Sports

Setting up Championship Saturday in college football

December 6, 2014 at 6:46AM
Alabama quarterback Blake Sims (6) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Auburn defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )
Alabama quarterback Blake Sims (6) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Auburn defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson ) (Brian Stensaas — ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Setting up Championship Saturday

Let's call it a 10-team race for the four spots. A look at the contenders:
Alabama (CFP Rank No. 1)

Alabama quarterback Blake Sims (6) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Auburn defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )
(Brian Stensaas — ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: Win Saturday vs. Missouri

How they could be left out: Lose Saturday, and might the CFP be SEC free?

Oregon (2)

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Corvallis, Or., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Troy Wayrynen)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: Friday night's rout all but seals it

How they could be left out: Voters have a mind of their own

TCU (3)

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FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2014, file photo, TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) passes to a teammate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. Boykin, the only TCU player ever with a 200-yard passing game, 100-yard receiving game and 100-yard rushing game in the same season is now focused only on being the quarterback in TCU's new up-tempo offense, with the No. 5 Horned Frogs in playoff contention and him in the Heisman conversation. (AP Photo/Orlin Wag
(Brian Stensaas — ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: Win over Gophers is helping cause

How they could be left out: Loss to Baylor matters in the end

Florida State (4)

Florida State Seminoles running back Karlos Williams (9) dives across the goal line scoring a touchdown against the Boston College defense in the first quarter Nov. 22, 2014 at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. (Octavio Jones/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: Win Saturday, and likely in despite ugliness

How they could be left out: Despite 12-0 start, loss Saturday ends it

Ohio State (5)

Ohio State running back Jalin Marshall (17) scores a touchdown against Indiana during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 42-27. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: One upset, and victory, away

How they could be left out: Underdogs vs. Wisconsin on Saturday

Baylor (6)

Baylor running back Johnny Jefferson scores a touchdown against Texas Tech linebacker Sam Eguavoen (13) with the assistance of offensive lineman Patrick Lawrence (77) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: They're screaming, 'We beat TCU!'

How they could be left out: Could lose to tough Kansas State

Arizona (7)

Arizona running back Nick Wilson (28) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(Brian Stensaas — ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: The world turns upside down

How they could be left out: Friday's loss settles it

Kansas State (9)

Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters (15) looks for an open receiver as West Virginia's Kyle Rose (93) closes in on him during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: Could take down TCU

How they could be left out: Needs two other teams to lose

Georgia Tech (11)

The Georgia Tech bench reacts after defensive back D.J. White (28) intercepted a pass from Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason to seal a 30-24 overtime win in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/David Tulis)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: A blowout of FSU could help

How they could be left out: FSU hasn't lost since Nov. 24, 2012

Wisconsin (13)

Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) high stepped away from Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun in the forth quarter for a first down Saturday November 29, 2014 in Madison, Wisconsin .
(Dml - Star Tribune Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How they might get in: Needs to pound Ohio State

How they could be left out: Needs all heck to break loose

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