Four teams remain in the hunt for college football’s national championship, and that means there are eight possible scenarios for this season’s outcome. In the mix, you’ve got a couple of clear villains: Michigan, still embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal, and Alabama, the favorite of the establishment that bounced Florida State from the playoff. You’ve got a risen-from-the-ashes Texas squad and a cracking-the-old-boy-network Washington team.
Here are all eight, ranked by an arcane formula that combines skill sets, storylines and good, old-fashioned gut feelings — you know, just like every college football ranking system.