Graphic by the College Football Playoff
Only 23 teams with one loss or less remain in the FBS and only eight are still undefeated; let’s see where they’re all ranked.
1. Oregon (8-0) (Last Week #1) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I thought # Illinois would challenge Oregon at least a little, but the Ducks blew the doors off them 38-9. It was 38-3 at halftime and Oregon took their foot off the gas in the second half. Dillon Gabriel is in competition with Cam Ward as to who the best quarterback in college football is this season. They may both get to New York in December as Heisman finalists.
2. Penn State (7-0) (Last Week #2) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Nittany Lions had a fight early with the Badgers in Madison, Wisconsin but they pulled away late behind the strong running game of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Penn State hosts Ohio State next week in an essential elimination game as far as the Big Ten Championship is concerned and the loser suffering a blow to their playoff aspirations. Penn State fans have to hate Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff since it’s kept them from bring their White Out and electric night game atmosphere to bare on Ohio State for two seasons now. Even more importantly, whether Drew Allar starts against the Buckeyes for the second straight season or Beau Pribula makes his first career start against Ohio State will be huge factors in this pivotal game.
3. Miami (8-0) (Last Week #3) (Ranked #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Hurricanes had an off game, Cam Ward didn’t throw or run for a touchdown… But he caught one! And The U won by 22. Damien Martinez and the Miami running being able to take over like they did against FSU and Louisville just makes the Canes that much more dangerous both in the ACC and in the post season.
4. Iowa State (6-0) (Last Week #4) (Ranked #11 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Cyclones have the week off. They host Texas Tech on November 2nd. Rocco Becht and Matt Campbell have ISU tied with BYU for first place in the Big 12.
5. BYU (8-0) (Last Week #5) (Ranked #9 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
No team is exceeding expectations in all of college football as much BYU. BYU was expected by most people outside of the fanbase to go 4-8 or 5-7 again. But behind the improved turnover free play of quarterback Jake Retzlaff, the running of running back L.J. Martin, and the coaching of Kalani Sitake, the Cougars are 8-0. They’ve scored over 30 in every game since their early 18-15 victory over #13 SMU. The Cougars have their last off week before their biggest game of the season in the Holy War against the Utes of Utah in Salt Lake City.
6. Indiana (8-0) (Last Week #6) (Ranked #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Hoosiers are the next best team in the B1G after #1 Oregon. They’ve scored 31 or more in every game this year. Their last four teams are teams that have crushed them over the years. Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and chief rival Purdue. Given how these teams and the Hoosiers are playing this year, 10-2 seems the worst case scenario and 12-0 a realistic possibility. Hoosier fans need to enjoy the Curt Cignetti Era in Bloomington. There’s no doubt in my mind that a bigger school will be after him if he wins double-digit games in his first year at Indiana.
7. Pittsburgh (7-0) (Last Week #7) (Ranked #18 and #17 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Pitt absolutely crushed the Syracuse Orange. On a Thursday night game in which they honored Panthers legend Larry Fitzgerald Pat Narduzzi’s squad put the college football world on notice. With Eli Holstein playing well at quarterback and Coach Narduzzi said he’s fine, Pitt is a good team in serious contention for the ACC Championship and therefore a playoff berth.
8. Army (7-0) (Last Week #8) (Ranked #21 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Black Knights of Army have the week off before they host rival Air Force.
9. Notre Dame (7-1) (Last Week #11) (Ranked #8 and #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It’s time for your weekly “How-the-heck-did-Notre-Dame-lose-to-NIU?” moment! The Irish sunk Navy 51-14. Notre Dame forced six Midshipmen turnovers and cruised to 7-1. They have next week off before welcoming hapless Florida State to South Bend. Notre Dame needs Navy, Texas A&M, and Army (if they beat them) to win to strengthen their schedule as far as an at-large playoff berth goes. The Irish get there if they finish 11-1.
10. Texas A&M (7-1) (Last Week #12) (Ranked #10 and #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Seven straight after the opening loss to Notre Dame has been impressive for Texas A&M. Especially when you realize it’s year one for Mike Elko. Anyone who says it’s tough to win right away is looking silly thanks to guys like Elko and Curt Cignetti (and maybe Deion Sanders). Marcel Reed is a weapon that the Aggies are going to have to use whether they decide he’s the starting quarterback or not. With only South Carolina, New Mexico State, and Auburn left before the renewal of the Lone Star Showdown, the Aggies should be 10-1 when they welcome the Longhorns to the Home of the 12th Man.
