College Football Eliminator 2016-17: Week 5

And then there were 30.

Not even halfway through the college football season, we have eliminated almost 100 teams from playoff contention. Some big names went down this week, including Florida State, who was one of the Four Playoff Teams after the second week of the eliminator. Three weeks later, they have little to no chance of sneaking in with two losses that don't look great on the resumé. Ten other teams were killed off this week from last week's 41, leaving just 30 teams left with four spots to fill, meaning 26 more teams will be eliminated over the course of seven long weeks.

The Four Playoff Teams

Alabama ran over Kentucky and Ohio State demolished Rutgers, enough said. Louisville and Michigan were the other two teams in last week's top four. Their games were certainly more anticipated, both being match-ups between squads from the top ten. The Clemson defense found a way to disrupt Heisman front-runner Lamar Jackson in Death Valley, pulling off a 42-36 victory, and upending them from the top spot in the ACC in the process. Michigan had better luck in their game: the Wolverines used a fourth-quarter touchdown to outlast Wisconsin in a defensive battle with a 14-7 final score. So Louisville out, Clemson in. #3 Clemson, #1 Alabama, #4 Michigan, and #2 Ohio State are my four teams right now, but they all have some tests left before they can clinch playoff spots. Michigan and Ohio State likely won't both make the playoff, for they are in the same division and play each other (the greatest rivalry in college sports) in the final game of the season, anyway. Houston and Washington were very impressive in their wins this week, so they sit just outside this prestigious group.

Outside Looking In

As much as I want to penalize Houston for their weak schedule, they have that Oklahoma win under their belt and they are still undefeated. Who knew Houston-Louisville would be the game to watch this year? If the Cougars can beat Navy in Annapolis, their road to the playoff gets much easier up until they meet Heisman front-runner Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals. Washington! I apologize for ever doubting you. The Huskies are here to stay, folks. Their blowout win over Stanford showed America that they aren't messing around on the west coast. Texas A&M stays here after beating South Carolina 24-13, and Miami becomes the new addition to the elite eight after winning their first ACC game against Georgia Tech, moving to 4-0 in the process. In order, the Outsiders Looking In are #6 Houston, #5 Washington, #8 Texas A&M, and #10 Miami.

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In the Hunt

Power Five

#13 Baylor - The Big 12 front-runners have stayed in the hunt for another week. They were down 42-28 early in the fourth quarter, but managed to score 17 straight points on two touchdowns and a last-second field goal to secure the victory in Ames over Iowa State. The real loser was Iowa State's uniform combination of red jerseys and charcoal pants.

Maryland - Give the Terrapins some credit for beating a Big Ten team by 43 points. It boggles my mind how you can rank a 3-2 Ole Miss team and not a 4-0 Maryland team, but I digress.

#12 Nebraska - Believe it or not, the Cornhuskers were down by six points in the fourth quarter of their game against Illinois. The Illini couldn't even play the time-management game, punting with less than four minutes to go in the game and allowing a rushing touchdown to go down by two possessions rather than getting the ball back. The Cornhuskers sit atop the Big Ten West during their bye this week after Wisconsin's loss to Michigan.

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#9 Tennessee - This season has just been a roller coaster of emotions for the Volunteers, hasn't it?

#22 West Virginia - Bye week before Texas Tech this week.

Group of Five

Air Force - Air Force-Boise State will be the best Group of Five match-up for the rest of the season. They face off in Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.

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#19 Boise State - Both Broncos have a real shot at getting into the playoff committee's heads this year.

Western Michigan - My favorite bandwagon. 

On the Fence

Arizona State - Redshirt freshman Brady White must make his first career start against a stout Bruins Defense. At least he'll have the support of the home crowd.

#16 Arkansas - Alabama might eliminate the Razorbacks on Saturday. If you can't handle the Texas A&M, there's a small chance you'll be able to hang with the Elephants.

#21 Colorado - The Buffaloes' organization had a scare when a machete-wielding man broke into the football offices this week. Hopefully, Colorado will be able to avoid any distractions coming into their game against USC.

#18 Florida - Did you watch their mediocre win over Vanderbilt? LSU may be the final straw for the Gators if they can't beat them in the Swamp, and I will be in attendance; my first college football game of the year.

Indiana - How 'bout them Hoosiers! They earned the Old Brass Spittoon after an upset win over Michigan State, knocking them out of playoff contention in the process. My question is: How are you going to lose to Wake Forest, then decide to beat Michigan State the next week? Just make it easy for the eliminator and lose to Ohio State next week, please and thank you.

#7 Louisville - The hype is still real. Louisville is still good. Just not as good as everyone thought.

