Graphic by the College Football Playoff
Oregon, BYU, Indiana, and Army are at the top of the rankings. They’re the only four remaining undefeated FBS teams. However, almost every team in the top 25 is still alive for the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoffs.
1. Oregon (10-0) (Last Week #1) (#1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Another week, another win for the Ducks. Oregon just keeps marching on with Dillon Gabriel and Dan Lanning. They routed Maryland 38-19. All that stands between Oregon and 12-0 is 5-4 Wisconsin on the road and 5-5 Washington at home.
2. BYU (9-0) (Last Week #3) (#6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #7 and #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
This is a game you’d rather go into that game 0-8 and win it than go into it 8-0 and lose it. By the most razor thin margins, the Cougars pulled out the win. Utah gave BYU life by committing a penalty on a play that would have ended the game but gave BYU life. A few yards and plays later BYU kicked the game winning field goal to secure the 22-21 win.
3. Indiana (10-0) (Last Week #4) (#5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #5 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
10-0 for the first time in program history! The Hoosiers struggled with the best team they played so far. And yes, that team is 5-5, but Indiana held on against them to get to 10-0. Now IU will have the week off before they travel to Columbus to try and beat Ohio State for the first time since 1988. They’ll look to beat them and the team from Ann Arbor in the same season for the first time since 1987.
4. Army (9-0) (Last Week #5) (#24 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #16 and #17 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Bryson Daily led Army with their usual strong rushing attack to victory and their 13th straight win. But the real headline in this game for the Black Knights is their defense against North Texas’ offense. North Texas was averaging 40.8 points per game, good enough for 6th in the nation. Army’s defense was holding opponents to 11.3 points per game, good enough for 1st in the nation. Something had to give, and it wasn’t Army. The Cadets of West Point held North Texas to only three points. They have a rough schedule remaining with Notre Dame, UTSA, and Navy. But with a win over UTSA or a Tulane loss, the Black Knights are in the AAC Championship game.
5. Notre Dame (8-1) (Last Week #6) (#8 College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #8 and #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Notre Dame had a game against a reeling 1-8 team and beat them like they should have 52-3. It’s just a surprise that it was Florida State. The Irish welcome an undefeated foe that could be a signature win for them next week. It’s just a surprise that it’s 9-0 Army. Army has the best defense in the country in points allowed and one of the best rushing attacks behind quarterback Bryson Daily. Notre Dame will need to bring their hard hat and hammer to this game.
6. Boise State (8-1) (Last Week #7) (#13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
They needed every bit of Ashton Jeanty’s big night. But that’s what a Heisman candidate brings you. You struggle with a team you should rout and your guy comes in carries you to victory. Jeanty’s 34 carries for 209 yards and three touchdowns keep the Broncos playoff hopes and his Heisman chances alive.
7. SMU (8-1) (Last Week #8) (#14 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Mustangs had the week off. Next week they play Boston College at home in Dallas.
8. Ohio State (8-1) (Last Week #9) (#2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Buckeyes looked sharp against hapless Purdue. They did the little things you needed to see them continue to do. Their offensive line played well, their defense was great again and improved in the pass rush, and they emphatically won the turnover battle. Hard to read too much into beating 1-8 Purdue, but they did what you’d want them to as a Buckeye fan.
9. Tennessee (8-1) (Last Week #10) (#7 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #6 and #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Dylan Sampson carried the Vols past Mississippi State. Next he’s got a carry Tennessee past a Georgia team that is going to be dangerous and desperate. With Nico Iamealava maybe sidelined it’ll be on the Vols rushing attack and defense to bet the Dawgs. If Sampson carries Tennessee to a win he may find himself alongside Ashton Jeanty in the Heisman race.
10. Texas (8-1) (Last Week #12) (#3 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Texas clobbered Florida just the way you’d expect them to. Deputy Quinn Ewers definitely didn’t need any backup in those one. Ewers was 19 of 27 for 333 yards and five touchdowns. Just what you wanted to see from him if you’re a Longhorns fan. The next highlight for Longhorns fans at home was seeing WWE Hall of Famer and Texas superfan, the Undertaker joining Jesse Palmer and Joe Tessitore in the broadcast booth. Definitely a better superfan for Texas than Matthew McConaughey.
11. Penn State (8-1) (Last Week #13) (#4 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #4 and #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
A solid bounce back game for Penn State, James Franklin, and Drew Allar. While they don’t control their own Big Ten fate, you have to think the Nittany Lions control their own playoff fate. I can’t envision a scenario where they win out and are 11-1 and left out of the first year of 12 teams in the playoffs.
12. Miami (9-1) (Last Week #2) (#9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Cam Ward just couldn’t quite lead them back this time. The good news for the Hurricanes is that they’re still in the running for an ACC Championship and therefore the College Football Playoffs. Ward’s Heisman chances may have been hurt a little but they aren’t gone by any stretch. They have next week off before their home finale against Wake Forest.
13. Washington State (8-1) (Last Week #16) (#18 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #19 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The proverbial man without a country keeps building a successful season but with no way to capitalize on it. I’m not sure that even if they were 9-0 that they’d be in a position to get a playoff berth. The pride of the Pac-12 ruined it, and now its remnant has ruined the Mountain West, and itself. I still hope the Pac-12 and Mountain West will find an agreement for a merger for the sake of the many historical and fun football programs that their pride keeps pulling down. Washington State’s success this season will continue to be a chance to highlight this.
