College football bowl projections: Playoff field stays in tact as Texas, Penn State rise

Erick Smith | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption College Football Playoff rankings: Can Georgia stun Alabama? USA TODAY Sports' Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg react to the latest College Football Playoff rankings and ponder the chaos that could ensue if Georgia can upset Alabama in two weeks.

Is there going to be any drama in the race for the College Football Playoff?

Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame have been in the top four since the committee's first rankings last month and nothing seems destined to change their status in the final two weeks. The Crimson Tide looks to have the hardest road with Auburn and Georgia still left on their schedule, but it's possible they could afford a loss and still make the field.

Michigan moved into the fourth spot three weeks ago and shows no sign of giving up its place. The Wolverines will meet No. 10 Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday. A win and a subsequent defeat of Northwestern should lock things up for Jim Harbaugh's team. The only mystery would be if they would get in ahead if Alabama loses.

So where does that leave the rest of the bowl race? There continues to be movement in the New Year's Six spots. Rising this week are Texas and Penn State as Florida and West Virginia fall out.

The Longhorns are peaking at the right time and appear to have the best chance to win the Big 12. The Nittany Lions should finish 9-3 and should take a spot way from the Gators, who still must win at Florida State.

The Mountaineers host Oklahoma this week. A win sets up a rematch with Texas. A loss in either game likely sends them to the Alamo Bowl.

A reminder: Some conferences may not fulfill their bowl allotment. Asterisks denote a replacement pick.