Michigan Returns to College Football Playoff After Victorious Win Over Ohio State

The 82 teams that will be playing in the college football postseason have been announced. That’s the simple part of deciphering the bowl projections. The real challenge lies in predicting how the final weekend of the regular season will unfold to determine the top four teams for the playoffs.

One significant change this week is Michigan’s return to the semifinals on the strength of its defeat of Ohio State, essentially securing the Big Ten title. Although Iowa is next, it’s difficult to envision a Wolverines loss. The victor of the Oregon vs. Washington Pac-12 title game is likely to secure a spot. The forecasts have been favoring a Ducks win over the Huskies for weeks.

Florida State appeared to be a victim of an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis, but a remarkable, come-from-behind performance by Tate Rodemaker at Florida positions the Seminoles well for the ACC title game against Louisville. Lastly, Georgia remains the No. 1 seed ahead of a showdown with Alabama that could be more gripping than anticipated.

Are surprises on the horizon? This weekend typically delivers unexpected results, so it wouldn’t be a shock if things don’t follow the projected plan.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Who’s been hired and fired this cycle

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: How chaos could play out in Week 14

Further down the order, we do know that both James Madison and Jacksonville State − both in the second year of transitioning to the Bowl Subdivision − will be making their first bowl appearances after not enough six-win teams were available. Minnesota also gets in with five wins due to the highest APR among teams in consideration.

Reminder: Some conferences may not fulfill their bowl allotment. Asterisks denote a replacement pick.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bowl projections: Michigan rejoins College Football Playoff field