TCU must beat Kansas State, win Big 12 to make College Football Playoff

TCU football is in the Big 12 Title game and 12-0, but they will still need to beat Kansas State in order to make the College Football Playoff.

The Horned Frogs have had an impressive season upsetting multiple teams to get an undefeated record and up to being ranked third overall in the College Football Playoff rankings, but they still need one more win to make it to the national semifinal game.

TCU football is coming off a 62-14 victory over a lousy Iowa State team as Kansas State had to clinch their spot in the Big 12 title game by winning their season finale. The Wildcats defeated their in-state rival Kansas 47-27.

TCU football must beat Kansas State and win the Big 12 Title to make the College Football Playoff

TCU football has done everything first-year head coach Sonny Dykes has asked them to do. But if they can’t beat Kansas State on Friday, will it still be enough to get them into the College Football Playoff? The simple answer is no.

Comparing a one-loss TCU to a one-loss Ohio State, which would be the discussion if the Horned Frogs are upset by the Wildcats would tend to favor the Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s one loss would be to second-ranked Michigan, who is in the playoff. TCU’s one loss would be to a top-ten Kansas State team, but not a playoff team.

Granted, if TCU loses by one score or keeps it very close and losses, the argument could be made that they deserve that final spot in the College Football Playoff over Ohio State because the Buckeyes lost by three scores at home to Michigan.

TCU has a good offense putting up 34 points or more in ten games this season. But their defense has shown signs of concern as they have forced the offense to outscore their opponent in order to win games. Of course, this is the Big 12 and nothing has changed, but it does say why the conference hasn’t had success when they have made the College Football Playoff in the past.

TCU will need to beat Kansas State in order to stamp their ticket to the College Football Playoff or else they will be watching nervously on Sunday to see if they made it or if they’ll be heading to what would be an average bowl game at that point.

TCU and Kansas State play in the Big 12 Title game on Friday night. The game will be televised on FOX and is slated to kick off a little after 8 pm EST.