Editor’s note: Each Sunday the Las Vegas Review-Journal will select the four teams most likely to be in the CFP semifinals ahead of the title game in Las Vegas on Jan. 25.
There is a reason Texas hasn’t yet cracked these rankings despite the Longhorns’ No. 1 standing in that other poll.
The schedule is brutal and there are just so many opportunities to potentially stub their toe more than once, as they nearly found out Saturday when Tennessee recovered an onside kick and had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the final minute.
Arch Manning and the Longhorns still have six games remaining against teams currently sitting in the Top 25.
It’s the same reason Ole Miss wasn’t in our top four even after a tremendous victory last weekend. The Rebels stumbled in Gainesville against Florida and have a ton of work to do to climb back into consideration.
Here are this week’s Review-Journal CFP Las Vegas Top Four projections:
1. Notre Dame (4-0)
There has been a lot of bashing of Notre Dame’s schedule in this space, but it should be said that they at least tried to play some brand-name programs and regional rivals. It’s not their fault they all just happen to be bad at the same time. Former UNLV coach Barry Odom and Purdue were the latest victims, taking a 49-10 thrashing at home Saturday. The Irish have given up just 33 points all season and next play Bill Belichick and North Carolina. It should be another win as long as Tom Brady isn’t suiting up.
2. Georgia (4-0)
The Bulldogs have a better SEC draw than Texas and others, though there will be some more difficult games down the stretch. Saturday wasn’t one of those days as Georgia routed Oklahoma despite a pedestrian day for Gunner Stockton and the Bulldogs offense.
3. Miami (4-0)
The Hurricanes have already won two conference games at home and took a break from ACC play to crush Central Michigan on Saturday. They play Clemson on the road and Florida State at home the next two weeks. Remember when that would have been a difficult challenge?
4. Indiana (4-0)
It’s tempting to remove the Hoosiers in favor of Ohio State or even Texas despite the tough roads ahead, but the defending champs remain for now despite an uninspiring win over Northwestern. The Wildcats found some holes in the Indiana defense in the second half by utilizing the mobility of Aidan Chiles. The Hoosiers will need to get that cleaned up to keep this spot.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