14. Louisiana (8-1) (Last Week #17) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
They may need help to get that G5 playoff spot, but they don’t need any help dominating their conference. The Ragin’ Cajuns blew Arkansas State out of the bayou and back into the Ozarks. Louisiana doesn’t have to leave their home state this month and won’t have to leave Lafayette till the finale against Monroe.
15. Alabama (7-2) (Last Week #18) (#10 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Bama is like a Terminator, just when you think they’re done they come back as strong as ever. Jalen Milroe had nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns (rushing!) against LSU. With Mercer, Oklahoma, and Auburn remaining, Alabama would be disgraced worse than their loss to Vandy if they don’t win all three and finish 10-2.
16. Texas A&M (7-2) (Last Week #19) (#15 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Aggies had a bye this week. Next, they play New Mexico State in College Station.
17. Ole Miss (8-2) (Last Week #21) (#11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #10 and #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Rebels upset over Georgia keeps all of their post-season hopes alive. And they did it with their defense, which stuffed Georgia, holding the Dawgs to 10. They have the week off before traveling to reeling Florida and hosting even worse Mississippi State. If they get to 10-2, they’ll likely get a playoff spot and with Jaxson Dart, they have a chance against anyone they play.
18. Kansas State (7-2) (Last Week #22) (#16 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #20 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Wildcats had the week off. Next, K-State welcomes Arizona State to town.
19. Colorado (7-2) (Last Week #23) (#17 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #18 and #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I can’t help but admire and enjoy what Coach Prime is doing at Colorado. I know he’s got a lot of haters but I’m not one of them. They’re now in a position that if they win out, they will play for the Big 12 Championship and a playoff spot. With Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State left on the schedule Colorado will be the favorite in their final three games and should get to Arlington.
20. Arizona State (7-2) (Last Week #24) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
ASU is tied for third in the Big 12 standings with four other teams, but the good news is they play one of those teams and one of the teams ahead of them. If they win the rest of their games, they would have a great chance to make the Big 12 title game. Those chances increase the sooner Cam Skattebo can come back from injury!
21. Missouri (7-2) (Last Week #25) (#23 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (#24 and #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It was pretty ugly for a while, but Missouri finally beat Oklahoma 30-23. They missed Brady Cook, but still got the win. The good news is that with South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Arkansas left on the schedule all of Mizzou’s remaining games are winnable for Eli Drinkwitz’s team.
22. Georgia (7-2) (Last Week #11) (#12 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #11 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I don’t know how Georgia lost on the same field to the same team that Kentucky beat. But then again, Georgia barely beat Kentucky. How did they bulldoze Texas? Because this was their first loss in the regular season to a team not named Alabama since 2020, they can still make the playoffs. Maybe even the conference championship game with two losses. But they still have to beat Tennessee next week and an underrated Georgia Tech in the season finale to keep their hopes alive.
23. Clemson (7-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#20 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #17 and #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Tigers are another team that despite being 7-2, you just don’t know about. The good news is they still have everything to play for as they face Pitt, The Citadel, and South Carolina. They’re in second place in the ACC and can still play for the championship and a playoff berth. The Pitt game and the Palmetto Bowl should show us who Clemson is in 2024.
24. Tulane (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#25 in the College Football Playoff Rankings)
(Ranked #25 and Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls
I say this every time Tulane gets ranked, but the ACC or the Big 12 or even the SEC need to add them. They’re a Power 4 team playing in the Group of 5. The Green Wave have their toughest two conference foes remaining in Navy and Memphis. Like all G5 teams in conference title contention, Tulane is hoping to win out and get some outside help and maybe a playoff berth.
25. Memphis (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With two conference losses the Tigers don’t control their own destiny as it relates to the pursuit of a conference championship. They need some chaos in AAC to get them in the title game. But finishing strong benefits them regardless. If they get to 11-2 or better it’ll make their position to get invited into a Power 4 school all the stronger.
26. Pitt (7-2)
27. Iowa State (7-2)
28. James Madison (7-2)
29. Sam Houston State (7-2)
30. Western Kentucky (7-2)
Game of the Week
College Football Playoff and Record Projections
- Oregon 13-0
- Texas 12-1
- BYU 13-0
- SMU 12-1
- Ohio State 11-2
- Notre Dame 11-1
- Penn State 11-1
- Boise State 12-1
- Tennessee 11-2
- Ole Miss 10-2
- Indiana 11-1
- Army 12-1
First Round
5. Ohio State (11-2) vs. 12. Army (12-1)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Columbus, Ohio
6. Notre Dame (11-1) vs. 11. Indiana (11-1)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – South Bend, Indiana
7. Penn State (11-1) vs. 10. Ole Miss (10-2)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – State College, Pennsylvania
8. Boise State (12-1) vs. 9. Tennessee (11-2)
Friday, December 20th, 2024 – Boise, Idaho
Quarterfinals
1. Oregon (13-0) vs. 9. Penn State (12-1) in the Rose Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Pasadena, California
2. Texas (12-1) vs. 7. Penn State (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – New Orleans, Louisiana
3. BYU (13-0) vs. 6. Notre Dame (12-1) in the Fiesta Bowl
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 – Phoenix, Arizona
4. SMU (12-1) vs. 5. Ohio State (12-2) in the Peach Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
Semifinals
1. Oregon (14-0) vs. 5. Ohio State (13-2) in the Cotton Bowl
Friday, January 10th, 2025 – Dallas, Texas
2. Texas (13-1) vs. 6. Notre Dame (13-1) in the Orange Bowl
Thursday, January 9th, 2025 – Miami, Florida
Championship
Monday, January 20th, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
1. Oregon (15-0) over 2. Texas (14-1)
2024 National Champions are the 16-0 Oregon Ducks
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