College Football Playoff: What chaos does UCF need to reach the Top 4?

Step 5: Notre Dame loses twice in a row to Syracuse and USC

Notre Dame has the likeliest path into the College Football Playoff this year, though things could quickly unravel if they fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. And the challenges over the next few weeks present a couple of tough tests for the Fighting Irish as they fight to maintain perfection.

The home game against Syracuse in Week 12 is an opportunity to win a major game over a highly-ranked opponent. Of course, the Orange are going to come to South Bend with the same mentality. And with Ian Book on track to start against Syracuse, there is the possibility that he could either get reinjured or come back inconsistent.

Then there is the regular-season finale against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The annual duel for the Jeweled Shillelagh presents an opportunity for the Trojans to secure a finish above .500 in 2018 and ruin every big dream for their rival. Clay Helton could be playing for his job the way things have gone in Los Angeles, and an upset of the Fighting Irish would put Brian Kelly’s team at 10-2 to end the regular season.

Much as they might try to justify keeping Notre Dame in the field, two losses would probably be enough for the committee to justify their elimination from the mix. One alone might not be enough to render chaos completely.