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College Football Playoff Top 12
1.Ohio State 9-0 (6-0) Big Ten This week: UCLA (3-6) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
2.Indiana 10-0 (7-0) Big Ten This week: Wisconsin (3-6) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, BTN)
3.Texas A&M 9-0 (6-0) SEC This week: South Carolina (3-6) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, )
4.Alabama 8-1 (6-0) SEC This week: 11.Oklahoma (7-2) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
5.Georgia 8-1 (6-1) SEC This week: 10.Texas (7-2) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
6.Texas Tech 9-1 (6-1) Big 12 This week: UCF (4-5) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
7.Ole Miss 9-1 (5-1) SEC This week: Florida (3-6) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
8.Oregon 8-1 (5-1) Big Ten This week: Minnesota (6-3) (Friday, 9 PM ET, FOX)
9.Notre Dame 7-2 Independents This week: @ Pittsburgh (7-2) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ACCN)
10.Texas 7-2 (4-1) SEC This week: @ 5.Georgia (8-1) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
11.Oklahoma 7-2 (3-2) SEC This week: @ 4.Alabama (8-1) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
12.BYU 8-1 (5-1) Big 12 This week: TCU (6-3) (Saturday, 10:15 PM ET, ESPN)
Projected College Football Playoff Bracket (How the College Football Playoff bracket is seeded)
First Round
Athens
5.Georgia
12.South Florida
Eugene
8.Oregon
9.Notre Dame
Lubbock
6.Texas Tech
11.Miami
Oxford
7.Ole Miss
10.Texas
Quarterfinals
Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
4.Alabama
5.Georgia/12.South Florida
Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Ohio State
8.Oregon/9.Notre Dame
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
3.Texas A&M
6.Texas Tech/11.Miami
Cotton Bowl (Arlington)
2.Indiana
7.Ole Miss/10.Texas
Biggest risers and fallers in the CFP Top 25 this week:
Risers
15.Miami 7-2 (3-2) ACC Week 11: #18 (Defeated Syracuse 38-10)
18.Michigan 7-2 (5-1) Big Ten Week 11: #21 (Off)
Fallers
12.BYU 8-1 (5-1) Big 12 Week 11: #7 (Lost to 8.Texas Tech 29-7)
19.Virginia 8-2 (5-1) ACC Week 11: #14 (Lost to Wake Forest 16-9)
20.Louisville 7-2 (4-2) ACC Week 11: #15 (Lost to California 29-26)
Dropped Out
Missouri 6-3 (2-3) SEC Week 11: #22 (Lost to 3.Texas A&M 38-17)
Washington 6-3 (3-3) Big Ten Week 11: #23 (Lost to Wisconsin 13-10)
New
24.South Florida 7-2 (4-1) American Week 11: NR (Defeated UTSA 55-23)
25.Cincinnati 7-2 (5-1) Big 12 Week 11: NR (Off)
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Saturday, November 15
24.South Florida (7-2) @ Navy (7-2)
12 PM ET, ESPN2
South Florida’s trip to Annapolis this weekend is important as they attempt to make and win the American Conference Championship game and appear in the College Football Playoff after the committee ranked them No. 24 in their rankings and the fifth conference champion in their projected bracket this week. The Bulls have just one loss in conference play so if they win on Saturday, in Birmingham against UAB, and back home in Tampa against Rice to close out the season, they will be in a perfect position to do so.
Despite back to back losses, Navy is in a similar position at the top of the American with five wins and just a single loss to North Texas. After losing the Mean Green two weeks ago, they went to South Bend and were defeated by Notre Dame. Getting back on track will be important against South Florida on Saturday.
South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown leads the team in both passing (2,203) and rushing (705) yards. He also has thrown 19 touchdowns and rushed for nine more. Four wide receivers have show out especially for the Bulls so far this season: Keshaun Singleton (573 yards and 5 TDs), Chas Nimrod (466 yards and 3 TDs), Jeremiah Koger (355 yards and 5 TDs), and Christian Neptune (228 yards and 1 TD). Navy safety Giuseppe Sessi and cornerback Phillip Hamilton will be in charge of keeping Brown and his receiving core in check.
The tailback duo of Nykahi Davenport (397 yards and 5 TDs) and Sam Franklin (374 yards and 4 TDs) have been huge this season for the Bull offense. Linebackers MarcAnthony Parker’s and Luke Pirris’ combined 130 tackles will be crucial in stopping Davenport and Franklin from creating big plays constantly in the run game.
South Florida linebackers Mac Harris (75 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 interception) and Jhalyn Shuler (69 tackles, 7 passes defended, 1.5 sacks, and 1 interception) are important in shutting down the Navy option offense. After missing the Notre Dame loss due to an upper body injury, it is unclear whether Navy quarterback Blake Horvath will play versus South Florida. Running back Alex Tecza (6 rushing TDs) and wide receiver Brandon Chatman (2 rushing TDs) will be important in helping backup quarterback Braxton Woodson in what would be his second consecutive start in the option game.
