Tom Fornelli's CFP Vibe Check: Ohio State switches to survival mode in fight to make College Football Playoff

Key Points:

• Ohio State, historically a consistent College Football Playoff (CFP) participant, faces uncertainty this season after a loss to USC, compounded by a freshman quarterback's struggles and a challenging upcoming schedule including Oregon and Michigan.
• USC's upset win over Ohio State boosts their playoff chances significantly, but skepticism remains due to their inconsistent performance and tough upcoming games against Indiana and UCLA.
• Wake Forest is gaining attention for dominating weaker opponents, though their lack of signature wins and conference prestige may keep them out of the top 12 CFP rankings despite strong recent performances.
• Miami remains the top CFP contender with an 8-0 record and high odds to make the playoff, but narrow wins and defensive vulnerabilities, especially ahead of a key game against Notre Dame, raise questions about their dominance.
• The Big 12 race is clarifying with Utah leading and Texas Tech and Iowa State making key wins; meanwhile, Boise State narrowly won a chaotic game to maintain Pac-12 control, though quarterback injury concerns could affect their playoff prospects.