As conference championship week approaches, some teams have already solidified their probable places in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff field. Others must win this weekend to push their way into the CFP and keep their hopes alive.
Both teams in the Big Ten Championship Game (Oregon and Penn State) are likely already locked into the CFP field. As should be both teams in the SEC Championship Game (Texas and Georgia). But the winners will get top-four seeds and first-round byes.
Schools such as Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee won't be playing in conference championship games, but those programs appear to be CFP-bound after the latest rankings were released Tuesday night.