Who Could Crack the Playoff Four Next Year?

The Alabama Crimson Tide have won yet another National Championship, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime, 26-23. With the Tide winning the title again, is there anybody who can crack the playoffs and perhaps take a shot at the Tide?

• Ohio State: The obvious pick, the Buckeyes were ousted from a playoff spot by the eventual champions. Urban Meyer has already landed two five-star recruits for the 2018 season and the Buckeyes are ranked #2 in 247sports.com's 2018 team rankings for recruits and can potentially land at least three more. Ohio State's schedule is tough with road dates against TCU, Penn State, and Michigan State. However, if they can weather the schedule, they'll be able to make it to Indianapolis and possibly win the Big Ten next season.
  
• Washington: Chided for having a weak schedule in the past couple seasons, the Huskies will ramp up their schedule with games against Auburn (neutral-site) and a home game against BYU. Aside from the Auburn game, the only tough game on the schedule is a road game against in-state rival, Washington State. The Huskies also avoid USC for another season and may have Miles Gaskin returning to the team to go with the seven returning offensive starters and nine returning defensive starters.
• Notre Dame: Now before you question this pick due to the lack of a conference, hear me out. Notre Dame has nine defensive starters returning next year. The Fighting Irish also played against seven teams that went on to be ranked by season's end (they went 4-3 in those games). If Notre Dame's schedule is loaded up with ranked teams once again, there won't be a need for the Irish to have a conference championship to play in with all the ranked wins.
• Auburn: The Tigers have a tough schedule for 2018; they play Washington at a neutral site and they have to play Georgia and Alabama on the road. However, Auburn defeated both Georgia and Alabama in 2017, so they should have some confidence. However, they'll lose players like linebacker Jeff Holland, running back Kerryon Johnson, and cornerback Carlton Davis.
• Miami: Mark Richt has this team heading in the right direction and that was made evident by Miami's strong campaign heading into the final three weeks of the season. They're returning all but five players on both the offense and defense and rank sixth in the aforementioned 2018 team rankings.
  
• Penn State: Saquon Barkley will be missed. But James Franklin has recruited another strong class, obtaining two five-star recruits for the Nittany Lions. Penn State's schedule is also more forgiving; they'll have home dates against Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State. Their toughest road game will be a date in Ann Arbor with the Michigan Wolverines, who are in a period of uncertainty and disappointment.