Rivalry Week has arrived, bringing with it the excitement and unpredictability that college football fans live for! After an upset-filled Week 13, the College Football Playoff rankings have experienced a significant shakeup. This means that the 12-team CFP bracket has also shifted following the fourth rankings reveal.
College Football Playoff Bracket Changes
The latest rankings reveal that the top seeds have remained unchanged from the previous week. Oregon continues to hold the No. 1 spot as the only undefeated team left, and they are projected to be the Big Ten champion. Following closely behind are Texas at No. 2, Miami at No. 3, and Boise State at No. 4. With the playoffs approaching, the stakes are higher than ever!
What makes this week particularly interesting is the situation in the Big 12. Week 13 delivered some shocking results, including Arizona State handing BYU its second consecutive loss. This upset has created a logjam at the top of the conference standings, making the race for the playoffs even more thrilling.
First-round byes
Using the fourth College Football Playoff rankings, the highest-ranked team in each league will be its projected conference champion. In the new bracket, first-round games will take place at campus sites, and the four highest-seeded teams will receive byes. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held at bowl sites, culminating in this year’s national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20.
No. 1 seed – Oregon*
The Ducks have been nothing short of impressive during their first season in the Big Ten. With a stellar record, they are heading to Indianapolis next week for the conference championship. As the last remaining unbeaten team, Oregon has not only maintained its position at the top of the College Football Playoff rankings but also solidified its No. 1 seed in the projected 12-team bracket.
Led by Dillon Gabriel, Oregon’s high-powered offense is complemented by a defense that ranks among the best in the nation. Heading into Week 14, the Ducks are allowing just 287.4 yards per game (ranked No. 7) and 15.7 points on average (ranked No. 8). Can they keep this momentum going as they approach the postseason?
No. 2 seed – Texas*
In a week filled with upsets, Texas has successfully held its ground in the standings and the College Football Playoff rankings. The Longhorns remain the projected conference champion, and they can officially secure a spot in the title game with a victory over rival Texas A&M this Saturday.
However, the health of Quinn Ewers is a major concern. After suffering an ankle sprain against Kentucky, his status for the game is still uncertain. Will he be ready to lead his team in such a crucial matchup?
No. 3 seed – Miami*
A commanding win over Wake Forest has kept Miami firmly in the race as the highest-ranked ACC team and projected conference champion. The Hurricanes still need to secure their spot in the championship game, which they can do with a victory over Syracuse this week.
With a balanced offensive attack, Cam Ward has been instrumental, throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns against Wake Forest. He’s running the offense at a high level, and the pressure is on him to deliver once again.
No. 4 seed – Boise State*
After an impressive 10-1 season, Boise State is heading to the Mountain West Championship and remains the highest-ranked projected Group of 5 conference champion. Their strong performance has earned them a bye in this week’s 12-team bracket, placing them ahead of the projected Big 12 champion.
Since their narrow loss to Oregon, the Broncos have been on fire. Ashton Jeanty is also making headlines as he continues his quest for a Heisman Trophy invitation, having surpassed the 2,000-yard mark last week against Wyoming.
First-round matchups (campus sites)
As we look ahead to the first-round matchups, excitement is building.
No. 12 seed Arizona State at No. 5 seed Ohio State
The fifth-highest ranked projected conference champion, Arizona State, has made its way into the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket after an incredible upset against BYU. The Sun Devils are now tied with several teams atop the Big 12 standings, making their upcoming games crucial.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is riding high after a dominant 38-15 victory over No. 5 Indiana. The Buckeyes are still in the mix for the Big Ten Championship as they prepare for their rivalry game against Michigan in Week 14.
No. 9 seed Tennessee at No. 8 seed Georgia
After a dominant 56-0 win over UTEP, Tennessee is looking to keep their playoff hopes alive as they face in-state rival Vanderbilt to conclude the regular season. Their performance has kept them hovering around the bubble for the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.
On the other hand, Georgia has bounced back from a slow start against UMass, ultimately winning 59-21. With the chaos in the SEC, the Bulldogs are set for the conference championship, eagerly awaiting their opponent from the Texas vs. Texas A&M game.
No. 10 seed SMU at No. 7 seed Notre Dame
It’s been a remarkable first season in the ACC for SMU under Rhett Lashlee. After a solid 33-7 win over Virginia, the Mustangs are heading to the conference championship and are now part of the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame has been on a roll, dominating ranked opponents, including a recent win over Army in the Shamrock Series at Yankee Stadium. With nine consecutive wins since a surprising loss to Northern Illinois, they’re building momentum for their season finale against USC.
No. 11 seed Indiana at No. 6 seed Penn State
Despite a tough blowout loss to Ohio State, Indiana remains in the 12-team College Football Playoff picture. They will face Purdue in their season finale, and a win could keep their playoff hopes alive.
On the flip side, Penn State managed to fend off upset-minded Minnesota last week, keeping themselves in contention for the playoffs. Although they dropped in the rankings, they still have a shot at making the bracket and competing for the Big Ten Championship.
First four out
As the competition heats up, the following teams find themselves just outside the playoff picture:
Clemson
Alabama
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Next four out
And the next four teams on the outside looking in are:
Tulane
Iowa State
BYU
Texas A&M
With so much at stake, the coming weeks promise to be thrilling as teams battle for their place in the College Football Playoff. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall short? Buckle up, college football fans; it’s going to be an exhilarating ride!
