As many here have noted before, the teams with serious NC aspirations number roughly 15 preseason, and for 11 of them (about to be 14) this year will be something of a disappointment. Georgia is an extant example, thought to have had an NFL offensive line (maybe for the Bengals), an experienced QB, and great defense and ST. Their season was marred by a home loss to USCe and then a blow out to LSU last night. "Marred" is putting it nicely. So, maybe they play UVA in the OB, yay. Win or lose, it doesn't change much, though a loss would make the year almost calamitous. In "the old days", they would have finished 11-1, perhaps 12-1 with a major bowl win and a top 5 rankings, which is something of a solace, though it would have really put a bad taste about the USCe loss. They seem locked in the bride's maid category.
Ohio State would have headed to the Rose Bowl and a possible win over Oregon/Utah would have meant at least a share of an NC. LSU would go to the Sugar and perhaps shared that NC. Clemson would have gone to the OB and perhaps given their coach a reason to complain.