It’s the rule, not the exception, this college football season: Madness is coming on Saturday.
That was the case again this week, as more turmoil rocked the college football world and even as the postseason moved a week closer, the picture of the College Football Playoff became increasingly blurred.
No. No. 16 Ole Miss defeated No. 3 Georgia in the main upset of the day as the Rebels try to earn a spot in the CFP.
No. 4 Miami fell from the ranks of the undefeated by ultimately finding itself defeated at Georgia Tech, 28-23.
And BYU came back to score a field goal in the last second to defeat rival Utah in the Holy War.
What does the wild weekend mean in terms of the College Football Playoff?
Here is my latest College Football Playoff projection after another downright wild weekend of games.
Just a friendly reminder before we get started – this is based on what I think will happen, combined with what this college football season has already done.
Big changes at the top this week.
Georgia’s loss to Ole Miss makes their path to the SEC Championship game that much more difficult, while it’s hard not to see Texas as the most manageable path right now.
The ACC is currently a flop, but even with the loss, Miami still likely remains the top pick. However, the ACC’s chances of getting a second bid took a major blow with the Hurricanes’ loss at Georgia Tech.
BYU came within seconds of suffering its first loss, perhaps dropping all the way to No. 12 in the projection. Instead, he sneaks by and wins, retaining the top four spot and the bye that comes with it.
1. Ohio State
2.Texas
3. Miami (FL)
4. BYU
Oregon remains undefeated after easily past Maryland on Saturday. The Ducks are currently ranked No. 1, but I would still pick Ohio State in a rematch in Indianapolis, which would be the Big Ten Championship game.
Penn State got a lot of love from the CFP committee, which ranked sixth this week. With a very favorable remaining schedule, it’s hard to see the Nittany Lions disappearing.
Meanwhile, Georgia is holding on to a home game despite losing at Ole Miss, but that’s partly because I expect it to beat Tennessee next week.
Notre Dame continues to destroy everything in its path since the Northern Illinois debacle, defeating Florida State 52-3.
5. Oregon
6. Penn State
7. Georgia
8. Notre Dame
Tennessee’s win over Alabama carries heavy weight to stay above the Crimson Tide, even after Alabama’s dominance at LSU.
Indiana got its biggest scare of the season when Michigan challenged it all four quarters on Saturday. What can the Hoosiers do next week on their trip to Ohio State?
BYU’s win keeps it from falling all the way to 12th and likely moves Boise State up to No. 4. I wouldn’t be surprised if Boise State moves up in the rankings, but as of now, it’s no longer possible to play Boise State close. enough to put them past one of the Power Four candidates.
9. Tennessee
10. Alabama
11.Indiana
12. Boise State
First round byes:
1. Ohio State
2.Texas
3. Miami
4. BYU
First round games:
5. Oregon vs. 12. Boise State
6. Penn State vs. 11. Indiana
7. Georgia vs. 10. Alabama
8. Notre Dame vs. 9. Tennessee
Second round games:
1. Ohio State vs. 8. Notre Dame
4. BYU vs. 5. Oregon
3. Miami vs. 6. Penn State
2. Texas vs. 7. Georgia
Semi-Final Games
1. Ohio State vs. 5. Oregon
2. Texas vs. 6. Penn State
National Championship
5. Oregon over 2. Texas
Nick Shepkowski’s quick thought:
If you need a reminder of the importance of sowing, see how this turns out. If Penn State gets the six seed, that means it will get a home game against Indiana and a neutral court game against a very flawed Miami team.
If you’re a Notre Dame fan, then you’re hoping like everyone else that the Irish can climb to get into the top six and get a lineup like that.