Receiver Eli Heidenreich (595 yards and 4 TDs) and tight end Cody Howard (128 yards and 1 TD) will be vital for the Midshipmen passing game. Safety Tavin Ward and cornerback Jarvis Lee have combined for three interceptions and three passes defended this season. They will be in charge of defending against the Midshipmen receivers on Saturday afternoon.
If Horvath is healthy and starts on Saturday afternoon, Navy’s high-scoring offense could return against South Florida. But I believe Jon Sumrall’s Bulls will be too good for the Midshipmen and they will move to 8-2 on the season.
Projected Score: South Florida 28, Navy 20
9.Notre Dame (7-2) @ 22.Pittsburgh (7-2)
12 PM ET, ABC
ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Pittsburgh for a College Football Playoff elimination game between Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. The Fighting Irish dominated Navy last Saturday 49-10 while the Panthers have won five consecutive games and are off a bye week. A loss for either team would keep them out of the College Football Playoff. So, it will be important for both Notre Dame and Pitt to show up with energy on Saturday afternoon.
Notre Dame’s offense has scored 28 or more points seven times in their nine games. They will look to do the same against Pittsburgh with their strong offense led by quarterback CJ Carr. Carr has thrown for 2,275 yards and 19 touchdowns. Wide receivers Jordan Faison, Malachi Fields, Will Pauling, and tight end Eli Raridon have helped Carr out with 11 combined scores. It will be up to Pitt defensive backs Kavir Bains-Marquez (39 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Cruce Brookins (2 passes defended and 1 interception) to stop the Fighting Irish passing game.
The running backs standing by Carr are two of the nation’s best. Jeremiyah Love (988 yards and 13 TDs) and Jadarian Price (568 yards and 9 TDs) have helped their quarterback set up the pass quite well this season. Linebackers Braylan Lovelace (55 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) and Rasheem Biles (52 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) to defend against the two impressive backs.
Pitt’s group of three running backs includes Ja’Kyrian Turner, Desmond Reid, and Juelz Goff. The group has combined for over 800 yards and 12 scores this season. Notre Dame linebackers Drayk Bower (55 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 passes defended) and Kynston Viliamu-Asa (44 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) will be crucial in stopping Pitt’s ground game on Saturday afternoon.
Safeties Adon Shuler’s and Tae Johnson’s seven combined passes defended and five combined interceptions will be important in stopping quarterback Mason Heitschel (1,547 yards, 12 TDs, and 5 INTs) and his receivers Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams Jr., Cataurus Hicks, and Desmond Reid. The group has combined for over 1,705 yards and 16 TDs and will pose a great threat to Shuler, Johnson, and the rest of Notre Dame’s secondary.
A loss for either Notre Dame or Pittsburgh means likely not making the College Football Playoff baring a bunch of chaos. The Fighting Irish will go on the road and turn in another terrific offensive performance which will help them beat the Panthers. If Notre Dame does win on Saturday, victories over Syracuse and Stanford would be the only two things separating themselves from another College Football Playoff berth.
Projected Score: Notre Dame 35, Pittsburgh 24
21.Iowa (6-3) @ 17.USC (7-2)
3:30 PM ET, BTN
Iowa came close to defeating No. 9 Oregon on the road, losing on a game-winning field goal 18-16. The Hawkeyes (4-2) are two games back from first place in the Big Ten so it will be hard for the Hawkeyes to accomplish winning a conference title or a College Football playoff appearance, they can ruin USC’s chances by going to the Coliseum and winning on Saturday afternoon. Unlike the Hawkeyes, the Trojans (5-1) are just a game back of Indiana (7-0) in first place. If Iowa’s defense can make things difficult for USC’s high scoring offense, they will have a shot to win outright this weekend.
In Iowa’s close loss to Oregon, they kept quarterback Dante Moore from throwing a single touchdown and caught an interception. Their leading tackler Karson Sharar got 10 tackles and one tackle for loss. Behind Sharar, defensive back Koen Stringer got 9 tackles. It will be up to them to lead their defense against another high powered offense in USC. Trojan quarterback Jayden Maiva (2,614 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs) has to have his head on a swivel and avoid getting dropped in the backfield against Iowa’s tremendous defense.
Maiava must get the ball to his playmakers including running backs King Miller (636 yards and 5 TDs), Waymond Jordan (576 yards and 5 TDs), receivers Makai Lemon (937 yards and 7 TDs), and Ja’Kobe Lane (520 yards and 4 TDs).
On the other side, Iowa signal-caller Mark Gronowski did get a pass into the end zone to tight end DJ Vonnahme, who caught just two passes for 43 yards last Saturday. USC safeties Bishop Fitzgerald (5 interceptions and 3 passes defended) and Christian Pierce (37 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) will lead their secondary against the Hawkeyes’ passing game.
So, the Iowa offense will have to rely on their defense continuing their dominant season and hoping their running game can continue to have success. Running back Kamari Moulton (87 yards) and quarterback Gronowski (25 yards and 1 TD) will have to find gaps against USC’s defense if they want to keep up on the scoreboard. Linebackers Eric Gentry (61 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 pass defended) and Desman Stephens II (53 tackles) will be instrumental on stopping the engine of Iowa’s offense and giving their unit more opportunities to score.
