We have reached Selection Sunday. No, not the March Madness one, it’s December! It’s time to figure out who will face off in every single bowl game. We already know where some are, so where is everyone else? Also, how do the conference championships affect my final top 25? Here’s a look:
- Alabama (12-1) (PREV: 2)
Alabama destroyed Georgia in the SEC Championship, proving that they are the best overall team. However, that came at a cost. John Metchie III is out for the College Football Playoff with a torn ACL. Bryce Young had a Heisman-like game, but he must find a new WR1 in the College Football Playoff. They’re most likely to face Cincinnati.
- Michigan (12-1) (PREV: 3)
Michigan fans will be playing “Mr. Brightside” and “Pump It Up” all night long as they win their first Big Ten Championship since 2004. They blew out a good defensive Iowa team, but they also had a terrific defensive night. The Wolverines are ready, as they head to their first-ever College Football Playoff. They’re likely to face Georgia in the semifinal round.
- Georgia (12-1) (PREV: 1)
Georgia has George Pickens back, but that wasn’t enough to beat the Crimson Tide. They have the nation’s best defense, but their offense could not keep up with Alabama’s. Georgia could be #2 due to their dominating defense all year, but I put Georgia #3 due to their lack of signature wins. If we have Michigan-Georgia, it will be a possible game of the year.
- Cincinnati (13-0) (PREV: 4)
Cincinnati routed Houston to win the American Athletic Conference Championship, locking them into the College Football Playoff. They’re likely to be the #4 seed, so this is their chance to prove they belong with the top teams in the country.
- Notre Dame (11-1) (PREV: 6)
Notre Dame moves up as the first team out due to Oklahoma State’s loss against Baylor. They were idle this week, but they were an awesome team to watch all season. They even have a better strength of schedule than Georgia! I can’t wait to see them in a New Year’s Six bowl.
- Baylor (11-2) (PREV: 8)
Baylor held on at the last minute to win the Big 12 Championship over Oklahoma State, but being the #6 team didn’t mean they had a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma State still had a better chance. I’m excited to see the Bears in the Sugar Bowl.
- Oklahoma State (10-2) (PREV: 5)
Spencer Sanders did not live up to the expectations as the Cowboys failed to complete their comeback against Baylor in the Big 12 Championship. Had Cincinnati, Alabama, or Michigan lost along with an Oklahoma State win, the Cowboys would be in the College Football Playoff. However, they are out of the Sugar Bowl spot, and now will see if they’re in a New Year’s Six bowl.
- Ohio State (10-2) (PREV: 7)
C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes did not make the Big Ten Championship Game after Michigan beat them at home during Week 13. Ohio State still has the top offense in the country, but they could not stop Michigan. They should have the Big Ten spot in the Rose Bowl Game against Utah.
9. Ole Miss (10-2) (PREV: 9)
Ole Miss did not make the SEC Championship Game, but they sure are going to be in the Sugar Bowl. They’re the best team in the SEC that isn’t making the College Football Playoff. Are we going to see Matt Corral in New York for the Heisman Trophy Presentation? He certainly could be in the top four.
10. Utah (10-3) (PREV: 15)
Did anyone think the blowout win for Utah over Oregon in Salt Lake City was a fluke? I did. I was wrong. Utah is headed to the Rose Bowl against Ohio State after a huge blowout win over the Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship. Kyle Wittingham stock is going up after their big win Friday night.
11. Pittsburgh (11-2) (PREV: 18)
Kenny Pickett with that fake slide run for the touchdown is questionable, but it also was the cherry on top for a big win over Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game. They will have a spot in one of the NY6 bowls, likely the Peach Bowl. Pitt is also likely to see their quarterback going to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist
12. Oregon (10-3) (PREV: 10)
Oregon got blown out in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah, but everyone should still watch out for Kayvon Thibodeaux in Oregon’s bowl game, whatever that may be. Thibodeaux is a contender as the top draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He should bring explosiveness going into the bowl game.