11. Kansas State (7-1) (Last Week #13) (Ranked #17 and #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
After a victory in a classic Sunflower State Showdown, Kansas State continues to march toward a Big 12 Championship and hopefully a rematch with BYU. Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens continue to lead the K-State offense. The Wildcats remaining schedule isn’t easy but doable. They visit 4-4 Houston, are at home against 5-2 Arizona State and 5-3 Cincinnati, before Farmageddon in Iowa against the ISU Cyclones.
12. Boise State (6-1) (Last Week #14) (Ranked #15 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Boise got punched in the mouth against UNLV but like Rocky Marciano they took that punch delivered and a little more back and beat the Rebels. Heisman leader Ashton Jeanty found it tough sledding for most the game but he had a huge fourth quarter. Not only did he punch it into the endzone on fourth and one for the touchdown that made the game 29-24. He also was big helping the Broncos move the chains when they got the ball back, with the lead 8:07 to go in the fourth. Thanks to him and his offensive line they moved the ball slowly but surely and never gave the ball back to UNLV.
13. SMU (7-1) (Last Week #15) (Ranked #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
After a back-and-forth battle between the Mustangs and the Blue Devils, SMU was able to beat Duke in overtime. SMU scored first behind star running back Brashard Smith and Duke too scored quickly on their first possession. But the Blue Devils got greedy and decided to bet the whole game on one offensive play and went for two. They didn’t get it and that moved SMU to 7-1 and still tied with Pitt, Clemson, and Miami for first place in the ACC. Next week they’ll break that tie with Pittsburgh one way or another as they welcome the Panthers to Dallas.
14. Tennessee (6-1) (Last Week #16) (Ranked #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Vols have the week off before they welcome a third straight rival to Knoxville. The Kentucky Wildcats will visit Tennessee in Neyland Stadium on November 2nd.
15. Georgia (6-1) (Last Week #17) (Ranked # 2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Georgia has the week off before the Dawgs travel to Jacksonville to take on rival Florida in The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party on November 2nd.
16. Texas (6-1) (Last Week #18) (Ranked #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Texas and Ohio State are tough to get a bead on. After losing heartbreaking games that they had circled at the beginning of their years we were left wondering just how good they were and didn’t really get any answers today. Texas struggled with Vandy and had to recover an onside kick with under a minute to go to hold on to their win. Quinn Ewers had some touchdowns but also interceptions, so the question remains, how good is Texas? Next on November 9th they host a down Florida Gators squad who will have just played Georgia.
17. Ohio State (6-1) (Last Week #19) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
If a lot people in Ohio are bald it’s because they root for a team that makes them pull their hair out. Ohio State is even more difficult to figure out than Texas. They have a solid day passing but can’t run the ball with a patchwork offensive line. They play well defensively yet still some big name stars struggle. Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith are playing elite though, and they’ll need them to when they go to Penn State next week.
18. Washington State (6-1) (Last Week #18) (Ranked #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
At the risk of repeating myself, no one is suffering more for the Pac-12’s pride in 2024 than Washington State. They’re 7-1 with a dynamic quarterback and offense. They could finish 11-1 and be left completely out of the College Football Playoffs. If they had joined the Big 12 or even the Mountain West they’d have a shot at the playoffs this year. But as it is none of the outstanding play by John Mateer can get them there.
19. Clemson (6-1) (Unranked Last Week) (Ranked #11 and #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Clemson and the fighting Dabos had the week off. Clemson is like a few other one-loss, big name programs, you’re just not sure of them. But they have plenty of chances left to prove themselves. They get 5-3 Virginia Tech, 5-3 Louisville, 7-0 Pittsburgh, and ending the season in the Palmetto Bowl against South Carolina.
20. Memphis (7-1) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked and Ranked #25 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Tigers are 7-1 and their steadiness as a program could open big doors for them. Some Power Four conference needs to scoop them up. They’d only be a help to the Big 12 or the ACC. The Pac-12 would be smart to court them but that would be a lateral move at best. The Big 12 or the ACC would be the best for them. In the meantime, they’re going to keep competing for AAC Championships. And that will lead to bigger things for Memphis.
