In what constitutes a first for the postseason format, as much as three-fourths of the College Football Playoff is already set in advance of Bowl Subdivision conference championship games, wringing almost every ounce of intrigue from the traditionally sweat-inducing final weekend of the regular season.
No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Michigan enter the SEC and Big Ten championship games as heavy favorites against No. 13 LSU and Purdue, respectively. Surprising upsets in one or both games will only impact seeding, not the broader playoff field.
No. 11 Clemson's loss to No. 20 South Carolina also raised the odds that No.