While the drop from 8 in the AP/coaches polls to specifically 14 in the CFP was unexpected, a significant drop was completely foreseeable. Anyone who has paid attention to past years knew a drop was coming, and you have to be ranked #9 or higher to be guaranteed an at large bid based on historical precedent.

Now, there is not enough time to schedule a ranked team like Marshall or move up the SDSU game to try to get a Louisana or Coastal Carolina. And now Cinci may not feel a win over BYU helps their playoff resume as much as it would have before tonight. Perhaps a PAC12 matchup works out, but no guarantees there. Hard to find a better option this point than Liberty on the 19th, but despite their great record and win over 2 ACC teams, I doubt the CFP committee would respect it much.