College Football Releases Initial Playoff Rankings

(image courtesy of ON3.com)

The first edition of the CFP rankings was released on Tuesday, Nov 5th, 2024. Oregon has claimed the number one overall seed, Ohio State and Georgia follow behind at #2 and #3, and Miami rounds the top four out at #4. 
by Drew Caraway and Sean Clift

The Official Bracket 

(from CBS Sports, image from Yahoo Sports)

Conference Champions
   1. Oregon Ducks (#1, 9-0, BIG10 Champion)
   2. Georgia Bulldogs (#3, 7-1, SEC Champion)
   3. Miami Hurricanes (#4, 9-0, ACC Champion)
   4. BYU Cougars (#9, 8-0, BIG12 Champion)

Rest of the Field
   5. Ohio State Buckeyes (#2, 7-1, BIG10)
   6. Texas Longhorns (#5, 7-1, SEC)
   7. Penn State Nittany Lions (#6, 7-1, BIG10)
   8. Tennessee Volunteers (#7, 7-1, SEC)
   9. Indiana Hoosiers (#8, 9-0, BIG10)
   10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (#10, 7-1, Independent)
   11. Alabama Crimson Tide (#11, 6-2, SEC)
   12. Boise State Broncos (#12, 7-1, MWC)

First Four Out
   13. SMU Mustangs (8-1)
   14. Texas A&M Aggies (7-2)
   15. LSU Tigers (7-2)
   16. Ole Miss Rebels (7-2)

(image by Steve Roberts/USA Today Sports/Reuters)

Pivotal Games Leading to the Rankings
So far, this season has had many upsets. One of the most notable games was Vanderbilt beating Alabama. 

Alabama 35-40 Vanderbilt * ESPN *
For the first time since 1984, the Vanderbilt Commodores beat the Crimson Tide and looked good. The Commodores put up 418 yards behind a 42:08-17:58 time of possession in Vanderbilt’s favor. In an interview from Athlon Sports, Vandy Head Coach Clark Lea said, “This isn’t a finish point, but it’s… an arrival.” He continues, “This is the dream right here. For the next 12 hours I’m going to enjoy the dream." 

Kentucky 20-17 Ole Miss * ESPN *
Going into Oxford, Mississippi, Kentucky was a 15.5 underdog. However, that did not stop the Kentucky Wildcats from beating the high-powered Ole Miss offense. The Wildcats held the Rebels to 353 total yards, and only 20:17 of possession along with forcing a turnover. After a heartbreaking loss at home against the top-ranked dogs the week before, the Wildcats wanted to prove they were still a threat to the SEC, and they did. 
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Alabama 17-24 Tennessee * ESPN *
Alabama headed into Neyland Stadium with a loss on their shoulder, and a loss to Tennessee would not only be fatal to their CFP chances, but it would also give the Volunteers bragging rights for the next year in this intense rivalry. The Volunteers held the Alabama offense to 314 total yards while gaining 408 yards for themselves. The Tennessee defense also forced two turnovers on Jalen Milroe, as well as getting three sacks on Milroe.

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(image by Gary Cosby Jr./USA Today Sports/Reuters)

Georgia 34-41 Alabama * ESPN *
Going into this game, Georgia and Alabama were both ranked in the top 5 in the AP Poll. The Alabama and Georgia rivalry has been happening for years upon years and they always battle it out in an exciting game. Georgia fell in heartbreaking fashion, on a Carson Beck interception in the red zone. 

Georgia QB, Carson Beck, played a vital role in this Georgia loss, but also getting Georgia back in this game. Beck tossed three interceptions, two in the first half, but also got Georgia back in this game, throwing for three touchdowns and scoring 27 points in the second half after being down 28-0 at one point and down 30-7 at halftime.

Alabama still proves to be Georgia’s kryptonite. However, it seems Georgia has been better since, with them beating #1 Texas on the road, and Alabama losing to unranked Vanderbilt and #11 Tennessee.


Playoff Schedule * from College Football Playoff's Official Website *
This edition of the CFP is special. Instead of the usual four teams/neutral site first round of the playoff, it is now a 12-team playoff and the first round will be a home game for the higher seed. 

The Playoff is still three weeks away, so there are many more upsets on the table. Vanderbilt and Tennessee still play in Rivalry Week, along with Georgia and Ole Miss this weekend. Fans still have lots to be excited about, even though this season is already coming to a close.

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