Shaking Up the College Football Playoff Landscape: Unexpected Contenders Emerge

As the college football season enters its final week of September, the constant narrative around the postseason picture is one of change. This week's College Football Playoff projections have seen two unlikely newcomers added to the field, as the first full week of conference play has started to sort out pretenders and contenders.

Upsets and Surprises Shake Up the Playoff Picture

The Dukes' Dominance: James Madison's Impressive Win at North Carolina

One of the weekend's surprise results was a non-conference game that saw James Madison post an astounding 70 points in an impressive win at North Carolina. The Dukes, who were one of the top teams in the Sun Belt last season, winning their first 10 games, have once again emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Coupled with a loss by previous Group of Five representative Memphis, the Dukes now find themselves in pole position for the fifth berth to a league champion, as coach Bob Chesney embarks on his first year at the school.

Iowa State's Rise: Cyclones Benefit from Wildcats' Shocking Loss

Also joining the College Football Playoff field is Iowa State. The Cyclones have won their first three games, including a road win at Iowa, and have benefited from Kansas State's shocking road loss at Brigham Young, which has knocked the Wildcats out of the picture. Iowa State's schedule looks manageable, with its only two games against teams in the Top 25 coming in November, making them a dark horse contender for a spot in the coveted playoff.

Pac-12 Schools in Other Conferences: Fulfilling Existing Bowl Agreements

It's worth noting that legacy Pac-12 schools in other conferences will continue to fulfill existing Pac-12 bowl agreements through the 2025 season. This means that even as the landscape of college football continues to evolve, these schools will maintain their traditional postseason ties, ensuring a continued presence in the broader college football ecosystem.

The Shifting Playoff Landscape: Unexpected Contenders Emerge

The college football season has already delivered its fair share of surprises, with James Madison and Iowa State emerging as unlikely contenders for the College Football Playoff. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how these teams and others navigate the challenges ahead, and whether they can maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the coveted playoff. With the constant flux in the postseason picture, one thing is certain: the college football landscape is in a state of flux, and the race for the national championship has never been more unpredictable.