Inauspicious week.
5 Michigan defeated 2 Ohio State 42-27 in The Game to win the first Big Ten East championship. The Wolverines are currently in the top spot of reaching the College Football Qualifiers for the first time if they can avoid a defeat to Iowa.
SEX: Michigan hell frozen in snow
3 Alabama regrouped with a last-minute drive behind Bryce Young to beat Auburn 24-22 in a four-round thriller. Now, the Crimson Tide faces the test of all tests with Georgia ranked highest.
Oklahoma and the State of Oklahoma lived up to every bit of the ‘Bedlam’ moniker before OSU prevailed and moved 11-1.
What does the rest of the school look like?
THAN: Loss of Ohio State will change the ranking
Sporting News continues to sort those teams based on how candidates are ranked. The next to last CFP standings will be Tuesday, followed by the final matchups on Sunday.
Each week, we’ll break down the playoff picture based on how we think the CFP committee should rank the top 10 teams. Future results are not forecast:
Four in a college football league match
1. Georgia (12-0)
Next week: with. Alabama (SEC Champion)
Bulldogs are here, for all intents and purposes. Georgia completed a regular undefeated season, beating rival Georgia Tech 45-0. Stetson Bennett went through 255 yards and 4 times TD, and the Bulldogs allowed 6.9 points per game in the game against Alabama. Even with the loss, Georgia still feels like the only team with one of the four spots guaranteed.
2. Michigan (11-1)
Next week: against Iowa (Big Ten champion)
It took longer than expected, but Jim Harbaugh was one step closer. Michigan finally broke its eight-game losing streak against Ohio State with a clear 42-27 win at the Big House. Hassan Haskins went 169 yards and five TDs in a throw-in, while Aidan Hutchinson had three covers. Michigan enters the Big Ten championship game for the first time, where Iowa will wait. The Wolverines will also have a spot, unless guaranteed if they don’t lose to Michigan State.
3. Alabama (11-1)
Next week: with. Georgia (SEC Champion)
Iron Bowl did not disappoint. Trey Sanders was stopped in the 4th and 1st rounds towards the end of the 4th round, which appeared to mark another disappointing loss at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Instead, Bryce Young capitalized on a final shot to lead a 97-yard run that forced overtime. The Crimson Tide then capitalized, to win 24-22 after four passes with John Metchie’s two-point converting catch. Alabama is still on a tightrope, but it won the game SEC championship and has a chance to claim another playoff berth with a win over undefeated Georgia. A two-loss Crimson Tide team will become the source of some compelling arguments if it fails in Atlanta.
MORE: Bigsby’s Mistake Opens Doors for Tide
THAN: Heat breaks out in tunnel at recess in Michigan-Ohio
4. Cincinnati (12-0)
Next week: with. Houston (AAC Champion)
The Bearcats were keen on business in their 35-13 win over East Carolina on Friday, capped off an undefeated season. This was followed by a game against Houston (11-1) in the American Athletic Conference championship game. Desmond Ridder made the 301-yard run and two TDs against the Pirates and has a compelling case for reaching the Heisman Trophy final. Cincinnati may still have to hold onto the Big 12 championship, but that win over Notre Dame is even more worth it.
TROCCHI: Will another uneven performance by Cincinnati be enough?
Two ra
5. Notre Dame Cathedral (January 11)
Next week: The regular part is done
Notre Dame is out of contention for the conference championship, but the Irishman completed an impressive season with a 45-14 win over Stanford. Jack Coan completed more than 70% of his passes for the fourth straight game, and the Irishman had an intriguing CFP situation knowing his only loss was to Cincinnati. Will it help or hurt the Irish? The age-old question remains, but the Alabama loss to Georgia will open the door.
6. Oklahoma (January 11)
Next week: versus Baylor (Big 12 championship)
Oklahoma State needed a last-minute stop to survive Bedlam, but the Cowboys won a dramatic 37-33 to knock rival Sooners out of the College Football Playoff race. Collin Oliver fired Caleb Williams on the final innings of the game, and Oklahoma State now drew Baylor for the Big 12 championship. The Cowboys won the regular game 24-14, and one win will get them five wins against ranked opponents. That should be enough to generate debate if any combination of Alabama, Michigan or Cincinnati loses. Is it enough to leapfrog Notre Dame?
Four to see
7. Baylor (10-2)
Next week: vs. Oklahoma State (Group of 12 Champions)
Who had Baylor in the Big 12 championship last season? Second-year coach Dave Aranda has worked wonders with the Bears, and they capped the regular 10-game season with a 27-24 win over Texas Tech. Gerry Bohanon (hamstring) didn’t play, but Blake Shapen filled him in with 254 passes and a pair of TDs. Abram Smith dashed forward another 117 yards. The Bears wouldn’t have cracked the CFP without massive turmoil, and even with it, they’re still a lasting mark.
8. Oregon (10-2)
Next week: vs Oregon (pac-12 champion)
We return to this point again. The Ducks got back on track with a 33-24 win over Oregon State and now have their third consecutive Pac-12 championship hit. Oregon has two losses, but they have a chance to correct their mistake against Utah in the Pac-12 championship game. The Ducks beat the Buckeyes on September 11, and a win over the Utes has the potential to put Oregon in a rematch situation in the Rose Bowl.
9. Ohio State (10-2)
Next week: The regular part is done
For the first time in 5 years, the Buckeyes will not represent the Big Ten East in the Big Ten championship game. The 42-27 loss to Michigan led to some serious questions about the defence. CJ Stroud overcame 394 yards and lost two TDs in a loss that closely resembled the September 11 loss to Oregon. The Buckeyes may be the most talented team in the New Year Day Six, but third-year coach Ryan Day will have an exciting season following his first loss to the Wolverines.
10. Iowa (10-2)
Next week: with. Michigan (Big Ten championship game)
Ole Miss is likely to be ranked higher, but the Hawkeyes have a category championship and a chance to play for the Big Ten championship for the first time since 2015. Iowa has won four straight games since the consecutive loss. went on to beat Purdue and Wisconsin, and they closed the regular season with a 28-21 win over Nebraska. Michigan beat Iowa 10-3 in the teams’ last meeting in 2019.
