Bowl projections: Oklahoma loss opens door wider for Cincinnati as Alabama enters playoff field

It has been one other optimistic week for Cincinnati in its quest to turn out to be the primary Group of 5 staff to earn a spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. And as at all times, a “good week” for the Bearcats has virtually nothing to do with their very own video games.

No, the excellent news for Cincinnati this week comes within the type of a loss by Oklahoma by the hands of Baylor. That knocked the Sooners from the ranks of the unbeaten and assured that the Huge 12 won’t have an undefeated champion.

It is also yet one more impediment faraway from Cincinnati’s path to glory.

Oklahoma is now not projected into the College Football Playoff. The Sooners are changed by Alabama, which is now projected as the primary two-loss staff to earn a CFP spot in occasion historical past. The Crimson Tide enter because the No. 4 seed.

Oklahoma stays the opposite candidate for the ultimate spot, nonetheless, as it’s nonetheless projected to complete 12-1 and win the Huge 12. However as we’ve got realized this season, the CFP Choice Committee loves Alabama, which it at present has ranked No. 2.

The Crimson Tide are projected to win out by way of the common season earlier than shedding to No. 1 Georgia within the SEC Championship Recreation. These two would then rematch in a CFP semifinal on the Orange Bowl.

Ohio State is now projected because the No. 2 seed with the Buckeyes anticipated to complete 12-1 because the Huge Ten champions. Cincinnati, beforehand in because the No. 4 seed, strikes one spot to No. 3 the place it’ll face its in-state rivals within the Cotton Bowl semifinal.

Faculty Soccer Playoff

Oregon stays the projected Pac-12 champion, however it’s anticipated to carry an 11-2 document with one other loss to come back earlier than the top of the common season. Oklahoma State is projected to lose not less than as soon as to Oklahoma (a Huge 12 Championship Recreation rematch shouldn’t be assured), whereas each Michigan and Michigan State are projected to fall to Ohio State later this month.

The rest of Jerry Palm’s bowl projections after Week 11 will probably be up to date Sunday morning on this house.

Michigan impresses whereas Oklahoma and Texas fall, Florida has a tough tough day and extra on this week’s On the spot Response by the Cowl 3 crew recapping Week 11 scores and ends in faculty soccer.