Because of the way the College Football Playoff bracket is constructed, Indiana is the last team in the 12-team field. Two teams ranked lower than Indiana would make the field as projected conference champions.

Clemson doesn't have the strongest case for the College Football Playoff, but it just needs a case better than Indiana's. And it's getting closer.

SMU nudges its way into the bracket and Indiana drops just five spots to No. 10 despite a lopsided loss, as the latest 12-team field excludes Alabama and Mississippi, both of which suffered their