Graphic by the College Football Playoff
Ohio State, SMU, and Texas Tech gave Penn State, Pitt, and Iowa State their first losses of the 2024 season on Saturday. Only five teams remain undefeated and atop the rankings.
1. Oregon (9-0) (Last Week #1) (#1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Any team that beats the team up north by three touchdowns is okay with me. Even if they beat my team by one. Dan Lanning, Dillon Gabriel, and the Ducks are the undisputed #1 team in the country. The only teams to challenge them were Boise State and Ohio State who both have their lone losses to Oregon. With only Maryland, Wisconsin, and Washington left the Ducks should be 12-0 when they play for the Big Ten Championship in December.
2. Miami (9-0) (Last Week #3) (#4 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It was close for a while there but the decisive win for the Hurricanes over Duke has them as my #2 team in the nation. Cam Ward is the best quarterback in college football in 2024 and a Heisman candidate. He had 400 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air. Next week Ward and the Canes travel to Atlanta to take on the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech.
3. BYU (8-0) (Last Week #5) (#9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Cougars had this week off before their biggest game of the season when they travel to their team up north and visit Salt Lake City to take on the Utes in the Holy War.
4. Indiana (9-0) (Last Week #6) (#8 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #8 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Hoosiers are on fire. Kurtis Rourke was back today and they blew Michigan State away, scoring 47 unanswered points to win 47-10 on the road. They still have to battle two foes who have crushed them over the years. They host the team from Ann Arbor next week before they have a week off and travel to Ohio State. The Hoosiers are having a historic season and are hungry for more. Wolverine and Buckeye fans alike have to have some worries about IU.
5. Army (8-0) (Last Week #8) (#25 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #18 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Black Knights beat rival Air Force without star quarterback Bryson Daily. They’ll need him back sooner than later with a trip to Denton next week to take on the high-flying North Texas Mean Green. They can’t overlook them for their game at #6 Notre Dame on November 23rd. Then they face a critical game against UTSA that could decide if they make it to the AAC and stay in the Group of Five playoff contention. The Roadrunners upset Memphis today, meaning Army has no foes on their schedule that they can take lightly as they fight to stay unbeaten.
6. Notre Dame (7-1) (Last Week #9) (#10 College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #10 and #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Fighting Irish have the week off before they welcome reeling Florida State to South Bend.
7. Boise State (7-1) (Last Week #12) (#12 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #12 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Broncos just keep marching onward and upward. Their last two games have shown they can pass the ball when teams key on Heisman leader Ashton Jeanty. Nevada comes to the blue turf next and with SJSU, Wyoming, and Oregon State left, Boise State should be 11-1 when they play for the Mountain West Championship, a Heisman trophy, and playoff berth.
8. SMU (8-1) (Last Week #13) (#13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #13 and #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Mustangs kicked the Panthers to the curb Saturday night. SMU is now tied for first place with #2 Miami in the ACC thanks to their 48-25 beat down of previously unbeaten Pitt. Kevin Jennings and Brashard Smith are an elite quarterback-running back tandem. Only Boston College, Virginia, and Cal stand between the Mustangs and an ACC Championship Game appearance in year one of SMU being in the Power 4.
9. Ohio State (7-1) (Last Week #17) (#2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
A big, big win for Ohio State. I’ve been a vocal critic of Coach Day and his record in big games so I have give him credit where it’s due. This was an important win for him and the Buckeyes. With this win, they are poised and have some confidence going forward. Confidence to get through Purdue, Northwestern, Indiana, and that team up north. 11-1 will get them a rematch against Oregon in Indy and likely a playoff berth regardless of the outcome of that rematch.
10. Tennessee (7-1) (Last Week #14) (#7 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #7 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Vols won their third straight rivalry game at home over Kentucky 28-18. With their remaining schedule of Mississippi State, Georgia, UTEP, and Vanderbilt Tennessee should finish no worse than 10-2 and have a real possibility of 11-1. Dylan Sampson is the best running back in the SEC and the UT defense is much improved. Tennessee is a playoff team at 10-2 or better.
11. Georgia (7-1) (Last Week #15) (#3 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Bulldogs had trouble with the Gators for most of the game before pulling away for a 34-20 win. Carson Beck and the Dawgs offense was stymied at times enough to make UGA fans concerned. The thing is though, this is just what Georgia does. In their back-to-back title run they would struggle in games they shouldn’t only to turn into the Leviathan they always are in big games. Georgia is still Georgia in the good, bad, and terrifying ways.
12. Texas (7-1) (Last Week #16) (#5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Longhorns had a bye this week. Next week they’ll welcome the Florida Gators to Austin.
