The Fourth College Football Playoff Rankings: A Week 13 Update

Nov 25, 2024 at 9:42 PM
College football fans are on the edge of their seats as the fourth College Football Playoff rankings are set to be revealed on Tuesday evening. After a weekend filled with upsets, the teams selected are bound to see some changes. In 2024, a 12-team format will replace the traditional four-team model, but many of the points of contention remain. Let's take a look at how the teams stack up using the BCS formula.

Uncovering the College Football Playoff Rankings After Week 13

Oregon Ducks: Securing a Spot in the Big Ten Title Game

The Oregon Ducks have had an eventful season. After eight straight conference games, they took a well-deserved bye week to rest and recharge. Now, they are eagerly awaiting their opponent in the Big Ten title game. Their first task is to take revenge on Washington after two defeats last season. This rivalry game is sure to be a heated one.The Ducks have already secured a spot in the Big Ten title game, showing their dominance in the conference. They are now focused on preparing for this important matchup and bringing home the championship.

SEC Chaos: Texas and the Road Ahead

In Week 13, SEC chaos ensued behind Texas. The Longhorns took care of business against Kentucky and remain the conference's automatic qualifier for now. Their next challenge is an in-state rivalry renewal against Texas A&M. A win in this game will send them to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game, marking their first season in the conference.The Texas Longhorns are facing some tough competition within the SEC. They will need to bring their A-game to every game to secure their place in the playoffs.

Miami Hurricanes: The ACC's Three-Seed with a Bye

Miami finds itself ranked No. 7 in the latest BCS rankings. As the ACC's highest-ranked team, they are currently classified as the three-seed with a bye. Mario Cristobal's team will travel to Syracuse on Saturday. A win in this game will secure their place in the ACC Championship game.The Miami Hurricanes have been performing well and are looking to make a strong showing in the playoffs. Their bye week has given them time to rest and prepare for the upcoming games.

Boise State Broncos: A Group of Five Program's Cinderella Run

A Group of Five program receiving a top-four seed and bye in the CFP was not expected at the beginning of the year. However, Boise State continues to stack wins. Their latest win was a close call against Wyoming. Running back Ashton Jeanty is a key player for the Broncos and is likely to be in New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.If all goes to plan, Boise State will be leading the way into the 12-team field and playing like a true Cinderella story.

Ohio State Buckeyes: The Five-Seed Contender

Due to Oregon's ranking, Ohio State has been the five-seed for several weeks. The Big Ten championship game will likely determine who gets this position. A home game in Columbus is not a bad trade-off for the Buckeyes.Ohio State has been a force to be reckoned with this season. They will be looking to secure their place in the playoffs and make a deep run.

Arizona State Sun Devils: Rising in the Big 12

Traveling up there is currently the Big 12's highest-ranked team, Arizona State. Kenny Dillingham got a huge win for the program against BYU on Saturday, and people in Tempe are believing.The Arizona State Sun Devils are on a roll and are looking to make a name for themselves in the Big 12. Their win against BYU was a major boost to their confidence.

Penn State Nittany Lions and Indiana Hoosiers: Potential Playoff Contenders

Of the four projected first-round matchups, this is the only one with two teams from the same conference. Luckily, Penn State and Indiana have not played each other this year due to the Big Ten's expansion. Both teams currently only have one loss, coming at the hands of Ohio State. Winning regular season finales might be good enough to get them in the 12-team field on Selection Sunday and maybe face off.These two teams are hungry for a playoff spot and will be fighting hard to make it happen. Their matchups against rival teams will be crucial in determining their fate.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Volunteers: Tying for a Potential CFP Spot

South Bend would play host to these two historic teams, making for the eighth matchup between them. This one would be a tough tiebreaker as Tennessee and Notre Dame currently have four wins against one another. All that stands in their way of potentially making the CFP are rivalry games against Vanderbilt and USC. Head coaches Marcus Freeman and Josh Heupel will have their players ready to roll.The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Volunteers are both looking to make a statement in the final stretch of the season and secure a playoff spot.

Georgia Bulldogs and SMU Mustangs: Conference Championship Hopes

The BCS currently projects just one SEC team to host a playoff game. Georgia would get the honors, welcoming SMU to Athens in what would be the Mustangs' first-ever CFP appearance. Winning conference championships and earning a bye is still alive for both Georgia and SMU. Tickets to Atlanta and Charlotte, respectively, have been booked ahead of their final regular season showdowns.Georgia and SMU are both focused on winning their conference championships and making a deep run in the playoffs.

Other Ranked Programs: Shaping the BCS Top 25

Outside of the College Football Playoff teams, there are still multiple programs ranked inside the BCS top 25 with a realistic shot of getting into the field. Although the list is shrinking, these teams are still fighting hard to make a name for themselves.Each of these programs has its own story to tell and is looking to make a mark on the college football landscape.