Minnesota - Everyone who plays Penn State hasn't collectively decided not to mess with the Penn State kicker? Interesting. Jabrill Peppers made that business decision last Saturday. Minnesota still has Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin on the schedule. Things aren't looking up for the Gophers.

North Carolina - I apologize to all Tar Heel fans for joking about what seemed to be an impending loss to Florida State. Not only did you beat them on the road, but you also eliminated them from playoff contention. Just one thing, though. Mike's Helpful Tip #274: Do NOT tomahawk chop in Tally, especially after upsetting them on a game-winning field goal as time expires. There will be a group of fans waiting outside your team bus for you with spears or something. I'm looking at you, North Carolina kicker.

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Stanford - "My name is Stanford and I can't make the playoff because I can't even win my own division huhhhh" - University of Washington frat guy, probably

Texas Tech - Kansas made it a nine-point game in the third quarter of Thursday's game, but the Red Raiders scored consistently throughout the night (14 14 13 14 by quarter) with the help of two arms. Patrick Mahomes (pictured) threw 4 touchdown passes before landing hard on this throwing shoulder and coming out for the rest of the night. Backup quarterback Nic Shimonek came into the game and proceeded to pick up where Mahomes left off, throwing for 4 touchdowns of his own and coasting to a 55-19 victory. The question for Tech is the long-term effect of Mahomes' injury. They visit Kansas State on Saturday.

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Utah - It was seriously pathetic how the Utes couldn't score against Cal on their final drive of a 28-23 loss. They got seven plays inside the ten-yard line. Seven plays. A defensive pass interference call on fourth-and-goal moved the chains for the Utes inside the final minute, but they were stood up on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line and the clock ran out.

Virginia Tech - The Hokies are the only team left in the eliminator that had a bye this pa week. They will use it for some extra practice and studying before a meeting with North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Wake Forest - The Demon Deacon's secondary was non-existent on Saturday. If they can just recruit some guys who don't mind playing defense instead of offense, maybe Wake will have a shot at winning a real game in the future. They play Syracuse this week, so they will either move to a somewhat impressive 5-1 start, or lose and be eliminated. Florida State is the opponent in ten days, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

#11 Wisconsin - The Badgers couldn't manage more than one score in the Big House. Seven point usually won't win you football games. They have a bye this week before they try to turn things around against Ohio State.

Eliminated

Florida State - There must be a reward for the North Carolina kicker's right leg.

Georgia - Yeahhhh...no one wanted this to happen.

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Georgia Tech - Mark Richt knows the Yellow Jacket triple-threat offense too well, and beat it with a hammer. Again.

Kansas State - How do you blow a 13 point-lead to a team that couldn't score a touchdown for three quarters? Ask Bill Snyder.

Memphis - I don't want to eliminate Memphis, but this was a great test and their strength of schedule is pretty weak other than this Ole Miss contest that they dropped by twenty points.

Michigan State - 2 games back against with the Buckeyes left to play. You're done.

Navy - If you don't think the Midshipmen are out, let Houston do the honors this week.

San Diego State - South Alabama beat San Diego State. San Diego State beat Cal. Cal beat Texas. Texas beat Notre Dame. Therefore, South Alabama is better than Notre Dame.

TCU - The TCU-Oklahoma game was supposed to be the biggest game of the year in the Big 12. It happened, but no one was really paying attention. The Horned Frogs are out with a whimper.

Texas - Here's to the Longhorns beating Oklahoma and Charlie Strong keeping his job again somehow.

Toledo - Credit the Rockets for staying in the game against BYU, leading until the last play of the game. They are still near the top of the MAC and a dark horse to sneak into a New Year's Day bowl.

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Eliminated in Week 4

Arizona, Army, Central Michigan, Georgia Southern, LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, South Florida, UCLA

Eliminated in Week 3

Auburn, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Duke, East Carolina, Illinois, Iowa, Marshall, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Southern Miss

Eliminated in Week 2

Akron, Ball State, BYU, California, Connecticut, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, NC State, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Old Dominion, Purdue, SMU, South Alabama, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Troy, Tulsa, UCF, UNLV, Utah State, UTEP, UTSA, Western Kentucky, Wyoming

Eliminated in Week 1

Appalachian State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Charlotte, FIU, Fresno State, Georgia State, Hawaii, Iowa State, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Massachusetts, Miami (OH), Mississippi State, New Mexico State, North Texas, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio, Oregon State, Rice, Rutgers, San Jose State, Southern California, Temple, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Washington State

Check back in next Wednesday to find out if your team has been eliminated in 'College Football Eliminator: Week 6'.