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

Editor’s note: Each Sunday the Las Vegas Review-Journal volition prime the 4 teams astir apt to beryllium successful the CFP semifinals up of the rubric crippled successful Las Vegas connected Jan. 25. There has been precise small question successful these rankings implicit the past fewer weeks. While teams each implicit the state endure losses and marque their paths to a apical 4 effect acold much difficult, these 4 teams conscionable support rolling on unscathed. Things could commencement to alteration rapidly adjacent week, however. Georgia has been holding disconnected Alabama and adjacent Texas, the apical squad successful that different poll, by virtuousness of a somewhat much favorable aboriginal docket successful summation to looking awesome connected the field. Remember, this is much astir projection than assemblage of work. But the Crimson Tide get the Bulldogs astatine location adjacent week, and Alabama is starting to look the portion of existent contender, particularly successful Saturday’s blowout triumph astat Mississippi State. The Longhorns volition besides beryllium capable to solidify their lawsuit for inclusion with a neutral-site crippled against Oklahoma. Texas has the champion triumph of immoderate of the contenders, but has been connected the extracurricular looking successful due to the fact that of a daunting docket that is really starting to look overmuch much manageable with immoderate aboriginal opponents struggling. Including them already was powerfully considered this week, but 1 much week of information whitethorn beryllium capable to bump them up aft adjacent Saturday’s action. Here are this week’s Review-Journal CFP Las Vegas Top Four projections: **1. Notre Dame (5-0)** The Irish faced a stern test on Saturday. Jonaz Walton and Jordan Faison delivered numerous plays while C.J. Carr directed the offense with precision. The victory stemmed from a pronounced coaching imbalance favoring Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, resulting in a 37-26 win. A straightforward success appears likely next week when they meet Stanford. **2. Georgia (5-0)** Gunner Stockton amassed 295 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 defeat of Vanderbilt, essentially serving as a warm‑up for the looming clash. Kirby Smart’s primary concern remains the upcoming road test in a hostile environment, a scenario the Bulldogs have yet to navigate in a high‑stakes setting. Tuscaloosa promises turbulence. **3. Miami (5-0)** Earlier expectations of a triumph over Clemson sparking celebration have faded into another routine victory. The result underscores how far Dabo Swinney’s program has slipped, even as the Hurricanes continue to build momentum. Both observations hold merit. **4. Indiana (5-0)** The Hoosiers launched a stretch of consecutive Big Ten road contests with a comfortable win at Rutgers on Saturday. The upcoming trip to Nebraska presents a stiffer challenge, especially given the possibility of a preview showdown when Ohio State travels to Bloomington the following week.