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 Oregon Ducks

Not only is Oregon playing the best football in the nation, but they are just one win away from competing in the playoff. The Pac-12 title game is a rematch against Arizona, the only team to beat the Ducks this season. Although Arizona is a very good team, there isn’t anyone in the nation that can beat Oregon twice in one season.

#2 Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s defense isn’t anywhere near what it once was, but they’ve made it through quite a gauntlet of opponents over the past month or so. When quarterback Blake Sims plays well, there’s nobody that can beat Alabama. The Tide will play Missouri in the SEC title game and they should win quite easily.

#3 Florida State Seminoles

Business as usual for FSU; A close win where they had to come from behind and then hang on. The ‘Noles have won 27 straight games and need one more to finish a second straight perfect season and a subsequent trip to the playoff. FSU will play a pretty good Georgia Tech team that won’t beat themselves and if Florida State digs themselves their usual hole the streak could come to an end.

#4 TCU Horned Frogs

With Mississippi State losing, TCU is in a pretty good position to grab the final spot in the playoff. Not having a Big 12 title game will hurt the Frogs a bit, but their resume should stand on it’s own merits. TCU can be leapfrogged by Baylor, assuming they blow out Kansas State or possibly even Ohio State if they look impressive in their Big Ten title game tilt against Wisconsin.

These are the four teams with the best chance to get into the playoff. For Oregon, Alabama and Florida State, it’s a simple win and you’re in. TCU needs to win and hope Baylor and/or Ohio State don’t look especially impressive.