Simple math indicated that more teams in contention would translate into greater late-season drama when the College Football Playoff was increased to 12 participants this season.
Before the first formal game is ever played, the extended playoff has already fulfilled its promise in that regard.
With just a weekend of conference title games left before the regular season ends, this is the last opportunity for the great majority of clubs to argue for inclusion. As clubs on the proverbial bubble of the playoffs try to put up their finest show without faltering, games that once would have had no national significance beyond bragging rights are suddenly appointment viewing.
Be grateful for two days of games this weekend that have the potential to make or break the field.
(Note: The College Football Playoff committee is the source of all rankings.)
Big 12
Friday:
-
Oklahoma State (3-8) at No. 25 Colorado (8-3)
On Saturday:
-
No. 16 Arizona State (9-2) at Arizona (4-7)
-
No. 24 Kansas State (8-3) at No. 18 Iowa State (9-2)
-
Houston (4-7) at No. 19 BYU (9-2)
This week, during your holiday feast, do you want to look like the brightest person in the room? Tell your loved ones about all 200+ possible outcomes of the Big 12 championship game. With 6-2 league records, Arizona State, Iowa State, Colorado, and BYU are the four most likely teams to advance to the league championship game, however nine teams are still in the running. In a straight-forward scenario, Iowa State and Arizona State have the most open routes to the championship game.
If both Colorado and BYU had won last week, Colorado coach Deion Sanders could have made the Big 12’s postseason journey easier. Rather, the league’s current turmoil was brought on by their road losses.
The stakes are as follows: The Big 12 has dominated conference play, and it’s likely that a conference championship will be the only chance for any one Big 12 club to qualify for the playoffs.
SEC
On Saturday:
-
Auburn (5-6) at No. 13 Alabama (8-3)
-
No. 8 Tennessee (9-2) at Vanderbilt (6-5)
Georgia has been guaranteed a spot in the SEC championship game. On Saturday, the Bulldogs will play Texas or Texas A&M, two rival schools that coincidentally cross paths for the first time since 2011.
Two-loss Last week’s defeats by Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss hurt the SEC’s hopes of sending up to five teams to the playoffs, with Tennessee benefiting the most. The Vols, who were previously outside the bracket, now seem to be back in. However, the Volunteers must win in Nashville in order to guarantee that. Vanderbilt, once an almost certain SEC victory, is a threat. Ask Alabama.
ACC and Mountain West
On Saturday:
-
No. 15 South Carolina (8-3) at No. 12 Clemson (9-2)
-
No. 6 Miami (10-1) at Syracuse (8-3)
Other leagues, such as the ACC, are now able to add more teams to the 12-team bracket as a result of the SEC rankings’ instability.
SMU will face either Miami or Clemson in the ACC championship game, which it has already earned. The ACC might get three teams into the playoffs if both of those schools win this weekend, though that is not a given. If the Hurricanes lose at Syracuse, they might be able to bounce back from a second defeat and still qualify for the playoffs, but a third defeat would significantly reduce Clemson’s chances of making it. In their rivalry game, they are not the only team hoping to make the playoffs.
If Clemson loses to South Carolina, the Gamecocks’ limited hopes of making the playoffs may be all that remains. We say slim because the Gamecocks’ credentials suffer after losses to Ole Miss and Alabama, two teams that were probably eliminated from the playoffs.
Saturday: No. 11 Boise State (10-1) vs. Oregon State (5-6)
Twenty-five years ago, the Broncos gained notoriety for thwarting the grand intentions of more illustrious opponents. Boise State is attempting to move up in the rankings to perhaps secure a top-four seed and the associated first-round bye as they approach their first playoff berth, with a Mountain West title game looming next week.
Ashton Jeanty, a standout running back and Heisman Trophy contender, has helped his team overcome adversity; three of the Broncos’ previous five victories have been by a margin of seven points or fewer. Can Oregon State defeat the blue-turf darling of college football?
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!