PLAYOFF NOT IN CARDS

ASIDE from undefeated Alabama — which would have to somehow lose twice before the playoff selection — no team has secured a spot in the national semifinals. Currently, at least 11 schools could produce a résumé worthy of the three remaining seats, and No. 5 Louisville has the worst hand at the table.

Barring another Clemson meltdown — the Tigers face Wake Forest this week — the Cardinals will not play in the ACC Championship. There will be nothing they can do to improve their standing and prove they are one of the best four teams in the country. Louisville had its shot, blowing the one game — against Clemson — the Cardinals knew mattered most. The Cardinals were overwhelmed by the magnitude early in the game. Then, they blew a fourth-quarter lead. Then, the highest-scoring offense in the country couldn’t convert a potential gamewinning drive in the final minute.

While it would be great to watch the most exciting player in the country on the biggest stage, Houston’s fall from contender status is even more disappointing. Finally, a Group of Five school seemed capable of beating a traditional power, helping dent the perception that smaller programs don’t deserve a chance at a national championship. The Cougars’ season-opening win over Oklahoma made them the most realistic nonpower contender since Boise State, and in early October, it looked as if their matchup Thursday with Louisville could decide a playoff spot.

Now, two-loss Houston is out of the Top 25 and may be left out of its conference championship game, just like Louisville.

After playing a string of uninspiring AAC foes, HOUSTON (+14) will relish its final

spotlight game at home, showing up for the shootout we long expected. Unlv (+28½) over BOISE STATE: The Runnin’ Rebels are always strong candidates for meaningless second-half scores, averaging more than 31 points per game.

Oklahoma State (+41/2) over TCU: On Sept. 10, referees and replay officials admitted they screwed up by giving Central Michigan one final play — resulting in a Hail Mary touchdown to beat Oklahoma State — but the outcome of the game would not be changed, even though no time had remained. Because of that, the Cowboys could win the Big 12 and miss the playoff. PURDUE (+28) over Wisconsin: The Badgers’ defense will take care of business as usual, but last week’s 48-point explosion was an aberration. Wisconsin has surpassed 30 points only twice all season. MICHIGAN STATE (+22) over Ohio

State: One year ago, the Buckeyes, the most talented team in the country, fell against the Spartans’ backup quarterback and ruined their chances at back-to-back national championships. Now, the outcome will change, but a win won’t come much easier against a well-coached squad that stayed within single-digits of Michigan three weeks ago.

Florida (+13½) over LSU: The Gators will be forced to go back to Luke Del Rio at quarterback, but it won’t matter much in this low-scoring battle. Leonard Fournette will see a loaded box on just about every run, with Florida’s balanced defense able to contain LSU’s only means of attack.

UTAH (-14) over Oregon: Dead Ducks waddling. Florida State (-21) over SYRACUSE: The Orange defense has allowed an average of 55.3 points to the three best offenses Syracuse faced this season: Louisville, Clemson

and Notre Dame. Without quarterback Eric Dungey, the Carrier Dome will clear out by halftime.

Indiana (+231/2) over MICHIGAN: The Wolverines have no room for error anymore. That’s a tough spot to insert a new quarterback, which Michigan may have to do with Wilton Speight appearing as if he will be out following the team’s worst offensive performance of the season. COLORADO (-4½) over Washington State: It’s tough to get a read on either Pac-12 contender, considering neither has beaten a ranked team this season, but the Cougars’ high-flying offense faces the tougher challenge, going against the rare college team that still values defense. WAKE FOREST (+22½) over Clemson: The Tigers have hit the snooze button on too many supposed wake-up calls this year. WASHINGTON (-27) over Arizona State: More than ever, the Huskies need to flex their muscle. Oklahoma (-2½) over WEST VIR

GINIA: For once, the committee is right. The ninth-ranked Sooners deserve to be ahead of the untested 14th-ranked Mountaineers, who convincingly lost their lone game against a ranked opponent (Oklahoma State) this season. RUTGERS (+28) over Penn State: After one season, the four-team playoff was already outdated. Now, a very realistic scenario exists where the Big Ten champion could be left out.

UCLA (+13) over Usc: Sam Darnold has transformed the Trojans, but the freshman quarterback is due for a letdown in a rivalry game on the road, following the biggest win of his career BEST BETS: Purdue, Michigan State, Florida LAST WEEK: 6-9 THIS SEASON: 77-83-4 BEST BETS: 15-17-1 2014-15 RECORD: 262-245-6