Week 11 turned the College Football Playoff upside down Saturday, opening all sorts of new possibilities for the four-team playoff field that will be chosen in three weeks.
No. 2-ranked Michigan lost to Iowa on a short game-ending field goal, as the Hawkeyes held UM to 201 total yards in a 14-13 win. No. 3-ranked Clemson fell to Pitt on a 48-yard field goal with six seconds left, while No. 4-ranked Washington was beaten more soundly by USC, 26-13.
What does it all mean?
It was vitally important for No. 6-ranked Louisville (9-1), which is trying to climb back into the playoff despite a head-to-head loss to Clemson and a remaining schedule that is weaker than that of other contenders. The Cardinals had a scare themselves in a 44-12 win over Wake Forest, entering the fourth quarter trailing 12-10.
Now, No. 1-ranked Alabama is the only undefeated Power Five team in the nation, leaving several one-loss teams and even some two-loss teams in position for a playoff spot. Michigan and Ohio State play on Nov. 26 in a game that could have a playoff berth at stake, though the winner would still have to win the Big Ten title game.
The CFP selection committee will release its third round of rankings on Tuesday with a tricky task. There are several one-loss teams for them to reevaluate, including Clemson, Washington, Michigan, Ohio State and Louisville. There's a much more muddled picture to sort through after the chaos of Saturday.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
