The Road to Las Vegas: Review-Journal’s Week 5 CFP projections

Editor’s note: Each Sunday the Las Vegas Review-Journal will select the four teams most likely to be in the CFP semifinals ahead of the title game in Las Vegas on Jan. 25.

There has been very little movement in these rankings over the past few weeks.

While teams all over the country suffer losses and make their paths to a top four seed far more difficult, these four teams just keep rolling along unscathed.

Things could start to change quickly next week, however.

Georgia has been holding off Alabama and even Texas, the top team in that other poll, by virtue of a slightly more favorable future schedule in addition to looking impressive on the field. Remember, this is more about projection than body of work.

But the Crimson Tide get the Bulldogs at home next week, and Alabama is starting to look the part of true contender, especially in Saturday’s blowout win at Mississippi State.

The Longhorns will also be able to solidify their case for inclusion with a neutral-site game against Oklahoma.

Texas has the best win of any of the contenders, but has been on the outside looking in because of a daunting schedule that is actually starting to look much more manageable with some future opponents struggling.

Including them already was strongly considered this week, but one more week of data may be enough to bump them up after next Saturday’s action.

Here are this week’s Review-Journal CFP Las Vegas Top Four projections:

1. Notre Dame (5-0)

The Irish were actually tested for a half on Saturday. Eventually, Jonaz Walton and Jordan Faison made too many plays as C.J. Carr masterfully managed the offense. It was only a matter of time in what was a massive coaching mismatch in favor of Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman. The Irish pulled away for a 37-26 win and should have another easy win on tap next week against Stanford.

2. Georgia (5-0)

Gunner Stockton threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 victory over Vanderbilt that essentially served as a tune-up game for next week. The only concern for Kirby Smart may be that he has to go on the road in a tough environment while not yet having been tested in any significant way. It will be wild in Tuscaloosa.

3. Miami (5-0)

There was a time going to Clemson and blowing out the Tigers would be cause for mass celebration. Now it’s just another win. It’s more of an indictment on how far Dabo Swinney’s program has fallen. than how the Hurricanes have gotten things rolling, but both are true.

4. Indiana (5-0)

The Hoosiers started a stretch of back-to-back conference road games with a comfortable win at Rutgers on Saturday. Things get slightly more difficult at Nebraska next week especially since it could very well be a lookahead spot with Ohio State visiting Bloomington the following week.