If you want to call it this, then the SEC Championship Game is a College Football Playoff preview round. Unless the top 3 falter in any given manner, the top three are locked. What will be the real kicker is how the 4th slot plays out. I mean, it's like the "bubble teams" in college basketball- some will get in, others will see their hopes burst.
This will bring up some interesting scenarios. Consider the following...
* Alabama
Many feel Alabama will win it all again. But what if Alabama lost to Georgia in the SEC Championship game? Many still feel the Crimson Tide have done enough to remain a favorite to win the National Championship.
* Clemson
A few seasons ago, it was Clemson who bested Alabama to become National Champions. I am a bit surprised Notre Dame hasn't leap frogged Clemson. So maybe people bought into the Tigers more than the Fighting Irish. Clemson vs. Notre Dame may still be a great game should this be the Playoff match. However, what if Clemson gets knocked off in the ACC Championship game against Pittsburgh? I think if Pittsburgh defeats Clemson, Clemson may drop down to No. 4 or even be among the First Two Out. And then if that happens, then this would be the opening Oklahoma and/or Ohio State need to crash the Playoff party. This is granted that Oklahoma and Ohio State win their games. Oklahoma meets Texas; Ohio State meets Northwestern. Granted Clemson loses, Oklahoma or Ohio State could slot into the Playoff. But if Clemson, Oklahoma, and Ohio State all lose... I feel Ohio State may fill the 4th slot. It may all depend on how severe the losses are for those teams.
* Notre Dame
Notre Dame is usually a glamour team, much like the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, or the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. The good news for Notre Dame is that they don't have to play anybody. So basically, Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia can tackle each others' brains out while they just sit back and watch. Notre Dame might move up in the final rankings if Alabama and/or Clemson lose this weekend. Other than that, the Fighting Irish are a Playoff lock. Only way they'd be out of the Playoff is if the institutionally ban themselves from Playoff play.
* Georgia
This is another chance for Georgia to show they are among the best teams in the country. For Georgia, this seems like an Elimination Game for the Bulldogs. If Georgia loses to Alabama, they're done Playoff-wise. So Georgia is pretty much going to have to win to stay in. It is almost like a Play-In game. You know- win and you're in. A lot of people probably think Georgia will get run over by Alabama. It's going to be tough to try to stay in. The fourth spot of the College Football Playoff is a hot spot to be in. I think Georgia has to win to stay in the Playoff. Now... what if Georgia, Oklahoma, and Ohio State all lose? I am not really sure if either Oklahoma or Ohio State will fill in slot No. 4 should all three teams lose.
That's how I feel about the top 4 in the Playoff. But let me envision an extreme scenario...
How Can UCF Get In?
Not many people are regarding the fact that UCF is undefeated. Not many people care, either. They do deserve some consideration. I mean, the Golden Knights are mostly a "who cares?" mid-major to some people. UCF will meet Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship. If calamity among the Top 4 happens, then Central Florida needs to be among the top 4. But if you ask me, I don't think the Playoff committee would give too much consideration into inviting UCF into the College Football Playoff. And to me, this is going to be the catalyst to spark the conversation of expanding the College Football Playoff to eight teams (or at least six) rather than just four. I still think the CFP will eventually become an eight-team playoff; and once it gets there- STOP! Perfect! Either way, it's going to be very difficult for UCF to even have a sniff of the Playoff rankings.
If the College Football Playoff field were expanded to eight, then positions 5-8 currently are Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan, and UCF. The "First Two Out" here would be Florida and LSU at present.
Either way, this is going to be a crazy week where "survival of the fittest" will really come into play. Who will win to try to survive and have a chance to play for the National Championship on the NCAA FBS level? Let the games begin.