The college football landscape has been turned on its head after a weekend of shocking upsets and unexpected results. With chaos reigning supreme, the race for the College Football Playoff is wide open and anything is possible.
Welcome to the 2024 college football season, where the past weekend has proven that anything is possible.
Texas, fresh off a bye and owning one ranked win, has moved up to No. 1 in the AP Poll after Alabama's stunning loss to Vanderbilt. The college football axion has been activated, as anyone can get their kicked, any time, any day.
CFP Projections Shake Up After Unpredictable Week in College Football
Arkansas embarrassed Tennessee, turning the Vols into a red solo cup of Volunteers. Texas A&M humiliated Mizzou, while Alabama suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of the Commodores. Vanderbilt, now known as Vander-BUILT, stood over Alabama and declared, "Is this your king?"
Alabama's loss to Vanderbilt has magnified the absurdity of Georgia's loss to Alabama. Vanderbilt had never defeated a No. 1 or even a No. 5 team before this weekend. With Alabama ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 Poll, it's clear that the SEC is in a state of chaos.
CFP Projections Shake Up After Unpredictable Week in College Football
Despite the SEC's dominance in the AP Top 25 Poll, with nine teams ranked, the Super Conference bias remains strong. The Big Ten also boasts seven ranked teams, with four in the top 10. The Big 12 and ACC may struggle to get a second team into the 12-team CFP field.
Even with Texas as the last undefeated team in the SEC, a 10-2 SEC team will likely make the playoff. Texas A&M's win against Missouri has also propelled Notre Dame back into the CFP hunt, while A&M itself has entered the race.
CFP Projections Shake Up After Unpredictable Week in College Football
RJ Young's CFP projections have undergone a major shakeup after this weekend:
1. Ohio State (5-0)
CFP Projections Shake Up After Unpredictable Week in College Football
2. Texas (5-0)
3. Miami (Fla.) (6-0)
CFP Projections Shake Up After Unpredictable Week in College Football
4. Iowa State (5-0)
5. Oregon (5-0)
6. Georgia (4-1)
7. Penn State (5-0)
8. Clemson (4-1)
9. BYU (5-0)
10. Tennessee (4-1)
11. Oklahoma (4-1)
12. Boise State (4-1)
The first-round matchups, based on these projections, would be:
1. Ohio State: Bye (would face Clemson or BYU)
2. Texas: Bye (would face Penn State or Tennessee)
3. Miami: Bye (would face Georgia or Oklahoma)
4. Iowa State: Bye (would face Oregon or Boise State)
5. Oregon (Big Ten championship runner-up) vs. 12. Boise State (highest-ranked Group of 5 champion)
6. Georgia (SEC championship runner-up) vs. 11. Oklahoma (one of the top-12 teams)
7. Penn State (one of the top-12 teams) vs. 10. Tennessee (one of the top-12 teams)
8. BYU (Big 12 championship runner-up) vs. 9. Clemson (ACC championship runner-up)
The chaos of the past weekend has made the CFP race wide open, with a rematch of Oregon vs. Boise State being a potential highlight. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has been a force to be reckoned with, leading all FBS running backs in rushing yards.
Penn State vs. Tennessee is a matchup that would pit two programs that would have benefited from an extended playoff, while Clemson vs. BYU would be a historical battle between two young teams.
The college football landscape is in constant flux, and this weekend has proven that anything can happen. The CFP race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent memory.
