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Get Ready for the Big Shakeup: College Football Playoff Rankings Predictions for Week 14!

2024-11-26

Author: Ming

As college football enthusiasts eagerly await the fourth College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings of 2024, set to be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 26, one thing is for certain: the landscape has dramatically shifted following a chaotic weekend where seven ranked teams faced defeat.

This year, the CFP features an exciting 12-team playoff format designed to foster a more competitive environment, allowing a greater number of teams to vie for the championship.

Here’s my prediction for the top 25 teams, based on head-to-head matchups, schedule strength, and the quality of wins against ranked opponents. Buckle up, because the rankings are bound to spark debate!

Predicted Top 25 Rankings (as of Sunday, Nov. 23)

1. **Oregon (11-0)** - After a well-deserved bye week, Oregon holds firm at the top spot.

2. **Ohio State (10-1)** - A solid victory over a top-five opponent has cemented Ohio State's position at No. 2.

3. **Texas (10-1)** - Texas continues to shine as the highest-ranked team from the SEC after overpowering Kentucky.

4. **Penn State (10-1)** - Despite a rocky performance, Penn State manages to keep its No. 4 ranking following a narrow win against Minnesota.

5. **Notre Dame (10-1)** - Following a commanding victory over a ranked Army, Notre Dame has a strong case to argue for the top four, but will likely settle for No. 5 due to previous comparisons of ranked losses.

6. **Miami (Fla.) (10-1)** - With a victory over Wake Forest, Miami climbs the rankings ahead of teams that suffered losses.

7. **Georgia (9-2)** - After defeating UMass, Georgia sees a boost in their ranking.

8. **Tennessee (9-2)** - A decisive shutout of UTEP puts Tennessee back in the playoff conversation.

9. **Indiana (10-1)** - Indiana drops to No. 9 after suffering their first loss but remains in the top 10 due to their overall record and quality wins.

10. **Boise State (10-1)** - A close win over Wyoming keeps Boise State behind Indiana despite having a stronger victory over a ranked UNLV team.

11. **SMU (10-1)** - Making its debut in the playoff picture, SMU benefits from the SEC's recent weak performances.

12. **Alabama (8-3)** - Alabama remains the highest-ranked three-loss team after falling in the rankings due to prior defeats but is not entirely out of playoff contention yet.

13. **Ole Miss (8-3)** - Ole Miss remains ranked thanks to a key win over South Carolina earlier this season.

14. **Clemson (9-2)** - Boosted by the misfortunes of others, Clemson climbs up the rankings despite previous blowout losses.

15. **South Carolina (8-3)** - Securing a win against Wofford keeps South Carolina relevant in the playoff race.

16. **Arizona State (9-2)** - After beating the No. 14 ranked team, Arizona State has potential to move up in the rankings, albeit lingering behind South Carolina.

17. **Tulane (9-2)** - Following a bye week, Tulane is expected to enter the teens of the rankings.

18. **Iowa State (9-2)** - A crucial victory against Utah allows Iowa State to maintain their position in the Big 12 race.

19. **Texas A&M (8-3)** - Texas A&M slips slightly but remains ahead of Missouri due to past performances.

20. **Missouri (8-3)** - Following a win over Mississippi State, Missouri is poised to break into the top 20.

21. **BYU (9-2)** - With back-to-back losses affecting their standing, BYU has dropped significantly in recent rankings.

22. **UNLV (9-2)** - UNLV benefits from a solid win to climb the rankings.

23. **Illinois (8-3)** - An unexpected win against Rutgers keeps Illinois in the conversation.

24. **Colorado (8-3)** - Despite a slight drop, Colorado remains relevant in the rankings.

25. **Syracuse (8-3)** - Syracuse returns to the rankings after solidifying its position as a competitive team in the ACC.

CFP Release Schedule
Brackets Predictions:

- **First Teams Out**: Alabama, Ole Miss, Clemson, South Carolina.

Notable CFP Questions:

- **What will happen to Indiana?** After their recent loss, debates abound on whether they will remain ahead of two-loss SEC teams.

- **Do three-loss teams still have a shot?** With Alabama and Ole Miss both holding significant wins, their final positions remain to be seen.

- **Is the Big 12 at risk of missing the playoffs?** With Arizona State potentially being the highest-ranked member, the Big 12 faces challenges despite keeping their competitive edge.

Stay tuned as we await the official announcements tonight! Will you agree with these predictions? Let the debates begin!