For the last time this regular season, we present updated projections for the College Football Playoff and bowl games following rivalry weekend. This weekend’s outcomes will greatly influence the committee’s decisions for teams vying for the final playoff spots, including BYU, Miami, Vanderbilt, and Texas.
Miami secured its fourth consecutive victory convincingly against Pittsburgh, impacting how the committee will approach its deliberations. Conversely, Texas delivered a resounding performance, defeating Texas A&M and eliminating their unbeaten record.
Locks for Playoffs
As we head into championship weekend, the following teams appear to be firmly positioned:
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Georgia
- Texas Tech
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
With two more spots allocated to ACC and Group of Five champions, the remaining four are competitive with various teams in contention.
Texas Debate
Texas’s triumph over Texas A&M has them with three wins against top-15 teams this season, yet their three losses complicate matters for playoff inclusion. The committee faces the hard task of determining who they would replace in potential playoff scenarios.
Moreover, other teams needing a win to make bowl eligibility included Penn State, Kansas State, and others, with only seven managing to achieve that goal.
Final Projections
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Quarterfinals
- Jan. 1: Rose Bowl - Ohio State vs Winner of (8/9)
- Jan. 1: Sugar Bowl - Georgia vs Winner of (7/10)
- Jan. 1: Orange Bowl - Indiana vs Winner of (6/11)
- Dec. 31: Cotton Bowl - Texas Tech vs Winner of (5/12)
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First Round
- Dec. 19/20: Beijing Stadium - Oklahoma vs Notre Dame, Winner faces Ohio State
- …and more
Note
Check out Brad Crawford’s complete bowl projections.
