Big 12’s One-Bid Prospect: Latest College Football Playoff Rankings
The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings continue to evolve as the season progresses, particularly for teams from the Big 12 Conference. Recent developments indicate that the league is facing the possibility of being a one-bid conference in the upcoming playoff.
Current Big 12 Landscape
This week, the selection committee placed Texas Tech at No. 7, BYU at No. 8, and Utah at No. 13. Notably, all three Big 12 teams are ranked above the leading team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), signaling the committee’s respect for the Big 12’s competitiveness.
Impact of Recent Games
A significant game occurred when Texas Tech defeated BYU decisively in Lubbock. The Red Raiders showcased an impressive performance, particularly through their robust defensive front. This dominating victory poses challenges for BYU’s playoff aspirations and may cause the committee to drop the Cougars from the bracket.
Despite the loss, BYU’s earlier victory against Utah provides them a cushion. With the expectation that Utah remains ranked comparably, it could help BYU maintain a spot just ahead of Utah in the rankings.
Shifting Projections
- Texas Longhorns have moved into the projected at-large spot.
- Current rankings suggest a tight race, with Oklahoma still trailing Texas due to their head-to-head result.
- Notre Dame continues to perform well, maintaining their position after a dominant victory against Navy.
Top Prospects for the Playoffs
The latest CFP projections include the following teams poised for first-round byes:
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State (Big Ten champion) |
| 2 | Indiana |
| 3 | Texas A&M (SEC champion) |
| 4 | Alabama |
Potential hosts for CFP on-campus first-round games include Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, and Oregon, among others.
Outlook for Group of 5 Teams
In the Group of 5 rankings, South Florida is emerging as a strong contender to be the highest-ranked champion. This comes on the heels of Memphis’s recent loss, which has affected their standing significantly.
Conclusion
The upcoming weeks will be critical for teams vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Big 12’s future remains uncertain as they navigate the implications of recent game results, particularly with BYU’s position at stake. With only a limited number of playoff spots available, the stakes couldn’t be higher for making a playoff impression.
