[Dante84]

What Has to Happen for Kansas State to Make The Playoffs?

Kansas State Wildcats

STEP ONE: Beat Baylor

This one's easy. K-State is already a long shot for the playoff—the only reason they're in the conversation is thanks largely in part to both UCLA and Mississippi State losing in the same week the Wildcats played lowly Kansas. If the Wildcats want in, they'll need a win over No. 6 Baylor.

Just like the Bears though, the Wildcats get a chance to beat a Top 10 team right before the committee convenes to make its final decisions.

STEP TWO: Oregon beats Arizona in Pac-12 Championship Game

I know what you're thinking—"Kansas State needs all the chaos in the world to get into the playoff; how does No. 2 beating No. 7 help?"

Well, the Wildcats are No. 9 in the playoff standings—meaning they need to catch up five spots to get into the playoff.

If they beat Baylor, they'll likely pass No. 8 Michigan State, who is off this week. That's two spots right there, as the Wildcats will probably pass the Bears in the final standings.

No. 7 is Arizona. Let's say Arizona upsets Oregon. Would the Ducks, who will have just two losses to the same team—a Top 10 team now—fall behind K-State, which also has two losses to Auburn and TCU?

It's debatable but unlikely. K-State needs the easiest road to making up five spots, and No. 7 losing falls into that category. Bill Snyder and Co. want to be in the playoff with the Ducks.

STEP THREE: Ohio State loss to Wisconsin in Big Ten Championship Game

The same reason Baylor needs Ohio State to lose is why K-State needs the Buckeyes to slip up. Ohio State is next in line for a spot should someone in the Top Four falter. The Wildcats don't want the Buckeyes in their way for one of the last spots should one become available.

So if all the steps come true up to this point, K-State will have made up four of the five spots it needs to get in.

STEP FOUR: Florida State loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game OR Alabama loss to Missouri in SEC Championship Game OR TCU loss to Iowa State

The final step for K-State to get in is the same one for Baylor—it needs a Top Four team to lose.

This is true for basically any playoff hopeful. If all four teams in the Top Four win this week, they'll all be conference champions, and it'll be unlikely the committee punishes them on the last week.

Kansas State can't worry about any seeding advantages—climbing five spots is hard enough in one week.

But crazier things have happened in the world.

The Wildcats may need a ton of help this week, but a win over Baylor should guarantee the Wildcats a top-tier bowl game.