As everyone knows this is the first season of the College Football Playoff. Four teams will make it and everyone else will have some nice parting gifts. Take note that these rankings aren’t the Top 4 teams in the country, they’re the four teams with the best chance to make the playoff.

#1 Florida State Seminoles

Florida State continues to find ways to win, even if they don’t look like the best team in the country. With their remaining schedule as soft as it is, it looks as if the ‘Noles won’t be challenged until the playoff begins.

#2 Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs had a much needed bye and next week they travel to take on a not-so-good Kentucky team. They have two tough dates remaining, against Alabama and Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. If they can get through one of the two it appears that they will be in really good shape.

#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame should’ve gained traction despite their loss to Florida State. The Irish have come a long way in the two years since they were blasted by Alabama in the title game, and if they can run the table the rest of the way, a one-loss Notre Dame shouldn’t be left out of the party.

#4 Oregon Ducks

Oregon keeps rolling and with everyone else having at least one loss the Ducks are in prime position to get in the dance if they win the Pac-12. This Ducks team doesn’t look as good as in years’ past, but if they can take advantage of a softer schedule and win games, they’ll be in great shape.

Again, these aren’t the best four teams in the nation, they’re the teams that are most likely to make it into the national playoff. We believe that there will be a great amount of diversity in the committee’s selections and that’s why there’s only one team from the SEC.