ESPN analysts update College Football Playoff picks following Week 13

With another week of college football in the books, ESPN analysts have updated their predictions for who will make the College Football Playoff. 

It was a bit of a rough week for Big Ten playoff contenders. Ohio State missed its second game of the season due to COVID-19, casting doubt on if the Buckeyes will even be eligible play in the Big Ten Championship Game.

The Big Ten also lost its only other undefeated team in Northwestern who fell to Michigan State in a surprising upset.

As a result, only 10 of the 14 analysts picked a Big Ten team to make the College Football Playoff. Here’s everyone’s picks:

Andrea Adelson: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State
Kyle Bonagura: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State
Bill Connelly: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Ohio State, 4. Cincinnati
Heather Dinich: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State
David M. Hale: 1. Notre Dame, 2. Alabama, 3. Clemson, 4. Cincinnati
Sam Khan Jr.: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Texas A&M
Chris Low: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State
Harry Lyles Jr.: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Ohio State, 4. Clemson
Ryan McGee: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Cincinnati
Adam Rittenberg: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State
Alex Scarborough: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Ohio State, 4. Clemson
Mark Schlabach: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Florida
Tom VanHaaren: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State
Dave Wilson: 1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Clemson, 4. Ohio State

There are some interesting alternatives to Ohio State in there, including Cincinnati, Florida and Texas A&M.

The Buckeyes were ranked No. 4 by the College Football Playoff Committee in the initial rankings released last week. The next rankings will be released on Tuesday.

As recently as two weeks ago, Ohio State was a unanimous selection in these predictions.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular playoff picks, courtesy of ESPN:

• Alabama: 14/14
• Notre Dame: 14/14
• Clemson: 13/14
• Ohio State: 10/14
• Cincinnati: 3/14
• Florida: 1/14
• Texas A&M: 1/14