Breaking Down the CFB Playoff Race

I'll go conference by conference to gain a better understanding of the playoff contenders.

ACC

Both Clemson and FSU are undefeated and in the running. Clemson looks very strong. 

The Tigers host the Seminoles on November 7. And they're both in the same division so only one of them can reach the ACC Championship. 

Big 12

Oklahoma State, TCU and Baylor are all undefeated. Last week TCU and Baylor were #2 and #3, while OSU was #21. TCU skated by against an inferior opponent once again, Baylor beat up Kansas and OSU beat West Virginia on the road in overtime. 

TCU at OSU, November 7

Baylor at OSU, November 21

Baylor at TCU, November 28

They at least have tiebreakers this year to crown a champion, instead of having co-champions like last year.

Big Ten

Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa are all undefeated, but I don't consider Iowa a threat to win the Big Ten Championship game. Instead, I'll include Michigan, based on how well they've been playing. If a one-loss Michigan beats MSU and Ohio State and then wins the Big Ten title game, I think they're in the playoffs. 

MSU at Michigan, October 17

MSU at Ohio State, November 21

Ohio State at Michigan, November 28

Pac-12

Utah has the best resume in the country. And they're the only team still undefeated in the Pac-12. 

Utah at USC, October 24

UCLA at Utah, November 21

In the other division, Cal or Stanford will likely make the conference title game. Even with one loss, the conference champion will likely make the playoffs. 

Cal at Stanford, November 21

SEC

Florida, A&M, and LSU are all undefeated. But Alabama's loss hasn't hurt them in the rankings. You've gotta believe the winner of the SEC championship game will be in the playoffs, but it's a bit early to know who that will be yet. 

LSU plays Florida next week, but Florida could easily make the title game with a loss, so the game is more important to LSU. 

Overall

Notre Dame lost so I'm only considering the 5 power conferences right now. Last year, the committee took the four sole champions and left out the Big 12's co-champions. This year, we'll have 5 true champions. Every conference still could have an undefeated champion. Will all 5 do that? Probably not. So the question becomes, how do they compare champions. 

Is a one-loss Alabama SEC champion getting in vs a undefeated Clemson ACC champion?

Is a one-loss Michigan Big Ten champ getting in vs a one-loss Utah Pac-12 champ?

Say Ohio State, Utah, Clemson and Baylor all go undefeated...can they leave out a one-loss SEC champ?