College Football Playoff Snubs: 5 Teams Facing Disappointment in 2023
As the College Football Playoff (CFP) expands to include more teams, competition ramps up and the stakes climb even higher. Sure, a 12-team field should, in theory, open more doors, but let’s be honest—it doesn’t mean every deserving squad will get their shot.
Even teams with impressive records could end up left out. Here’s a look at five college football teams that might find themselves in that exact situation this season.
The Utah Utes: A Season of High Hopes and High Stakes
The Utah Utes are buzzing with excitement, especially with quarterback Devon Dampier back in the mix. There’s a lot to like, but their Big 12 journey isn’t going to be easy.
Challenges in the Big 12
Utah’s schedule is loaded: Houston, BYU, Arizona, TCU—it’s a gauntlet. If they reach the Big 12 championship, they’ll probably face Texas Tech, the only Big 12 team to hit the CFP last year after beating an 11-win BYU team.
And let’s not forget, they’re doing all this with a first-time head coach. The talent’s there, but wow, the margin for error is razor thin. Their path to the CFP? It’s a tough one.
Auburn Tigers: A New Era with Tough Road Ahead
Auburn’s also rolling out a new head coach, Alex Golesh. There’s some real talent on this roster, but the SEC is never forgiving.
SEC Gauntlet
The Tigers open against Baylor in Atlanta, then head home for Southern Miss. But then things get wild: Florida, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ole Miss—three of those on the road.
Throw in trips to Mississippi State and the Iron Bowl, and it’s honestly one of the nastiest schedules out there. Auburn fans might be in for some fun moments, but CFP dreams? That’s a steep climb.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: A Season of Uncertainty
Oklahoma State’s got a new head coach, Eric Morris, and a bunch of new faces on the field. There’s a path to success, but it’s not exactly clear-cut.
Key Matchups
The Cowboys have a big one against Oregon—pulling off an upset there would be huge. But let’s be real, that’s a tough ask.
They also have to go on the road to West Virginia, Houston, and Arizona State, plus a matchup with Texas Tech. In the Big 12, there’s just not much room for slip-ups.
Michigan Wolverines: A Season of High Expectations
Michigan’s expected to be good—maybe really good—but their schedule is no cakewalk. There are some games that could definitely shake things up.
High-Stakes Games
They’ll host Oklahoma, Penn State, and Indiana, which sounds manageable. But then there are tough road trips to Oregon and Ohio State.
To lock in a CFP spot, Michigan probably needs double-digit wins. Not impossible, but no one’s calling it easy.
Florida Gators: A Season of Potential and Peril
The Florida Gators have a new head coach and, honestly, there’s some hope for a big step forward. The catch? Their schedule is brutal.
Daunting Schedule
Florida’s got to go to Auburn, then host Ole Miss. After that, it’s trips to Missouri and Texas in Austin.
They’ll also play Georgia in Jacksonville, face Oklahoma, and finish against Florida State. Getting through all that and making the CFP? That’s a tall order, to say the least.
The Harsh Reality of the CFP
The expanded College Football Playoff field means more chances for teams, but it’s not all sunshine. More opportunities, sure, but also a brand new set of headaches.
Utah, Auburn, Oklahoma State, Michigan, and Florida have plenty of talent. Still, their schedules are brutal, and there’s almost no room for mistakes.
Fans are going to be glued to every moment, wondering if these teams can actually beat the odds. Can they really make it to the CFP, or will those tough schedules trip them up?
If you want to dig deeper, the full article has more details and analysis over at Fansided.
