After an exhilarating 14 weeks, the regular college football season has wrapped up, paving the way for conference championships this week. The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await the final College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings, which will be unveiled on Sunday. This penultimate reveal has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.
Conference Championships on the Horizon
This week marks a pivotal moment in college football as teams gear up for their conference championships. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with teams vying for a coveted spot in the playoff bracket. The projected playoff picture has seen significant shifts following a series of upsets in Week 14. Notably, Ohio State suffered a shocking defeat to Michigan in their storied rivalry, which not only knocked the Buckeyes out of the No. 5 seed but also altered the playoff landscape dramatically. Meanwhile, Miami faced a setback against Syracuse, eliminating them from contention for the ACC Championship.
No. 1 Seed – Oregon*
At the top of the bracket, Oregon has maintained its position as the No. 1 seed, setting the stage for an exciting Big Ten Championship appearance. The Ducks, fresh off a dominating victory over Washington, wrapped up the regular season as the last undefeated team in FBS. They are now preparing to face Penn State in Lucas Oil Stadium, aiming to solidify their status as the top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
No. 2 Seed – Texas*
Following a triumphant victory over Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown, Texas has secured its first-ever SEC Championship appearance. The Longhorns are gearing up for a high-stakes rematch against Georgia, with a first-round bye in the playoff bracket on the line. Texas showcased a formidable defense last week, limiting the Aggies to just a single score, and now they’re focused on clinching their playoff spot.
No. 3 Seed – SMU*
In a remarkable turn of events, SMU has emerged as the highest-ranked team in the ACC, marking their first season in the conference after leaving the American Athletic Conference. The Mustangs are heading to the league championship with an undefeated ACC record following a dominant 38-6 victory over Cal. As they prepare to face Clemson in Charlotte, they are determined to secure their place in the College Football Playoff.
No. 4 Seed – Boise State*
Looking to clinch a playoff spot, Boise State stands as the highest-ranked Group of 5 team. The Broncos are set to compete in the Mountain West Championship against UNLV. Last week, Ashton Jeanty led the charge with an impressive 226 rushing yards in a victory over Oregon State. With the MWC Championship looming, all eyes will be on Boise State as they aim to secure their playoff berth.
First-round byes and matchups
Using the latest College Football Playoff rankings, the highest-ranked team from each league is projected to be its conference champion. The new bracket will feature first-round games hosted at campus sites, with the four highest-seeded teams receiving byes. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place at bowl sites, culminating in this year’s national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20.
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 Penn State
The fifth highest-ranked projected conference champion, Arizona State, is heading to its first Big 12 Championship. After a commanding victory over in-state rival Arizona, the Sun Devils are set to face Iowa State in the title game, aiming to punch their ticket to the playoff.
No. 9 Seed Tennessee at No. 8 Seed Ohio State
A Rivalry Week win against Vanderbilt propelled Tennessee to a 10-win season, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Despite not competing for the SEC title, they’re eyeing a potential first-round matchup.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is still reeling from their loss to Michigan, which cost them a shot at the Big Ten Championship. However, the Buckeyes remain in contention for a playoff spot and are projected to host a first-round game.
No. 10 Seed Indiana at No. 7 Seed Georgia
Despite questions surrounding Indiana’s strength of schedule, a dominant 66-0 victory over Purdue has kept them in the playoff conversation. Although they’re not headed to the Big Ten Championship, they’re still a contender.
On the other side, Georgia secured a hard-fought victory over Georgia Tech in eight overtimes, positioning themselves for a playoff berth. A win in the SEC Championship could seal their fate.
No. 11 Seed Alabama at No. 6 Seed Notre Dame
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Alabama is closely watching Championship Weekend after their recent win in the Iron Bowl. They lead the pack of three-loss SEC teams, hoping for favorable outcomes.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame is riding high on a 10-game winning streak, having completed an impressive 11-1 season. With a recent victory over USC, they’re in a strong position to host a first-round playoff game.
First Four Out
As the playoff picture becomes clearer, the teams left on the outside looking in include:
Miami
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Iowa State
Next Four Out
The next teams on the bubble are:
Clemson
BYU
Missouri
UNLV
With so much on the line, college football fans are in for a thrilling finish to the season. Who will rise to the occasion and secure their spot in the playoff? The excitement is just beginning!
