There are just four weeks left in the 2019 college football regular season.
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday, and it’s time to barrel toward an exciting finish with the November schedule. There's no bigger game than No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama this week, and that is the biggest piece of the puzzle.
MORE: Ranking top 10 games to determine final Playoff field
Not much changed on a light schedule — other than Georgia's 24-17 victory against Florida. That puts the Bulldogs in position to win the SEC East. A total of 13 Power 5 teams have one loss or fewer heading into those final four weeks.
Sporting News breaks down the College Football Playoff picture every week. Here is a look at the Playoff picture heading into Week 11:
College Football Playoff: Four in
1. LSU (8-0)
The Tigers control their own destiny here. If LSU beats Alabama in the "Game of the Century" like it did in 2011, then the Tigers will have the inside track to the SEC West championship and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff rankings. We expect the Tigers to be in that spot Tuesday based on top-10 victories against Texas, Florida and Auburn, but they will be forced to rely on help if they can’t win at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This is Joe Burrow’s chance to make a Heisman Trophy statement, too.
2. Alabama (8-0)
We wouldn't be surprised if the Crimson Tide are ranked No. 3 in the first Playoff rankings. Nick Saban said Tua Tagovailoa (ankle) will be a "game-time decision" for the LSU game, and it’s a good chance it will stay that way until kickoff. This marks the ninth time that the Crimson Tide is undefeated to start November under Saban, and this is the biggest opportunity to answer questions about a soft schedule. A strong argument could be made that Alabama needs this game more, despite winning the last eight meetings.
3. Ohio State (8-0)
Ohio State still hasn't lost a game under coach Ryan Day, and the Buckeyes had a week off to prepare for a November schedule that starts with what should be business as usual against Maryland. It was the Terps who pushed the Buckeyes to overtime in a 52-51 shootout last year, however — the last time this team was really, truly challenged. This could be another chance for defensive end Chase Young to provide some Heisman promotional material.
4. Clemson (9-0)
The Tigers rolled through Wofford 59-14 on Saturday, and the Tigers are the only 9-0 team on the board heading into Week 11. Clemson seems to understand there is no margin for error, and it has won its last seven games against its next opponent — N.C. State — by an average of 18.6 points per game. The Playoff committee could place the Tigers outside the top four, but that seems unlikely knowing the defending national champions are on a 24-game win streak. Clemson is still good enough to win it all.
College Football Playoff: First two out
5. Penn State (8-0)
Will the Nittany Lions take the fourth spot in the initial set of rankings? Don’t rule it out. Penn State had a week off after an impressive stretch against Iowa, Michigan and Michigan State, and the Wolverines are the only team to score more than 13 against this aggressive defense. Penn State can pad that resume more with a victory against Minnesota — which might be ranked in the top 10 in the latest polls.
6. Georgia (7-1)
The Bulldogs took control of the SEC East with a 24-17 victory against Florida, and as a result remain the best bet among the one-loss teams to make a run. Georgia is in position to win out and make the Playoff; the loss against South Carolina on is a blemish, but it's not a deal-breaker knowing Missouri, Auburn, Texas A&M and a potential conference championship game are still on the table.
MORE: Breaking down path to postseason for remaining Playoff contenders
College Football Playoff: Four to watch
7. Oregon (8-1)
The Ducks routed USC 56-24 in impressive fashion in the last high-profile regular-season game on their schedule. Oregon controls its own destiny in the Pac-12 North and is playing at a high level down the stretch with Justin Herbert, a strong running game and a defense that is playing with an edge under coach Mario Cristobal. The season-opening loss at Auburn could haunt them in arguments against LSU and Alabama, and the Ducks need Utah to keep winning. There still is a chance for the Pac-12, however.
8. Oklahoma (7-1)
The Sooners were out of sight after the 48-41 loss at Kansas State, and a bye week was needed before a season-ending stretch that starts against Iowa State. Oklahoma still is a good bet to win the Big 12, and they do get Baylor on Nov. 16, but the path is a little more complicated because LSU beat Texas and the conference championship game just isn't as enticing as last year's. The Sooners will need some help to make a true Playoff run.
9. Utah (8-1)
The Utes dug out of a 14-3 hole on the road at Washington for a clutch 33-28 victory that keeps their Pac-12 South title hopes alive. Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (19 of 24, 284 yards, touchdown) was efficient in that hostile environment, and that gives Utah the lead in the Pac-12 South by virtue of USC’s loss to Oregon. Utah still needs help to make a Playoff run, but all the Power 5 conference teams with one loss or less are in that conversation.
10. Baylor (8-0)
Baylor survived an ugly 17-14 victory against West Virginia on Halloween night, and Matt Rhule deserves coach of the year consideration for his efforts with this team. The Bears still have a reasonable trek to the Big 12 championship game — but the rushing attack will have to be better against the Sooners and Longhorns than it was against the Mountaineers. Baylor also can't overlook this week’s trip to TCU. The Horned Frogs have won the last four meetings since the legendary 61-58 shootout in 2014.
