The 130 college football programs competing at the top level each has a theoretical shot at the national championship. Only a dozen teams start the season with a chance of actually winning the national championship.
Unless Oklahoma, 12-1, wins the national championship and LSU knocks off undefeated Central Florida, 12-0, in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day, at least one team will run the table undefeated in 2018. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Central Florida all went undefeated during the regular season.
Not one FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) team failed to win a game this season. The worst record was 1-11. Five teams, Central Michigan, Connecticut, Rutgers, San Jose, and UTEP, all concluded with 1-11 records. UTEP, with a lone victory this season over Rice, there was improvement. Last season the Miners ran the table in reverse to finish 0-12.
It is possible to go from bottom to top in a hurry in the FBS ranks!
Two years ago, Fresno State was 1-11 with the lone victory against non-major Sacramento State. Fresno State, 11-2, will play Arizona State, 7-5, in the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday, Dec. 15.
Alabama is a two-touchdown favorite to handle Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. In the Cotton Bowl, Clemson is a 12-point favorite to take out Notre Dame. The victors will play for the national championship at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.
Nine Big Ten Conference teams have bowl berths this year, four on New Year’s Day. Northwestern will play Utah December 31 in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.