This is a weekly SI series using the current college football standings to create an imaginary 12-team playoff bracket based on the model proposed this summer by CFP executives. In case you’ve forgotten, the 12-team model features (1) the six highest-ranked conference champions and (2) the next six highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions get byes to the second round (independents are not eligible to receive a bye—sorry, Notre Dame).
Things are getting dicey. While each new week whittles down the Fake Selection Committee’s list of potential candidates—goodbye Kentucky, Iowa, Penn State and SMU—it also makes our job that much more difficult.