College Football was hesitant to start the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but now all of the power five conferences have played multiple games. Although there have been numerous cancellations in all of the conferences, the season looks like it will be able to successfully finish.
In light of this season being unique, there are a couple teams with a shot at the College Football Playoff (CFP) that are not in the power 5 conferences. Among these two teams are the Cincinnati Bearcats, which is the team with the highest probability of making it into the top 4.
They are currently ranked #7 in the CFP rankings, which certainly puts them in the conversation. Many analysts are saying they are underrated and should be higher, but the Bearcats still have a shot at being the first non power 5 team in the CFP.
The main reason there has not been one of these teams in the playoff is always because of the lack of competition in their schedules. Cincinnati is no different, but they do play #25 Tulsa in the AAC Conference Championship.
For the Bearcats to find a way to the playoff, they will need to convincingly win this game and get some help from a couple of teams. The 5-3 Auburn Tigers face #5 Texas A&m on Saturday morning, which could help Cincinnati climb to #6 if Auburn can pull off the upset.
Also, #1 Alabama and #6 Florida will face each other in the SEC Conference Championship, which could help the Bearcats climb to #5 in conjunction with an Auburn upset.
Then, #2 Notre Dame will play in a rematch against #3 Clemson in the ACC Conference Championship. At least three teams ahead of Cincinnati could end up losing, but it all depends on how the CFP Committee will rank the teams following their losses.
The committee has shown that if it is a loss to a top tier opponent, then they barely drop the team in the rankings.
It is a long shot for Cincinnati to get into the playoff, but it would make for an interesting matchup if they find a way to make it in.
The other non power 5 team is BYU, but they are currently ranked #14 with just a few games left in the season. Given BYU is buried in these rankings, the only shot to make history is in the hands of the Bearcats and the CFP Committee.