21. Navy (6-1) (Last Week #9) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Navy ran into the buzzsaw that has been Notre Dame in 2024 when they aren’t playing MAC teams. The Irish dominated Navy by 37 and forced some uncharacteristic turnovers by the Midshipmen. The good news for Navy is that if they win out, they’ll be AAC Champions and give the selection committee a tough task on whether or not to let them in the playoffs this year.
22. Louisiana (6-1) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Ragin’ Cajuns are one of only six Group of Five teams left with only one loss or less and theirs is a quiet record. Army, Boise State, Memphis, Washington State, and Navy are the others. Their lone loss was by a touchdown in a shootout against interstate and Group of Five rival Tulane. They play Texas State on Tuesday to try to keep their good season going.
23. Alabama (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Ranked #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
What Alabama did right this week was get back to the identity of Alabama football that Nick Saban built. They ran the ball well and didn’t turn it over on offense and on defense they forced three turnovers, held Mizzou to under 250 total yards and pitched a shutout. Bama needed a game like this against a decent team like Missouri to salvage their season and hopes for a berth in the 12-team playoff. If they can finish 10-2 it would take a lot to keep them out. LSU, Mercer (seriously, Bama?) Oklahoma and Auburn stand in the way. If they get left out maybe they’ll stop scheduling FCS teams like Mercer in November.
24. Ole Miss (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Ranked #19 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With trips to Arkansas and Florida and home against Georgia and Mississippi State, we’ll find out soon enough how good Ole Miss actually is. They have star power in Jaxson Dart but seems like the best they could hope for by the end of the regular season is 9-3. We’ll see how it shakes out.
25. Colorado (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Ranked #23 and Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Lots of people love to hate on Colorado but I love them. I love the positivity and faith of Coach Prime. They’re in third place in the Big 12 and have a very manageable schedule at Texas Tech, Utah, at Kansas, and the finale against Oklahoma State. There’s no reason they shouldn’t finish 10-2. They’d need help to get into the Big 12 Championship and the college football playoffs but double digit wins and a Heisman trophy finalist or two in year two of the Coach Prime Era would be pretty good for the Buffaloes.
26. Illinois (6-2)
27. Duke (6-2)
28. Arizona State (6-2)
29. LSU (6-2)
30. Missouri (6-2)
Game of the Week
Surprisingly, not a single part of my playoff projections changed from last week to this week. Maybe the only time so far this year that that is the case.
College Football Playoff and Record Projections
- Oregon 13-0
- Georgia 12-1
- Miami 13-0
- Iowa State 13-0
- Notre Dame 11-1
- Ohio State 11-2
- Texas 11-2
- BYU 12-1
- Penn State 11-1
- Boise State 12-1
- Texas A&M 10-2
- Indiana 11-1
First Round
5. Notre Dame (11-1) vs. 12. Indiana (11-1)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – South Bend, Indiana
6. Ohio State (11-2) vs. 11. Texas A&M (10-2)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Columbus, Ohio
7. Texas (11-2) vs. 10. Boise State (12-1)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Austin, Texas
8. BYU (12-1) vs. 9. Penn State (11-1)
Friday, December 20th, 2024 – Provo, Utah
Quarterfinals
1. Oregon (13-0) vs. 8. BYU (13-1) in the Rose Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Pasadena, California
2. Georgia (12-1) vs. 7. Texas (12-2) in the Sugar Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Miami (13-0) vs. 6. Ohio State (12-2) in the Peach Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
4. Iowa State (13-0) vs. 5. Notre Dame (12-1) in the Fiesta Bowl
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 – Phoenix, Arizona
Semifinals
1. Oregon (14-0) vs. 5. Notre Dame (13-1) in the Cotton Bowl
Friday, January 10th, 2025 – Dallas, Texas
2. Georgia (13-1) vs. 6. Ohio State (13-2) in the Orange Bowl
Thursday, January 9th, 2025 – Miami, Florida
Championship
Monday, January 20th, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
1. Oregon (15-0) over 2. Georgia (14-1)
2024 National Champions are the 16-0 Oregon Ducks
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