The College Football Playoff’s top six teams came out earlier this afternoon in the same order as my rankings that you’ll see below. Despite TCU and Ohio State not being conference champions, they’re still in the race for the national championship. Be sure to check out the bowl games tab, which will be updated throughout the day. Both semifinal games are spectacular, but who else finishes the season in my top 25 rankings? Let’s find out:
- Georgia (13-0) (PREV: 1)
SEC Champions. Undefeated. Scored 50 against LSU. Is there any reason that Georgia shouldn’t be the number 1 team in the country? They will face Ohio State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
- Michigan (13-0) (PREV: 2)
Michigan is 13-0 for the first time in program history, and they won their second-consecutive Big Ten title with the help of their dominant offensive line and running backs. Donovan Edwards is a heck of a replacement for Blake Corum. They will be in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl up against TCU.
- TCU (12-1) (PREV: 3)
TCU failed to keep their undefeated season alive as they lost on a field goal in overtime against Kansas State. Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs will be in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, facing Michigan.
- Ohio State (11-1) (PREV: 5)
USC had one job. Win the Pac-12 Championship, and you’re in. However, the Buckeyes got lucky and should be the final team in the four-team playoff despite not making the Big Ten Championship game. They will face defending national champion Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
- Alabama (10-2) (PREV: 6)
Much like Ohio State, the Crimson Tide won without having to play in the SEC Championship game. They’re by far the best two-loss team. Nick Saban was on FOX last night trying to convince everyone that Alabama should be in the College Football Playoff. Not so fast, my friend. They will face Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
- Tennessee (10-2) (PREV: 7)
Tennessee is in the Orange Bowl, facing Clemson in an all-orange game in Miami Gardens. Hendon Hooker is out for the season and the Vols sat on the couch this weekend. However, I think Tennessee moves to 6th in the country with strong wins, including one over Alabama.
- Utah (10-3) (PREV: 9)
Make that two consecutive Rose Bowl appearances for Kyle Whittingham and the Utes. Utah upset USC for back-to-back Pac-12 Championships. They have swept the Trojans this season, thanks to Cam Rising and the offense that took advantage of poor tackling by USC’s defense. The Pac-12 Champions will be in Pasadena against Penn State
- Kansas State (10-3) (PREV: 10)
Deuce Vaughn and the Wildcats pulled off the upset in overtime as they avenged their loss back in October against previously undefeated TCU. They will be in the Sugar Bowl, with their opponent being Alabama.
- Clemson (11-2) (PREV: 8)
Clemson blew out North Carolina to win the ACC Championship in Charlotte last night, finally figuring out that Cade Klubnik is a better quarterback than D.J. Uiagalelei. They will face Tennessee in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
- USC (11-2) (PREV: 4)
USC has a worse defense than I thought, the main reason they lost the Pac-12 Championship game against Utah. Because of the loss, they will face Tulane in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Caleb Williams is still my Heisman Trophy winner.
- Penn State (10-2) (PREV: 11)
Penn State had this week off, but will go to the “granddaddy of them all.” They will be in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl for a terrific matchup against Utah. It’s the Nittany Lions’ first Rose Bowl appearance since the classic against USC in 2016.
- Tulane (11-2) (PREV: 16)
Tulane won their first American Athletic Conference Championship, defeating UCF in a game where the Knights had life in the fourth quarter. They will be in Arlington, facing USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
- Washington (10-2) (PREV: 12)
Washington did not make the Pac-12 Championship game, but they have such a strong team with Indiana transfer quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Action Network’s Brett McMurphy projects the Huskies to be in San Antonio for the Valero Alamo Bowl.
- Florida State (9-3) (PREV: 14)
Florida State is the second-best team in the ACC, despite missing out on the ACC Championship game. The prediction is that the Seminoles don’t have to travel far, possibly going to the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando.
- Oregon State (9-3) (PREV: 15)
Oregon State had a surprisingly good season, with an upset over Oregon being the cherry on top. The Beavers are bowling, projected in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.
- Oregon (9-3) (PREV: 17)
Oregon sat on the couch this week, which most of the top 25 did. Bo Nix proved all of us wrong and turned a slow start around with, at one point, being considered for the Heisman Trophy. The Ducks are projected, per Action Network, to be in San Diego for the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.
- LSU (9-4) (PREV: 13)
LSU allowed 50 points in a blowout loss against Georgia in the SEC Championship game. It was impressive how Brian Kelly, the longtime Notre Dame head coach, performed in his first season in Baton Rouge. Beating Alabama at home and securing the SEC West is very impressive. Jayden Daniels and the Tigers are projected to be in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
- UCLA (9-3) (PREV: 18)
UCLA is a strong team in the Pac-12, led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Bruins are very offensive-sided, much like the rest of their conference. Brett McMurphy thinks they will be in El Paso for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
- Notre Dame (8-4) (PREV: 19)
Notre Dame is a solid team, but not as impressive as they could have been. It’s growing pains for Marcus Freeman, in his first year as head coach. The Fighting Irish are a top-20 team and will be bowling. The prediction is that they will be in Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
- South Carolina (8-4) (PREV: 20)
Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks ended the season with back-to-back top-10 wins over Tennessee and Clemson. Spencer Rattler down the stretch has led the team to an 8-4 record, their best since 2017. They are also potentially at TIAA Bank Field for the Gator Bowl.
- Texas (8-4) (PREV: 21)
Quinn Ewers and Bijan Robinson are some of the best at their respective positions, but they could not get to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship. The Longhorns can compete with anyone, projected to be at the Valero Alamo Bowl.
- Mississippi State (8-4) (PREV: 24)
The Bulldogs move two spots up despite not playing this week. They finished the season with a strong rivalry victory against Ole Miss. Will Rogers will lead Mississippi State to a bowl game, projected to be in Tampa for the ReliaQuest Bowl.
- NC State (8-4) (PREV: N/A)
The Wolfpack move into my final top 25 thanks to losses by North Carolina, UCF, and Purdue. With Devin Leary out, NC State has gutted out wins, most recently against North Carolina. Action Network sees them in Charlotte for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
- UTSA (11-2) (PREV: N/A)
The Conference USA Champions get in for the first time all year to my final top 25 rankings of the season. The Roadrunners don’t have a specific bowl game they lock themselves in with their win on Friday night, so they’re projected to be in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl in Orlando.
- Troy (11-2) (PREV: N/A)
Troy won the Sun Belt over Grayson McCall and Coastal Carolina, with their best finish before bowl season since 2017. They’re projected to be in the Cure Bowl as well, per Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
Calhoun's Corner 