If the latest college football rankings hold up. This year’s semifinals will look even more different than expected.
When the committee announced it would move from a four-team to a 12-team playoff format, it looked like Alabama would be a lock every year.
But in the first year of a playoff series with dozens of teams, the Crimson Tide was on the outside looking in.
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Head coach Kalen DeBoer of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after playing against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium September 23, 2024 in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 24-3. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Here’s an overview of bracket projection. This includes 5 auto bids and 7 mega picks (warning: team placement does not always equal ranking).
automatic bidding
1. Oregon – Big Ten Champion (11-0, 8-0)
2. Texas — SEC Champion (10-1, 4-1); Third place
3. Miami – ACC Champion (10-1, 5-1); sixth place
4. Boise State — Mountain West representative (10-1, 7-0); 11th place
12. Arizona State — Big 12 champion (9-2, 6-2); 16th place
Shamari Simmons, Arizona State defensive back Celebrate with football fans After defeating BYU 28-23 on Saturday, Nov. 1, September 23, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The bid is large.
5. Ohio State (10-1, 7-1); Second place
6. Penn State (10-1, 7-1); Fourth place
7. Notre Dame (10-1); Fifth place
8. Georgia (9-2, 6-2); seventh place
9. Tennessee (9-2, 5-2); eighth place
10. SMU (10-1, 7-0); Ninth-seeded SMU leads the ACC, but the committee predicts Miami will win the conference title.
11. Indiana (10-1, 7-1); 10th place
This means that the first two teams to come out are Clemson (No. 12) and Alabama.
Students and fans Oklahoma State rushes onto the field after Oklahoma beat Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 1, Sept. 23, 2024 in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Alabama and Ole Miss was in the estimate last week. But after losing to Oklahoma and Florida, respectively, they are now 13th and 14th, respectively.
Indiana is hanging on to the projected spot despite being blown away by Ohio State on Saturday. The Hoosiers Dropped from number 1 5 to number 10 in the country.
Colorado has control of its own College Football Playoff fate, however, after losing to Kansas over the weekend. I really need help.
If “Bama” misses the playoffs This will be the first time since 2022 when the Tide finished the season 1-5. They have made the semifinals 8 out of 10 times. They finished 13th in the nation when they missed out in 2019.
Defensive end R Mason Thomas (32) of the Oklahoma Sooners shakes his hand against quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) of the Alabama Crimson Tide as he attempts a throw in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium November 23, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 24-3. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
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Clemson faces No. 1 15 South Carolina. But with all the teams on the table there are good matches. A Tiger win alone may not be enough.
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