13. Oklahoma (10-2) (PREV: 11)
Oklahoma was idle this week after losing to Oklahoma State in Bedlam to not reach the Big 12 Championship Game. That’s why they are behind a 10-3 Oregon team. Spencer Rattler transferred, Lincoln Riley left, multiple recruits de-committed, but hey, they hired Brett Venables! Oklahoma will have Bob Stoops as interim head coach in their bowl game later this month. Obviously, Caleb Williams will be the only quarterback seeing the field that night for the Sooners.
14. Michigan State (10-2) (PREV: 12)
Just like Oklahoma, Michigan State was idle this week after being eliminated from the Big Ten Championship Game by Ohio State. I’m not sure Kenneth Walker III will receive an invitation to New York, but he certainly could be based on his spectacular season as the nation’s top running back. Michigan State probably won’t be in a New Year’s Six bowl game, but they will be in a good one no matter what.
15. BYU (10-2) (PREV: 13)
BYU was idle this week because there was no championship game for them to play in. The Cougars are one of the best FBS Independents, and they are looking at a possible spot in the Independents Bowl this postseason.
16. Iowa (10-3) (PREV: 14)
Iowa was at least in a conference championship, which is why they only moved down one spot. They did, however, get blown out by Michigan in that conference championship. Iowa’s defense was part of the problem in that game, but it was their lack of scoring ability that killed any mojo for the Hawkeyes. However, don’t count them out yet, they still have a big bowl game coming up.
17. Houston (11-2) (PREV: 16)
Surprisingly enough, Houston stays where they are because Utah moved up, and everyone behind the Cougars either lost or did not make their conference championship game. The Cougars weren’t blown out by any means. A 15-point loss in Cincinnati doesn’t mean Houston is not good. They should still be in a top bowl game. Maybe they come to Boston to play in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl! Who knows?
18. Wake Forest (10-3) (PREV: 17)
There’s something about Sam Hartman and big games that don’t really mix well. Hartman threw four picks and looked terrible all night. He’s not fully to blame for the Demon Deacons’ blowout loss. Don’t forget about Wake Forest having one of the worst defenses in Power Five. They should be in the Gator Bowl after missing out on a New Year’s Six bowl.
19. Utah State (10-3) (PREV: N/A)
Welcome to the top 25, Utah State! The Aggies earned their spot in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Saturday afternoon as they went on the road and blew out San Diego State. Logan Bonner passed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns, a phenomenal game from him. The Utah State Aggies are your 2021 Mountain West Champions.
20. Louisiana (12-1) (PREV: 21)
Louisiana proved that they were the top team in the Sun Belt after defeating Appalachian State 24-16. They moved up two spots because of their big win, clinching the top Sun Belt-tied bowl.
21. San Diego State (11-2) (PREV: 19)
San Diego State stayed where they are, even though the Aztecs got blown out at “home” by Utah State in the Mountain West Championship Game. It was a great season for them anyways, but they need to finish the season off right in their bowl game.
22. NC State (9-3) (PREV: 20)
NC State did not make the ACC Championship Game, but find themselves in my final top 25 rankings going into bowl season. The Wolfpack should get themselves into one of the top non-NY6 bowl games, where there’s an ACC spot with their name on it.
23. Clemson (9-3) (PREV: 21)
Clemson’s defense is one of the best in the country, which will be key going into whatever bowl game they land themselves in. Of course, it’s a disappointing season for the Tigers overall after the high expectations going into this season. Hopefully, they find an offensive rhythm that takes them into next season. Also, they took a big blow after Brett Venables, one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, took the head coaching job at Oklahoma.
24. Texas A&M (8-4) (PREV: 22)
Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies become the only team to beat Alabama through championship weekend. That will turn some heads when they play their bowl game later this month. They were idle this week, which is why there isn’t a lot of movement with them.
25. Arkansas (8-4) (PREV: 22)
Arkansas was idle this week, so there won’t be a lot of movement in the rest of the top 25. I’m excited to see how KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks’ offense performs in their bowl game.
Calhoun's Corner 