November 5, 2024, an important day for America. It is the day where we elect local, state, and federal officials, as well as our new president of the USA. But it’s also an important day for College Football, as today marks the first of the official College Football Rankings. The rankings up to this point were based on the AP polls, largely due to teams trying to figure out their identity early on. But now we’re in week 10, the first of many polls that will be released every Tuesday, determining the fate of many teams across the country. And with this week full of more chaos, the voters definitely had a bit harder time trying to get these polls the way they were.
New Year, Same Old James Franklin. #4 Ohio State Comes Up in a (Predictable) Upset Against #3 Penn State
It seems like every year that Penn State gets highly ranked, always in the top 5, and everyone says it’s their year. And yet, they always lose to either Ohio State or Michigan, get knocked back in the rankings, and never make it to the big dance. James Franklin goes from possible coach of the year to wanting to be fired off into the sun;
Such is the case this year. The newly ranked 2nd Ohio State came into Penn State, dominated the trenches, and secured a major win in the standings of the BIG 10. While this does knock Penn State to #6, the 12-team playoff will show them some mercy. They won’t need to win the conference in order to guarantee a spot, but it will force them to take on, as of now, Notre Dame. For Ohio State, it seems their matchup against newly ranked #8 Indiana on 11/23, will fully determine who could potentially face #1 ranked Oregon in the conference championship game. Penn State would have to hope that Indiana and Ohio State can start to fall apart before their major matchup for a chance to get to the championship game. But until then, expect to hear the calls of James Franklin’s departure throughout the rest of the season.
As Is Tradition, South Carolina Crushes #10 Texas A&M Showing They Can Take on Contenders(For That One Game Every Season)
It seems I may have jinxed Texas A&M, as they were formally #10, had a huge chance to win out, and almost guaranteed a playoff berth. Their only magic matchup would be against a renewed rivalry against newly ranked #5 Texas on rivalry week, so as long as they keep winning out, they should get a spot right?
Well that was the case until they went into Willy B Stadium
The South Carolina Gamecocks absolutely dominated the Aggies, 44-20. The defensive line shut down Marceel Reed and their offensive line, not giving them a chance. South Carolina doesn’t have a huge chance to make it to the playoffs as this was the “One Time Win Against A Contender A Year” matchup they typically have. As for Texas A&M, they’re now currently ranked #14, only behind SMU(?!). But that matchup against #5 Texas will be make or break for the Aggies, so a chance at making the playoffs is still very much alive for the Aggies. Until then, they have another trap game this week against…Vanderbilt…good luck!
Two #11 Teams Fall Down The Same Day! Clemson and Iowa State’s Championship Hopes Start To Crumble
The AP poll had two teams tied at #11 before the Saturday games came along, Clemson and Iowa State. And now, Alabama gets to take their spots, as these two teams lost very harsh games to divisional opponents.
For Clemson, The Louisville Cardinals smacked them around at their “Death Valley”, 33-21. It seems close to the naked eye, but from start to finish, they ran and threw the ball down their throats, not even making it close. The loss hits them right back to #23, and now their only hope is that #13 SMU can somehow slip up in the weeks ahead. And if they don’t, they need to start the uncomfortable conversation about canning Dabo Swinney and start the very hard way to get new talent: The Transfer Portal(Seriously, in a time where players can easily go to any college to play, you don’t utilize it?! The only other schools who don’t use the portal are the service academies!)
For Iowa State, their homecoming would end up being spoiled by the Texas Tech Red Raiders, beating them in a close victory, 23-22. This result will push them down to #17, but the good news is that there is no other BIG 12 team closer to the #9 ranked … BYU cougars. Again, somehow, someway, they are #9 in the nation and could even end up winning the conference. And if they do, then this season would just go up in flames.
Conference Watches: How One Week Dismantled Contender’s Hopes and Elevated Newcomer’s Dreams.
SEC
With Texas A&M losing, Georgia is the top-ranked team in the conference, ranked at #3. The next closest competitors would be #5 Texas, #7 Tennessee, and somehow #11 Alabama. Georgia would face #16 Ole Miss this week, and then #7 Tennessee, next week. If the Bulldogs can pull off major victories in the upcoming weeks, expect to see them in the playoffs once again. For Alabama, that matchup against #15 LSU this week is absolutely crucial for both teams. Whoever wins this game keeps their playoff chances alive, and the loser? Well, time to start having the talk about possibly firing your head coach.
BIG 10
Oregon Stands at #1 in the nation, after Handley dominated last year’s national championship winner, Michigan. Now it seems like only three opponents can face them for the conference winner. The next best team would be #2 Ohio State, after beating, once again, #5 Penn State. Penn State still has a chance, but would need Ohio State and another special team to start crumbling soon. And that third, special team? That would be #8 Indiana. #8 Indiana and #2 Ohio State will face off against each other on 11/23, and if Penn State can’t find a way to catch up, it seems like this match-up will determine who faces Oregon for the title, and keep their playoff hopes alive.
BIG 12
With #17 Iowa State’s undefeated season gone, their chances at making the playoffs haven’t diminished entirely, yet. #9 BYU looks to hold on to their huge lead over the BIG 12, and yet stands three potential opponents. #17 Iowa State and #19 Kansas State meet in rivalry week, so it seems that the winner of that matchup will look to take on #9 BYU if all things go smoothly. And if not, the dark buffaloes of #20 Colorado look to sneak their way in, with Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter being their huge playmaker, and star QB Shedeur Sanders leading the way.
ACC
Newly 4th ranked Miami still leads the conference after another, somehow, close game against the Duke Blue Devils. And with Clemson’s loss to Louisville, it now seems like a newcomer will be the one to challenge the Hurricanes for the ACC title. That would be the newcomer, the #13 ranked SMU Mustangs. With their impressive, and blowout, victory against Pitt, they now look to be the ones to take on the Hurricanes for the Division Title.
Group of Five
As for the G5 schools, the #25 ranked Army’s only major matchup comes up against #10 Notre Dame on 11/23, with the hopes of them winning, and possibly sneaking into the playoffs. But even if that’s the case, newly #12 ranked Boise State is leading the way for the first G5 representative of the playoffs for the first time in the 12-team playoffs. Even if Ashton Jeanty seems to start to, slightly, cool down a bit, this team will ride the way into the playoffs, with him leading the charge.
Playoff Matchups as of 11/5
#12 Boise State @ #5 Ohio State -> Winner Takes on #4 BYU
Ryan Day finally gets back on track as a successful head coach and earns a home playoff game to begin their journey to Atlanta. Only Issue? They face the RB who put up 192 yards and 3 TDs against Oregon…
#9 Indiana @ #8 Tennessee -> Winner Takes on #1 Oregon
The most surprising, successful team in the nation taking on the cardiac kid known as Nico (Istillhavenoideawhatyournameissupposedtobepronunced) Iamaleava and the Vols
#11 Alabama @ #5 Texas -> Winner Takes on #3 Miami
The “How The Heck Did You Get In” Crimson Tide vs The “We definitely don’t have a QB controversy” Longhorns
#10 Notre Dame @ #7 Penn State -> Winner Takes on #3 Georgia
They are the two most overrated teams, with one of them getting to win a playoff game, yet they’ll end up losing to Georgia anyway.
