8. Texas Longhorns

(Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports)

Is Texas back to being a college football powerhouse? A Big 12 title would certainly suggest yes. And that’s probably what the Longhorns will need to get to the playoff, along with no more than one close loss. To win the conference, Texas will likely have to face Oklahoma twice — once in the regular season and again in the Big 12 title game. If it can’t beat the Sooners twice, it needs to at least win in conference championship game to have a shot at the playoff.

Make the playoff: +530
Miss the playoff: -850