The battle between USC’s offense and Iowa’s defense will determine this game. If the Hawkeyes can stop the Trojans like they did Oregon’s offense, I will be impressed. USC will score more than Oregon last week and defeat Iowa in a game that will be close for three quarters.
Projected Score: USC 28, Iowa 17
11.Oklahoma (7-2) @ 4.Alabama (8-1)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
The first of two important SEC battles on this mid-November Saturday will be important for determining the fate of postseason football for the SEC. Off of a bye week, Oklahoma will have to hope its pedestrian offense can keep pace with Alabama on the road as they attempt to defeat them for the second consecutive season. The Crimson Tide will attempt to avenge their 2024 defeat to the Sooners where they scored just 3 points. Alabama’s offense looked sloppy in their 20-9 win over a rejuvenated LSU team under an interim coach but more will be required to beat Oklahoma, led by one of the nation’s top defenses.
The Sooners’ offense needs their best performance of the season if they want to be victorious against Alabama. That will require John Mateer (1,949 yards, 8 TDs, and 7 INTs) to be more efficient in the passing game. Against Alabama’s secondary, led by Mateer must get the ball to receivers Isaiah Sategna (692 yards and 5 TDs) and Deion Burks (435 yards and 2 TDs) to score touchdowns. Mateer will have to get his passes by Alabama secondary members Bray Hubbard (44 tackles, 7 passes defended, and 3 interceptions), and Keon Sabb (29 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended).
Their run game has improved over the last few weeks with a combination of Tory Blaylock (401 yards and 4 TDs) and Xavier Robinson (332 yards and 4 TDs) picking up the production. Linebackers Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson 101 combined tackles will be important in preventing the Oklahoma run game from setting up passing opportunities for Mateer.
Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis (53 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended) will be important pieces in stopping Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson (2,461 yards and 21 TDs) on Saturday afternoon. Thomas remains questionable for the game due to an injury so the Crimson Tide running game, led by Jam Miller who has rushed for 321 yards and two scores.
Defensive backs Kip Lewis (53 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Peyton Bowen (28 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception) will have a tough job of dealing with one of the better receiving cores in the country. That group includes Germie Bernard (605 yards and 6 TDs) and Ryan Williams (528 yards and 4 TDs).
In what should be a lower scoring game, Alabama will defeat Oklahoma and end their College Football Playoff chances. Simpson will make clutch fourth quarter plays and give the Crimson Tide a close win over the Sooners. Alabama avenges their 2024 loss to Oklahoma and marches a step forward to another potential SEC Championship game berth.
Projected Score: Alabama 24, Oklahoma 20
10.Texas (7-2) @ 5.Georgia (8-1)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
Texas looks to defeat Georgia for the first time in their third attempt on Saturday night. The Longhorns failed to beat Georgia last October and in the SEC Championship in 2024. Now they will attempt to beat the Bulldogs playing their best football after dominating Mississippi State 41-21 last weekend. If Texas, on a four game winning streak, can keep its offensive play improving against Georgia’s talented defense, they have a great shot of coming out victorious and continuing their pursuit of a third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance.
The Longhorns must hope their offense gives them the production they have gotten the last couple of Saturdays in this game. They scored 45 points against Mississippi State three weeks ago and 34 against Vanderbilt two weeks ago in victories. In those games, quarterback Arch Manning has thrown for 674 yards, 6 touchdowns, and just one interception. So, Georgia’s secondary including must be good against Manning as he attempts to get the ball to Ryan Wingo (593 yards and 5 TDs) and DeAndre Moore Jr. (379 yards and 1 TD) down the field. Georgia defensive backs KJ Bolden (47 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Joenel Aguero (32 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) will hope to neutralize Manning’s passing attack for the first time in almost a month.
Tailback Quintrevion Wisner’s 338 yards and three touchdowns has created more opportunities for Manning in the passing game. Leading tacklers CJ Allen (75 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 passes defended) and Raylen Wilson (54 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended) at linebacker will be important in stopping Wisner from having a big night.
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (64 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) is one of the top linebackers in the country. He will have the job of limiting the Georgia ground game, headed by Nate Frazier (575 yards and 3 TDs) and Chauncey Bowens (474 yards and 6 TDs).
Quarterback Gunnar Stockton has improved over the season at a great rate, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns so far this season. Stockton will look to get the ball to receivers Zachariah Branch (542 yards and 3 TDs), Colbie Young (336 yards and 1 TD), and London Humphreys (221 yards and 2 TDs) against one of the better secondaries in the country. That great Texas secondary includes defensive backs Jelani McDonald (55 tackles, 3 passes defended, 2 interceptions) and Michael Taaffe (51 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 sack) will lead the Texas secondary against Georgia’s dangerous passing game.
If Texas’ offense shows up how it has over their previous two victories, they can play Georgia close on the road at Sanford Stadium. But the Bulldogs just put their best performance of the season together last Saturday against Mississippi State and they will keep it going this weekend. Georgia would eliminate Texas from College Football Playoff conversations with a victory.
Projected Score: Georgia 31, Texas 24
