Each week teams will be fighting for position in an effort to make the College Football Playoff. The teams will be ranked each week, but what matters most is who they have played and defeated already on the field. Here is College Football Playoff Bracketology: December 1.
Note: This will be updated following each week of games during the season.
First Round Byes
1. Oregon Ducks (12-0)
Oregon defeated Washington in the last week of the season to complete the undefeated regular season. They are undoubtedly the number one team in the country heading into conference championship week.
This week: vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1) (Game in Indianapolis, Indiana)
2. Texas Longhorns (11-1)
Texas won a tough rivalry game on the road to clinch a spot in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. They are likely in the 12-team playoff now, even if they lose a second time to Georgia.
This week: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) (Game in Atlanta, Georgia)
3. SMU Mustangs (11-1)
SMU just joined the ACC this season and are now playing in the conference championship game. Their only loss is to BYU and they can solidify their spot in the CFP with a win over Clemson.
This week: vs. Clemson Tigers (9-3) (Game in Charlotte, North Carolina)
4. Boise State Broncos (11-1)
Boise State was given the four-seed by the committee last week and should stay there after beating Oregon State. They could get jumped after conference championship week, but they play a tough game themselves.
This week: vs. UNLV Rebels (10-2) (Game in Boise, Idaho)
First Round Hosts
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1)
Notre Dame took care of business against USC on the road to lock up a CFP spot. With the win, there is a chance the Fighting Irish can get the five seed over Penn State. That is impressive after losing to Northern Illinois earlier in the season.
This Week: N/A
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1)
Penn State started slow, but then turned things on against Maryland to get the win. The win locks up their spot in the CFP. With Ohio State’s loss, they will also have a chance to play in the Big Ten Championship against Oregon.
This week: vs. Oregon Ducks (11-1) (Game in Indianapolis, Indiana)
7. Georgia Bulldogs (10-2)
Georgia won a close game against Georgia Tech on Friday this week in a game that went to eight overtimes. Getting the win locks up a spot in the CFP for the Bulldogs. Now they get a chance to play Texas again in the SEC Championship for a chance to improve their seeding.
This week: vs. Texas Longhorns (11-1) (Game in Atlanta, Georgia)
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2)
Ohio State took a loss to a 7-5 Michigan team. That loss takes them out of the Big Ten Championship Game, but the Buckeyes should still be in the CFP.
This week: N/A
Last Four In
9. Tennessee Volunteers (10-2)
Tennessee bounced back after a rough start to Vanderbilt, giving them a 10-win season. While they won’t play in the SEC Championship Game next week, they are likely still going to be in the projected CFP bracket released by the committee this week.
This week: N/A
10. Indiana Hoosiers (11-1)
Indiana followed up their loss to Ohio State by blowing out their rival Purdue. The Hoosiers should still rank in the top 10 in next week’s rankings.
This week: N/A
11. Miami Hurricanes (10-2)
Miami takes the last at-large spot after losing to Syracuse. They have just two losses, while the other teams competing for this spot have three. The CFP Committee will have decisions to make here and putting Miami in this spot prevents them from having to choose between three-loss SEC teams.
This week: N/A
12. Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2)
Arizona State had no problems defeating Arizona to go 10-2. They clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game with the win. The Sun Devils have two losses, one of which was without their starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, so they should arguably be ranked higher than where the committee has them.
This week: vs. Iowa State Cyclones (10-2) (Game in Arlington, Texas)
First Four Out- At Large
Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3)
Alabama was right next to the CFP spots last week and will likely stay there this week or get the last at-large spot in the CFP after beating Auburn. Their head-to-head win over South Carolina gives them an edge over other SEC teams.
This week: N/A
Ole Miss Rebels (9-3)
Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State this week. Their win over South Carolina should keep them ranked above the Gamecocks, but the committee could have them get jumped due to South Carolina’s big win against Clemson.
This week: N/A
South Carolina Gamecocks (9-3)
The Gamecocks had a good comeback to beat Clemson. It is a good win for their case to make the CFP, but South Carolina has lost head-to-head matchups with both Alabama and Ole Miss, which could limit their ability to get in the CFP.
This week: N/A
Iowa State Cyclones (10-2)
Iowa State defeated Kansas State in the regular season finale. They have clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship, which they will have to win if they wish to make the CFP.
This week: vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2) (Game in Arlington, Texas)
First Four Out- Group of Five
UNLV Rebels (10-2)
UNLV defeated Nevada during rivalry week to punch their ticket to the MWC Championship Game. They get a rematch with Boise State. If they win, they will likely be the fifth conference champion in the field.
This week: at Boise State Broncos (11-1) (Game in Boise, Idaho)
Army Black Knights (11-1)
Army notched a win over UTSA in the last week of the season. They are in the AAC Championship Game. There isn’t a likely scenario that they jump the winner of the MWC Championship Game, but Army would be right behind those teams if they win.
This week: vs. Tulane Green Wave (9-3) (Game in West Point, New York)
Tulane Green Wave (9-3)
Tulane had a great chance to make the CFP entering week 14. If they won their last regular season game and conference championship game, all they needed was a Boise State loss to likely make it in. They lost to Memphis to dash those dreams.
This week: at Army Black Knights (11-1) (Game in West Point, New York)
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-2)
Louisiana defeated ULM to get to 10 wins on the season. They won’t make the CFP, but it has been an impressive season for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
This week: vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (9-3) (Game Location TBD Sunday)
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