ATLANTA — As the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs fell to the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide 27-24 in the SEC Championship, chatter is beginning about what the Dawgs' future holds.
Despite UGA being ranked atop college football, the College Playoff Field is arguably more competitive this year than in any past season.
With undefeated Washington essentially punching their ticket to the CFP Friday night with a Pac-12 Championship win over Oregon and Texas making a strong CFP case after winning the Big 12 title game over Oklahoma State Saturday, there are several other factors that could round out the field.
With No. 2 Michigan's win over No. 16 Iowa in the Big Ten championship Saturday night, it seemingly puts the Wolverines automatically in. That potentially leaves the final spot to the SEC champions, Alabama, the Big 12 champions, Texas or potentially a now one-loss, non-conference champion Georgia team.
The other factor that is undefeated Florida State. While they beat Louisville in the ACC Championship Saturday night, it was in a less-than-convincing fashion. Many see them as a team that is left out as their starting quarterback, Jordan Travis, suffered a season-ending injury several weeks ago. College football fans make the argument that Florida State doesn't deserve to get in over Alabama, Texas and/or Georgia, as the Seminoles would likely struggle against the current top teams without their star-studded signal caller.
Here are several possible scenarios for how the Bulldogs could still sneak into the CFP after they lost to Alabama or even scenarios in which they would likely be eliminated.
UGA's College Football Playoff Scenarios
Scenario No. 1
If Georgia had beaten Alabama, they would have been a shoo-in to the College Football Playoff. But now that they lost, the following scenarios are what they would be presented with below.
Scenario No. 2
Michigan loses to Iowa, Florida State loses to Louisville, and the committee takes Georgia with the No. 4 spot in the CFP.
Result: Georgia IN
UPDATE: With both Michigan and Florida State's wins, this scenario is seemingly squashed.
Scenario No. 3
Michigan loses to Iowa, Florida State beats Louisville, and the committee opts to select Georgia over Texas and Ohio State for the No. 4 spot.
Result: Georgia IN
UPDATE: With Michigan's win, this scenario is no longer in play.
Scenario No. 4
Michigan and/or Florida State win their respective conference championship and Georgia still sits behind Michigan, Washington, Florida State, Alabama and maybe even Texas. This scenario is the strongest possibility, although Georgia fans may not want to hear it.
Result: Georgia OUT
Scenario No. 5
The CFP committee decides that, regardless of any other outcome, Georgia is one of the top four best teams in college football, and they get in. In 2017, Alabama never even played in the SEC Championship but still made it into the College Football Playoff over the SEC Championship runner-up. A No. 1-ranked team on championship weekend has never fallen out of the top four in the CFP era.
Result: Georgia IN