<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4YK0J6_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4YK0J6_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>The No. 11 Missouri Tigers improved to 4-0 on the season, but avoided disaster in an ugly 23-20 double-overtime win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. As a result, Mizzou dropped four spots in the latest AP Top 25 poll. That’s where they also fall in this latest edition in this “Race for the CFP” entering Week 5. Mizzou is still in (for now), and that’s due to their strength of schedule improving. Buffalo (3-1) beat then-No. 23 Northern Illinois and Boston College improved to 3-1 on the season with a win over Michigan State. That certainly helps. Though as they enter their bye week, Mizzou is back on the bubble with plenty more to prove. Let’s check in on our latest projections. <h2>Top Four Seeds (Conference Champions): </h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3JxivQ_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3JxivQ_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1920" height="1440" ><ol><li>Georgia: The Bulldogs come in as a two-point favorite in Saturday night’s showdown with Alabama. It’s essentially a tossup in Tuscaloosa. </li><li>Ohio State: The Buckeyes are off to a 3-0 start after a 49-14 win over Marshall and open Big Ten play at Michigan State on Saturday. Ryan Day’s team currently leads the country with 52.3 PPG. </li><li>Miami: Cam Ward and the Canes are second in the country with 51 PPG. “The U” open ACC play at home vs Virginia Tech on Friday night. </li><li>Utah: Without Cam Rising, the Utes improved to 4-0 on the season with a statement road win at Oklahoma State in their Big 12 opener. </li></ol><h2>Top Contenders (Seeds 5-8): </h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JwG4t_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JwG4t_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1920" height="1280" >5. Texas: In his first start, Arch Manning went 15/29 with 257 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-3 win over UL Monroe. The Longhorns’ win over Michigan is looking better as well. They open up SEC play on Saturday at home vs Mississippi State. 6. : Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers picked up a 25-15 road win over then No. 15 Oklahoma to help strengthen their resume. The Vols are looking like a complete team right now. 7. Ole Miss: Jaxson Dart continues to put up big numbers in a 52-13 win over Georgia Southern. The Rebels open up SEC play on Saturday at home vs Kentucky. 8. Alabama: It’s been a good start to the Kalen Deboer era at Alabama, but it gets real on Saturday night vs Georgia. <h2>Bubble Teams (IN): </h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3r96xS_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3r96xS_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1920" height="1281" >9. Oregon: Dillon Gabriel and the 3-0 Ducks are coming off a bye week. They’re huge favorites in their Big Ten debut at UCLA late Saturday night. 10: Penn State: After a 56-0 win over Kent State, the Nittany Lions are 3-0 and host No. 19 Illinois in their Big Ten opener on Saturday night in Happy Valley. 11. Missouri: The bye week comes at the right time for the Tigers. A lot of things to fix, but 4-0 is 4-0. <h2>Group of Five Team </h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1eDeXy_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1eDeXy_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1920" height="1280" >Boise State: After a 56-14 win over Portland State, the Broncos come in at No. 25 in the latest AP poll and host Washington State on late Saturday night. Ashton Jeanty continues his underrated Heisman campaign with three-straight 100-yard plus rushing games. <h2>Bubble Teams (Outside Looking IN): </h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=03aD1Z_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=03aD1Z_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1920" height="1280" >Michigan: A loss to Texas obviously isn’t going to hurt the Wolverines’ resume, and they got back on track with a 27-24 win over USC to start Big Ten play. Clemson: After the 34-3 season opening loss to Georgia, the Tigers have scored 125 points in their last two games against Appalachian State and N.C. State.Iowa State: The No. 18 Cyclones are off to a 3-0 start and their schedule is favorable. They don’t play a ranked team until the final two weeks of the season against Utah and Kansas State. Louisville/Notre Dame: The winner of No. 15 Louisville vs No. 16 Notre Dame on Saturday moves closer to playoff contention. <h2>Dark Horses/Sleepers: </h2><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3sAoCm_0vkwjcGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3sAoCm_0vkwjcGZ00" width="1920" height="1280" >Illinois: The Fighting Illini come in at No. 19 and are 4-0 for the first time since 2011 after a road win over Nebraska, but a huge test awaits them at Penn State. BYU: The Cougars are 4-0 and enter the AP Top 25 at No. 22 after dismantling 38-9 last week. They’re at Baylor this Saturday. Washington State: The Cougars are 4-0 after a wild 54-52 double OT win over San Jose State. They’re one spot out of the latest AP Top 25 poll heading into a big game at Boise State on Saturday. Boston College: The Eagles improved to 3-1 on the season with a 23-19 over Michigan State and have the recipe to make a run in the ACC. The only ranked team remaining on BC’s upcoming schedule is No. 15 Louisville on October 25th. Here is my projected 12-team playoff entering Week 3 of the season:<ol><li>Georgia</li><li>Ohio State</li><li>Miami</li><li>Utah</li></ol>5. Texas vs 12. Boise State6. Tennessee vs 11. Missouri7. Ole Miss vs 10. Penn State8. Alabama vs 9. Oregon CFP Final Four: Texas vs Georgia, Tennessee vs Ohio StateCFP National Championship: Texas vs Ohio StateNational Champion: Texas</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Race for the CFP Week 5: Mizzou Drops to the Bubble

The No. 11 Missouri Tigers improved to 4-0 on the season, but avoided disaster in an ugly 23-20 double-overtime win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. As a result, Mizzou dropped four spots in the latest AP Top 25 poll. That’s where they also fall in this latest edition in this “Race...