Breaking down the high school football national title contenders

Video: Highlights of Bishop Gorman's Tyjon Lindsey

In the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, Alabama and Notre Dame, two one-loss teams, currently sit in the Top 4, poised for a berth in the College Football Playoffs and a chance to win a national title.

In high school football, teams with a single loss are effectively eliminated from the national title chase.

As the season draws to a close, here are the main contenders to finish No. 1 when the final rankings are released.

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Argument for being No. 1: Bishop Gorman opened its season by beating two defending state champions, Chandler (Ariz.) and Bingham (Utah). It went on to beat top programs from Southern California and New Jersey. Bishop Gorman has perhaps the best trio of skill players in the country in Tate Martell, Biaggio Walsh and Tyjon Lindsey.

Argument against being No. 1: Despite Bishop Gorman's best intention to create a loaded schedule, it hasn't quite panned out. Long Beach Poly, Servite and Don Bosco Prep all have multiple losses, while Bingham's season ended in a playoff upset last week. While other top teams will bolster their resumes with big playoff wins, Bishop Gorman will likely cruise to a Nevada state title.

What it's rooting for: De La Salle to beat its SoCal opponent in the CIF Bowl Games, and state titles from Bellevue and Don Bosco Prep.

2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)/Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Argument for being No. 1: Any team that survives the Pac-5 bracket has a claim for the nation's best. Both St. John Bosco and Centennial have looked dominant in 2015 and are expected to play for a section title. If either wins the section title and adds a victory over De La Salle in the CIF Bowl Game, it will be tough to surpass.

Argument against being No. 1: The biggest thing standing in the way of a No. 1 finish for these teams — aside from each other — is that the road for a CIF Open Division Bowl Game goes through De La Salle. Both programs have beaten the Spartans in Bowl Games, but that's never easy.

What it's rooting for: De La Salle to continue to dominate until the CIF Bowl Game, mostly. St. John Bosco would also benefit by St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) winning a state title.

3. Allen (Texas)
Argument for being No. 1: Allen is 11-0 and has blown out nearly every opponent it has faced. It gets DeSoto this week, and has plenty of potential big wins remaining on its schedule as it chases another 6A-I title. Allen is enjoying a ride at the pinnacle of Texas high school football.

Argument against being No. 1: As unfair as it may be, it seems natural to compare this year's team's to last year's national title-winning squad. This year's team is much better defensively. However, it's hard to imagine being superior to last year's team, since Kyler Murray is now suiting up for Texas A&M. Last year's title run saw Allen dispatch DeSoto, Euless Trinity and Skyline among others. This year's path will be tough, but may lack the marquee matchups from a year ago, since Euless Trinity has already lost and DeSoto is not nearly as good as it was in 2014.

What it's rooting for: No upsets in the Class 6A-I bracket. Trinity losing last week removed a major hurdle (i.e., a potential quality win) from its potential state title run.

4. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
Argument for being No. 1: Rush Propst predicted in the preseason that he'd have a national title-caliber team, and Colquitt has delivered every step of the way. It has won most of its games with ease, and has been impressive on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Chase Parrish and receiver Kiel Pollard are both playing at an extremely high level.

Argument against being No. 1: To date, Colquitt County has a weaker schedule than most other top teams. That should change, however, as the team advances to the AAAAAA semifinals. It could face Archer and Grayson to close its season.

What it's rooting for: Archer and Roswell to continue to rise up the rankings. Both would be impressive wins for Colquitt County.

5. Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Argument for being No. 1: Ocean Lakes has one of the nation's most talented teams. That has translated into steamrolling opponents in 2015. It has scored 596 points and allowed just 87. If it maintains that level of dominance, it could have an argument for No. 1.

Argument against being No. 1: Ocean Lakes' schedule has been easy (to say the least) compared to other national title contenders. It will likely face Oscar Smith in the next round of the playoffs. A victory over Smith would be significant, but it's likely that Ocean Lakes would need to win the rest of its games in convincing fashion for a shot to ascend to No. 1.

What it's rooting for: A one-loss team to win state titles in Georgia Class AAAAAA, Texas Class 6A-I and 6A-II, and California's Open Division Bowl Game.

6. Katy (Texas)
Argument for being No. 1: Katy has the most dominant defense of any team in the mix for a national title. It has yielded just 18 points in 11 games. Its path to a Class 6A-II title features several opponents that would represent quality wins should the Tigers win out.

Argument against being No. 1: For starters, it may be hard for Katy to finish as the No. 1 team in Texas, let alone the nation. If Allen wins out, the distinction will likely belong to the Eagles.

What it's rooting for: Aside from every team above it to lose, a deep playoff run by The Woodlands in Class 6A-I would help its case. Katy beat The Woodlands 14-7 in September.

Sleepers

Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), Roswell (Roswell, Ga.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)