ESPN Updates College Football Playoff Bubble Watch Ahead Of Week 10

ESPN released its updated College Football Playoff Bubble Watch this week, with LSU sitting just outside the projected 12-team playoff field heading into Saturday's showdown against Alabama.

The Tigers (6-2) were listed as the first team out in the SEC, while Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Texas were projected to make the playoff.

ESPN noted that LSU has been playing some of its best football of the season, outscoring Mississippi State and Auburn by a combined 69-17 over its last two games.

The Tigers also rank No. 5 nationally in total efficiency, according to ESPN, but are still searching for a statement victory to strengthen their playoff résumé.

That opportunity comes Saturday when LSU hosts Alabama in a pivotal SEC matchup. ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Tigers a 57% chance to win.

Here's how ESPN breaks down the SEC in its latest College Football Playoff Bubble Watch:

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Would Be In: Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Texas

Last Team In: Ole Miss

First Team Out: LSU

Still In The Mix: Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee

Out: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt

First team out: LSU. The Tigers were projected in the No. 12 spot heading into Tuesday's ranking, partly because they have outscored back-to-back SEC opponents Mississippi State and Auburn by a combined margin of 69-17. They seem to be putting it all together at the right time, ranking No. 5 in total efficiency. The season-opening win against Clemson will be respected in the committee room, but LSU is still lacking a statement win, which is why the committee might like Alabama more. The Tide have a 16-point loss at Tennessee, but beat Kentucky -- which LSU did not. Alabama and LSU were on a bye heading into the first ranking and play each other Saturday. ESPN's FPI gives LSU a 57% chance to win.

Bracket:

First-round byes:
No. 1 Miami (ACC champ)
No. 2 Georgia (SEC champ)
No. 3 BYU (Big 12 champ)
No. 4 Notre Dame

First-round games:
No. 12 Boise State (highest Group of 6) at No. 5 Utah
No. 11 Ole Miss at No. 6 Indiana (Big Ten champ)
No. 10 Ohio State at No. 7 UCLA
No. 9 Texas at No. 8 Kentucky

Quarterfinal games:
No. 12 Boise State/No. 5 Utah winner vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
No. 11 Ole Miss/No. 6 Indiana winner vs. No. 3 BYU
No. 10 Ohio State/No. 7 UCLA winner vs. No. 2 Georgia
No. 9 Texas/No. 8 Kentucky winner vs. No. 1 Miami

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