Just when you thought the College Football Playoff picture was starting to take shape, Week 11 arrived to shake things up once again. In a season already marked by chaos and unpredictability, two of the top four teams in the first official CFP rankings suffered crushing defeats on Saturday, throwing the playoff race wide open with just a few weeks left to play.
Hurricanes, Bulldogs Blown Away
The No. 4 Miami Hurricanes, riding high after a statement win over rival Florida State, finally ran out of comeback magic against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets gashed Miami for 271 rushing yards en route to a stunning 24-17 upset. It was a humbling loss for a Hurricanes squad that had climbed into playoff position despite a penchant for falling behind early in games.
Not to be outdone, the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs also went down, falling to Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels 27-20 in Oxford. It was Georgia’s first loss to an unranked opponent since 2020, a remarkable streak finally snapped. While not eliminated, the Bulldogs’ margin for error is now razor-thin.
Oregon Strengthens Grip on Top Spot
Amidst the carnage, the Oregon Ducks emerged unscathed and cemented their position as the odds-on playoff favorite. According to ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor, Oregon now has a commanding 92% chance to make the top four. The Ducks’ high-powered offense, led by superstar quarterback Dillon Gabriel, looks virtually unstoppable.
Undefeated BYU Knocking on the Door
Outside the Power Five, undefeated BYU continues to state its case as a legitimate playoff contender. The Cougars are built on a punishing ground attack and suffocating defense that ranks top five nationally in points allowed. Still, overcoming the CFP committee’s historical preference for brand-name programs will be a tall task.
Crowded Field Jockeys for Position
Behind the Ducks, there’s a deep field of one-loss teams still very much alive, led by Big Ten powers Ohio State, Indiana, and Penn State. In the SEC, resurgent Tennessee is a dark-horse threat that no one wants to face. And never count out Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, even if they haven’t quite looked like a juggernaut this season.
The truth is, with a month still to play, the playoff picture remains highly unsettled. More upsets are inevitable. But that’s the beauty of college football — the drama is unmatched and every week is a new adventure. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, because it’s only going to get wilder from here.
In my years covering this sport, I can’t remember a season with this much week-to-week volatility at the top. It’s complete mayhem, but in the best possible way for fans.
– Veteran ESPN college football reporter
Experts Weigh In With Latest Predictions
So where do things stand after the dust settled on Week 11? Here’s a roundup of playoff predictions from top college football journalists around the country:
- Common picks: Oregon, Texas, Ohio State, BYU
- In the mix: Indiana, Penn State, Tennessee, Miami
- Falling: Georgia, Ole Miss
- Long shots: Alabama, Boise State
Of course, these are just educated guesses. There are no certainties in the chase for college football’s ultimate prize. The only thing we do know is that the next twist is right around the corner.
How the Next Chapters Unfold
Week 12 brings another loaded slate of consequential matchups: Can Oregon handle a difficult test against rising Pac-12 contender Utah? Will Penn State get back on track at Michigan? Who emerges from the Big 12 gauntlet of Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas State? Every result will further shape this fascinating playoff puzzle.
For now, all eyes turn to the CFP committee’s next set of rankings on Tuesday. While the pecking order at the top seems clear, there will surely be fresh debates and controversies to monitor. Welcome to college football in November.
One thing’s for sure: the next few weeks are not for the faint of heart. Every game carries weighty implications. Heroes will rise, dreams will crumble. Through it all, the sport’s unmatched capacity for story and spectacle will be on full display. You won’t want to miss how this riveting race to the finish unfolds.
Outside the Power Five, undefeated BYU continues to state its case as a legitimate playoff contender. The Cougars are built on a punishing ground attack and suffocating defense that ranks top five nationally in points allowed. Still, overcoming the CFP committee’s historical preference for brand-name programs will be a tall task.
Crowded Field Jockeys for Position
Behind the Ducks, there’s a deep field of one-loss teams still very much alive, led by Big Ten powers Ohio State, Indiana, and Penn State. In the SEC, resurgent Tennessee is a dark-horse threat that no one wants to face. And never count out Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, even if they haven’t quite looked like a juggernaut this season.
The truth is, with a month still to play, the playoff picture remains highly unsettled. More upsets are inevitable. But that’s the beauty of college football — the drama is unmatched and every week is a new adventure. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, because it’s only going to get wilder from here.
In my years covering this sport, I can’t remember a season with this much week-to-week volatility at the top. It’s complete mayhem, but in the best possible way for fans.
– Veteran ESPN college football reporter
Experts Weigh In With Latest Predictions
So where do things stand after the dust settled on Week 11? Here’s a roundup of playoff predictions from top college football journalists around the country:
- Common picks: Oregon, Texas, Ohio State, BYU
- In the mix: Indiana, Penn State, Tennessee, Miami
- Falling: Georgia, Ole Miss
- Long shots: Alabama, Boise State
Of course, these are just educated guesses. There are no certainties in the chase for college football’s ultimate prize. The only thing we do know is that the next twist is right around the corner.
How the Next Chapters Unfold
Week 12 brings another loaded slate of consequential matchups: Can Oregon handle a difficult test against rising Pac-12 contender Utah? Will Penn State get back on track at Michigan? Who emerges from the Big 12 gauntlet of Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas State? Every result will further shape this fascinating playoff puzzle.
For now, all eyes turn to the CFP committee’s next set of rankings on Tuesday. While the pecking order at the top seems clear, there will surely be fresh debates and controversies to monitor. Welcome to college football in November.
One thing’s for sure: the next few weeks are not for the faint of heart. Every game carries weighty implications. Heroes will rise, dreams will crumble. Through it all, the sport’s unmatched capacity for story and spectacle will be on full display. You won’t want to miss how this riveting race to the finish unfolds.
