Of the 20 teams still alive for the College Football Playoff entering Week 8, five will be eliminated in Week 8, including two Pac-12 teams and the loser of Michigan–Michigan State.
Entering Week 8, the SEC has the most teams in playoff contention (six), followed by the Big Ten (four) and ACC, Big 12 and Pac-12 (three apiece). The Big 12 is the only team who won't lose a team this weekend.
Here are the five teams who'll be eliminated from contention in Week 8:
[divider]
Colorado
Colorado's already-slim hopes are crushed with this weekend's trip to Washington, where they've never won as a Pac-12 member.
Had the Buffs beat USC in Week 7, this would be an opportunity to establish themselves as a legitimate playoff contender. Instead, last week's loss combined with a loss in Seattle officially eliminates Colorado.
[divider]
Michigan State
Michigan State has won eight of their last 10 meetings vs. Michigan, including last year's four-point victory in Ann Arbor. The series shifts back to East Lansing in a game that will either unleash the fury on Jim Harbaugh and keep the Spartans' slim playoff hopes alive or keep the Wolverines in the playoff hunt and end the Spartans' prayer.
Michigan 24, Michigan State 20.
[divider]
Mississippi State
Mississippi State has the worst playoff chances of any of the 20 remaining teams. They're 2.5 games back of Alabama and don't have a great win yet. However, with trips to LSU and Alabama (and a home game vs. Texas A&M) on the schedule, the Bulldogs are not officially out.
They're done with a loss in Baton Rouge this weekend.
[divider]
NC State
NC State's 11-game regular-season schedule is weak, but if they beat Clemson on the road in Week 8, the Wolfpack have a clear and favorable path to the playoff.
Without a win, they have no chance as a one-loss team with only 11 regular-season games.
[divider]
Washington State
The winner of Oregon at Washington State carries the Pac-12's slim playoff hopes. With a weak non-conference schedule, loss to USC and few opportunities for résumé wins, Washington State will struggle to make the field as a one-loss team.
As a two-loss team, like every other Pac-12 team, they have no shot
