The final week of the 2024 college football regular season did not disappoint. Week 14 saw some of the game’s greatest rivals take the field, setting the stage for several upsets and plenty of fireworks. As teams battled for pride and positioning, fans were treated to thrilling moments that will be talked about for years to come.
Upsets shake up the rankings
Among notable upsets, No. 2 Ohio State suffered a shocking home loss to unranked Michigan, while No. 6 Miami fell short against Syracuse by four points. These unexpected results sent shockwaves through the college football landscape. In the Palmetto State, No. 15 South Carolina made a major statement with a nail-biting three-point victory over No. 12 Clemson, adding to the drama of the weekend.
The action didn’t stop there. After No. 17 Tulane was upset by Memphis on Thanksgiving, things ramped up on Friday when No. 7 Georgia narrowly escaped disaster. In a game that went into eight overtimes, Georgia managed to secure a 44-42 win over Georgia Tech. What a way to keep fans on the edge of their seats!
Top teams shine in Week 14
While some teams stumbled, others took care of business in commanding fashion. No. 1 Oregon showcased its dominance by crushing Washington, finishing the regular season with an impeccable 12-0 record. Meanwhile, No. 3 Texas secured its spot in the SEC Championship by defeating No. 20 Texas A&M, solidifying its place among the elite.
Additionally, No. 4 Penn State, No. 9 SMU, and No. 10 Indiana all delivered impressive performances, ensuring they remain in the conversation as the postseason approaches. These teams proved that they are not just contenders but serious threats in the upcoming conference championships.
Looking ahead: Poll movements
As we look ahead, the final week of regular-season action should signal some movement in both the Coaches and AP Top 25 polls. With so many upsets, it’s clear that the rankings will reflect the chaos of Week 14. Fans are eager to see how their teams will be positioned heading into the crucial conference championship weekend.
Coaches poll
Here’s an updated look at the Coaches poll for Week 15:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points (No. 1 votes) |
| 1. | Oregon | 12-0 | 1,325 (53) |
| 2. | Texas | 11-1 | 1,272 |
| 3. | Penn State | 11-1 | 1,192 |
| 4. | Notre Dame | 11-1 | 1,165 |
| 5. | Georgia | 10-2 | 1,104 |
| 6. | Tennessee | 10-2 | 1,025 |
| 7. | SMU | 11-1 | 977 |
| 8. | Ohio State | 10-2 | 976 |
| 9. | Indiana | 11-1 | 895 |
| 10. | Boise State | 11-1 | 840 |
| 11. | Alabama | 9-3 | 733 |
| 12. | South Carolina | 9-3 | 700 |
| 13. | Arizona State | 10-2 | 665 |
| 14. | Miami (FL) | 10-2 | 646 |
| 15. | Ole Miss | 9-3 | 638 |
| 16. | Iowa State | 10-2 | 565 |
| 17. | Clemson | 9-3 | 457 |
| 18. | BYU | 10-2 | 419 |
| 19. | UNLV | 10-2 | 255 |
| 20. | Missouri | 9-3 | 229 |
| 21. | Illinois | 9-3 | 225 |
| 22. | Colorado | 9-3 | 215 |
| 23. | Army | 10-1 | 196 |
| 24. | Memphis | 10-2 | 187 |
| 25. | Syracuse | 9-3 | 108 |
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 90; Duke 39; Tulane 37; Louisville 18; Kansas State 15; Louisiana 11; Michigan 2; Georgia Tech 2; Miami (OH) 1; Iowa 1.
AP Top 25
Now, let’s take a look at the AP Top 25 for Week 15:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points (No. 1 votes) |
| 1. | Oregon | 12-0 | 1,550 (62) |
| 2. | Texas | 11-1 | 1,484 |
| 3. | Penn State | 11-1 | 1,378 |
| 4. | Notre Dame | 11-1 | 1,373 |
| 5. | Georgia | 10-2 | 1,302 |
| 6. | Tennessee | 10-2 | 1,200 |
| 7. | Ohio State | 10-2 | 1,174 |
| 8. | SMU | 11-1 | 1,127 |
| 9. | Indiana | 11-1 | 1,059 |
| 10. | Boise State | 11-1 | 1,036 |
| 11. | Alabama | 9-3 | 840 |
| 12. | Arizona State | 10-2 | 832 |
| 13. | South Carolina | 9-3 | 789 |
| 14. | Miami (FL) | 10-2 | 756 |
| 15. | Ole Miss | 9-3 | 717 |
| 16. | Iowa State | 10-2 | 647 |
| 17. | BYU | 10-2 | 548 |
| 18. | Clemson | 9-3 | 502 |
| 19. | UNLV | 10-2 | 340 |
| 20. | Colorado | 9-3 | 295 |
| 21. | Illinois | 9-3 | 274 |
| 22. | Missouri | 9-3 | 214 |
| 23. | Syracuse | 9-3 | 206 |
| 24. | Army | 10-1 | 182 |
| 25. | Memphis | 10-2 | 121 |
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 93, Louisville 45, Duke 30, Kansas State 10, Tulane 9, LSU 6, Louisiana-Lafayette 5, Florida 4, Michigan 1, Baylor 1.
As we gear up for the conference championships, the excitement is palpable. Which teams will rise to the occasion? Who will secure their spot in the College Football Playoff? One thing is for sure: the drama of college football is far from over!
