UCF dominated Cincinnati 38-13 on Saturday to win its 23rd straight game. Despite such a streak, the chances of the Knights securing a College Football Playoff spots are dismal. Unless…Armageddon reigns down on the FBS like the Old Testament plagues of yore. Could it happen? Maybe. Should we want it to happen? ABSOLUTELY.
There have been many years where controversy and shenanigans have seeped into the national championship picture. There was the time in 2003 when USC was ranked first in both polls, but still somehow managed not to qualify for the BCS championship game. Who could forget 2011 when Nick Saban ranked Oklahoma State fourth to give his Alabama team a better chance of making the BCS championship game.
[divider]MORE: One Reason Bad Teams Should Be Thankful
MORE: UCF Plays Angrier Than Any Other Team[divider]
True chaos, however. Real downright, up is down, left is right, black is white chaos occurred in 2007. That year, even on the last day of the college football regular season, nobody knew who would be the final two teams. In fact, LSU was ranked seventh on "Championship Saturday" before catapulting to second after an SEC Championship win. That year was so bananas, at one point Kansas–yes, really–was ranked second in the country.
Which brings us back to 2018. With apologies to my colleague Andrew Doughty, he is–shall we say–misinformed. The best program in Florida still has a shot to make the playoffs. For the 2017 National Champions to make it, however, the Knights are going to need complete and utter pandemonium.
History should be on UCF's side. If the Knight finish the season undefeated heading into their bowl game, they will be riding a 25-game win streak. EVERY SINGLE PROGRAM that has won 25 in a row has won a national title. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
Unfortunately, for UCF, we live in a different time and space these days. So urge for chaos. Breathe in disarray. Let the madness begin.
[divider]
Armageddon Scenario To Get UCF A College Football Playoff Berth
1) Alabama Wins Out
The Tide are practically a shoo-in at this point. If somehow they were to lose two straight games, they would still get picked over UCF. So Roll Tide.
2) Clemson Loses Its Last Two Games or Wins Out
One or two losses for Clemson still gets them a College Football Playoff berth over UCF. While other teams might sneak in ahead of them, all we care about is how they rate up against UCF. If Clemson somehow loses their ability to use their brain in a correct and productive manner, however, and loses to South Carolina and Pittsburgh, in the ACC championship game. That still leaves three spots open. If they win out, two spots remain.
3) Notre Dame Wins Out
The Irish schedule has been too daunting, even with a loss to toothless USC. They will get 100 votes out of 100 if deciding between one-loss Notre Dame and undefeated UCF. (One or two College Football Playoff berths remain)
4) Michigan Loses to Ohio State
With only one game remaining, a loss to the Buckeyes would give the Wolverines two losses on the season and prevent them from playing for a conference championship. Usually, a death knell for a College Football Playoff berth, unless you reside in the SEC. (One or two College Football playoff berths remain)
5) Ohio State Beats Michigan, Loses to Northwestern
The Buckeyes have been hanging around the top 10 despite looking just above average their last four games. A loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten title game would effectively end their title hopes and send them to a New Year's Six Bowl.
6) Oklahoma Loses to West Virginia, West Virginia Loses To Texas
Kyler Murray has put up eerily similar numbers to Baker Mayfield's Heisman campaign from a year ago. The Sooners are positioned for a College Football Playoff berth. Should they lose to West Virginia, however, that would eliminate them from the Big 12 Championship and also from the College Football Playoff. A Texas win over Kansas would give the Longhorns the other Big 12 conference title game entry. With losses to Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Maryland, Texas does not have enough gusto to surpass UCF. (The Big 12 eats itself, and two spots still remain!)
7) Washington State Loses to Washington
The Palouse drowns in the tears of thousands of Cougar fans. Washington State's best team in nearly two decades fails to make the Pac-12 championship game, ipso facto the College Football Playoff.
[divider]
Should all these scenarios happen, it would leave two (or three, if Clemson doesn't incur a massive lobotomy the next three weeks) undefeated teams and one spot open for the next qualified team. While a one-loss team from a power conference would be enough to displace UCF in the rankings, this scenario would mean it would be almost impossible to leave out an undefeated, 25-game win-streaking UCF over a 2-loss Power 5 conference.
So embrace the chaos, let it be your friend. Why should March get all the Madness. After all, a little craziness can be fun. Or at least entertaining.
[divider]
NEXT: College Football Playoff Predictions
