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Ohio State leading the way in ESPN Playoff Predictor, Penn State and Wisconsin still in the mix

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

Each week, ESPN updates its Playoff Predictor, providing fans with a look at the percentage that every college football team still has to play in the College Football Playoff at the end of the season. With eight weeks in the books, the picture is becoming a little clearer.

This week, Ohio State is the team with the best opportunity to be included in the four-team field at the end of the year. According to the latest projections, there’s a 78 percent chance the Buckeyes are selected to compete for a national title. That’s the highest percentage by seven points.

Second on the list is Clemson, coming in at 71 percent. Alabama sits at 70 percent, and then there’s a pretty steep drop off to Oklahoma, the No. 4 team currently, which is listed at 49 percent.

All four teams are currently sitting at 7-0

Penn State and Wisconsin are also still in the mix. The Nittany Lions are at 28 percent currently with a 7-0 record, which is No. 6. They’re one spot behind LSU, who has a 46 percent shot. Wisconsin, which is coming off a loss to Illinois, has been given a 3 percent chance to reach the College Football Playoff.

And, don’t worry Minnesota, you’re included too, although it’s at the very bottom of the list. Despite a 7-0 start to the season, the Gophers have been given less than a 1 percent chance to make the four-team field.

Here’s a look at the full list, as projected on ESPN:

  1. Ohio State (7-0): 78%
  2. Clemson (7-0): 71%
  3. Alabama (7-0): 70%
  4. Oklahoma (7-0): 49%
  5. LSU (7-0): 46%
  6. Penn State (7-0): 28%
  7. Oregon (6-1): 13%
  8. Notre Dame (5-1): 12%
  9. Auburn (6-1): 11%
  10. Georgia (6-1): 9%
  11. Florida (7-1): 7%
  12. Wisconsin (6-0): 3%
  13. Baylor (7-0): 2%
  14. Utah (6-1): 2%
  15. Minnesota (7-0): <1%
  16. Michigan (5-2): <1%
  17. SMU (7-0): <1%
  18. Texas (5-2): <1%
  19. Iowa State (5-2): <1%
  20. Iowa (5-2): <1%
  21. Cincinnati (6-1): <1%
  22. Appalachian State (7-0): <1%
Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB