 Saturday, and the Buckeyes are massive favorites in their Week 15 game against Michigan. OSU’s biggest obstacle in reaching the CFP could be playing the minimum six games required to compete for the Big Ten Championship. The upcoming contest between the Wolverines and Buckeyes is up in the air because of positive coronavirus tests.

Texas A&M might have the best chance to beat out one of the teams in the top tier and make the playoffs. The Aggies are No.5 in all three polls after winning on the road at Auburn. Alabama is the only team to defeat Texas A&M, and it’ll keep the Aggies out of the SEC Championship Game.

If Alabama wins the SEC Championship Game and Notre Dame beats Clemson for a second time, it could open the door for Texas A&M to make the playoffs. The Aggies would have to also defeat Mississippi and Tennessee in their final two games.

Cincinnati is holding out hope of earning a CFP selection. The Bearcats rank No.7 in every poll with a perfect record, though they’ll need help to overtake a Power Five school. Cincinnati will face Tulsa in the AAC Championship Game.

Indiana and Miami rank No.8 and No.9, respectively, in the AP Top 25 Poll. Their positions are swapped in the Coaches Poll.