Mississippi State, Auburn, Ole Miss: You’re in! You’ve cracked the top four of the inaugural College Football Playoff Rankings! Only now comes the real fun. Now you get a new target on your back. Because we don’t want anyone to get too ahead of themselves, here’s a look at each team's weaknesses and potential obstacles in their quest to remain in the playoff picture.
NO. 1 MISSISSIPPI STATE
The case for: Mississippi State is one of two remaining undefeated Power 5 teams in college football. Need we say more? So long as the Bulldogs win out, they won’t be denied.
The case against: A loss, however, could create an interesting scenario. Assuming State doesn’t play and win an SEC title, its résumé for the playoff becomes less impressive, especially when you look at a nonconference state littered with cupcakes Southern Miss, UAB, South Alabama and UT-Martin.
Achilles' heel: Offense, defense and ... special teams. Yes, State could be doomed by its kicking game and return units. The Bulldogs have made only four of seven field goals (none from 40-plus yards) and fumbled three punt returns already this season.
Toughest games remaining: Nov. 15 at Alabama, Nov. 29 at Ole Miss
Chance of running the table: 5.1 percent
NO. 3 AUBURN
The case for: Strength of schedule is Auburn’s biggest bargaining chip. Already stocked with wins over Kansas State and LSU, the Tigers have three more ranked opponents remaining.
The case against: Skip a few lines ahead. See all those road games remaining? That’ll be what dooms the Tigers. Winning two out of those three would be impressive, but a two-loss Auburn isn’t likely to be slotted ahead of a one-loss Notre Dame or Oregon.
Achilles' heel: Gus Malzahn has to hope his defense does enough not to lose him games. After all, you can’t give up 35 points and 535 yards to South Carolina and get taken seriously. Nick Marshall is good, but that’s asking a lot.
Toughest games remaining: Nov. 1 at Ole Miss, Nov. 15 at Georgia, Nov. 29 at Alabama
Chance of running the table: 5.2 percent
NO. 4 OLE MISS
The case for: That loss at LSU still stings right now, but Ole Miss shouldn’t feel too bad about it. After all, it has only two games against ranked opponents remaining, and both will be played at home. Even with a weak nonconference schedule, it will be hard to keep a one-loss Ole Miss out of the playoff, especially if LSU keeps improving.
The case against: About that nonconference schedule again. Like its Magnolia State brethren, Ole Miss didn’t do itself any favors looking outside the SEC for competition (see: Louisiana Lafayette, Memphis, Presbyterian). If Oregon wins out, it can waive around its win over Michigan State. Meanwhile, Ole Miss can’t say much about beating Boise State.
Achilles' heel: You can’t have rabbit ears as a quarterback and succeed in this league. Bo Wallace is as talented as can be, but when he starts listening to what’s going on around him and playing with too much emotion, Good Bo turns into Bad Bo and Ole Miss can’t recover.
Toughest games remaining: Nov. 1 vs. Auburn, Nov. 29 vs. Mississippi State
Chance of running the table: 13.2 percent