Illinois Football: Everything the Illini need to make the College Football Playoff

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MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 29: Max Duggan #15 of the TCU Horned Frogs rushes the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on October 29, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

8. TCU falters down the stretch

Loss at Texas on November 12
and/or loss at Baylor on November 19
and loss in Big 12 Championship
2 losses – Eliminated

Now we are starting to get into the teams who are upset about not being in the top four of the first College Football Playoff rankings. The first team we get to is the TCU Horned Frogs.

TCU has been the darlings of the college football world this season. They are 8-0, so it is going to be tough for Illinois to hop them in the College Football Playoff rankings.

I think we need two losses for the Horned Frogs down the stretch. They don’t have an easy schedule the rest of the way out. I think TCU beats Texas Tech, but then they go on the road to No. 24 Texas. That could easily be a loss. The following game is then on the road against Baylor, which is another tough contest.

TCU needs to fall to either Texas or Baylor. Losing to both teams would be optimal, but I am trying to be a little more realistic. One loss is fine at this point. That would put TCU in the Big 12 Championship game.

Which team TCU would take on in the Big 12 Championship game is a mystery. Kansas State is projected to play them right now, but with my scenario, I have the Wildcats losing another game down the stretch. So, TCU’s opponent would be either Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, or Texas. Whoever it is, they need to beat the Horned Frogs.

A loss in the regular season and in the conference title would give TCU two losses. That would put them out of contention for the College Football Playoff.

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