13. Penn State (7-1) (Last Week #2) (#6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #6 and #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Six straight losses to Ohio State. 1-13 against the AP Top 5 under James Franklin. This had to be a brutal, soul-snatching loss for Penn State. The very good news for PSU is that with Washington, Purdue, Minnesota, and Maryland remaining on the schedule, they should very well be 11-1 and essentially a lock for an at-large playoff berth. Nittany Lion fans won’t be satisfied with that though, they need a big-time win on the big stage.
14. Iowa State (7-1) (Last Week #4) (#17 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #17 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
ISU took a shot on the chin in the rain at home against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are a team that you’re never sure of what you’re going to get from them. Next, the Cyclones take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Arrowhead Stadium which should be a game they’re favored in.
15. Pittsburgh (7-1) (Last Week #7) (#18 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Pitt ate their first loss of the year and it was a bitter one. SMU beat them like a drum. They now need help to get to the ACC Championship. They need someone else to beat SMU or trip up Miami. Their remaining schedule is no joke either with home games against Virginia and Clemson before two road games at Louisville and Boston College to close the season. Eli Holstein and Pat Narduzzi’s defense will need to bounce back in a big way. Starting with Virginia.
16. Washington State (7-1) (Last Week #18) (#21 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Wazzou had a bye this week. Next, they welcome the Utah State Aggies to Pullman.
17. Louisiana (7-1) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Ragin’ Cajuns beat Texas State 23-17 on Tuesday night to stay at the top of the Sun Belt standings. They also have the best record in the state and with LSU being 6-2, Tulane 7-2, and UL-Monroe 5-3, that is an impressive feat this year. They need some help and chaos among Group of Five teams, but their hopes of being the first G5 school in the playoffs aren’t dead yet.
18. Alabama (6-2) (Last Week #23) (#11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Tide have the week off after their win over Missouri. Up next, they travel to Baton Rouge to take on old familiar foe LSU.
19. Texas A&M (7-2) (Last Week #10) (#14 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #15 and #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Aggies seven-game winning streak was snapped by South Carolina. Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks tend to do that to someone every year. The good news for A&M is that they had a seven-game winning streak in year one of the Mike Elko Era. The other good news is their still tied for first place in the SEC (with Georgia) and control their own destiny. If they beat New Mexico State and Auburn (which they should easily), then the renewal of the Lone Star Shootout becomes an SEC semifinal. The Aggies still can do what every team in the SEC hopes to, win the conference, make the playoffs.
20. LSU (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#15 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #14 and #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Tigers have the week off before hosting Bama in Death Valley.
21. Ole Miss (7-2) (Last Week #24) (#16 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #16 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I thought Ole Miss would have trouble with Arkansas on the road. Boy was I wrong there! Jaxson Dart made a fool out of me going 25 of 31 for 515 yards and six touchdowns! His favorite target Jordan Watkins had eight catches for 254 yards and five touchdowns. The Rebels butchered the Hogs 63-31. On November 9th, they welcome Georgia to Oxford.
22. Kansas State (7-1) (Last Week #11) (#19 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #22 and #21 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
23. Colorado (6-2) (Last Week #25) (#20 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #21 and #24 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Coach Prime, Travis Hunter, and the Buffs have the week off before they travel to Lubbock, Texas to take on the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Tech did them a favor this week knocking off ISU. Colorado and Iowa State are tied for second in the Big 12 now.
24. Arizona State (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
An underrated Big 12 team that still has a lot to say about their wide-open conference. That’s who Arizona State is. They aren’t guaranteed a spot in the Big 12 title game if they win out. But if they beat UCF, Kansas State, BYU, and Arizona their second year under Kenny Dillingham will be felt across the conference. Maybe across the nation.
25. Missouri (6-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#24 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked and #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Mizzou was off this week but finds themselves back in the top 25. They have a very manageable schedule left with Oklahoma, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Arkansas. None of those teams should be favored over the Tigers. Double-digit wins is not a far-fetched achievement for Missouri in 2024.
26. Clemson (6-2)
27. Syracuse (6-2)
28. Tulane (7-2)
29. James Madison (6-2)
30. Sam Houston State (7-2)
Game of the Week
College Football Playoff and Record Projections
- Oregon 13-0
- Georgia 12-1
- Miami 13-0
- BYU 13-0
- Ohio State 11-2
- Notre Dame 11-1
- Texas 11-2
- Penn State 11-1
- Boise State 12-1
- Tennessee 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. Texas (11-2) vs. 10. Tennessee (10-2)
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 – Austin, Texas
8. Boise State (12-1) vs. 9. Penn State (11-1)
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. 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. Notre Dame (12-1) in the Peach Bowl
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia
4. BYU (13-0) vs. 5. Ohio State (12-2) in the Fiesta Bowl
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 – Phoenix, Arizona
Semifinals
1. Oregon (14-0) vs. 5. Ohio State (13-2) in the Cotton Bowl
Friday, January 10th, 2025 – Dallas, Texas
2. Georgia (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. Georgia (14-1)
2024 National Champions are the 16-0 Oregon Ducks
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