College Football Playoff Controversy Looms Amid Week 14 Highlights
Week 14 in college football wrapped up with fans and analysts buzzing. There were last-minute wins, playoff drama, and more than a little controversy.
As things settle, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Still, the debates are nowhere near finished.
Contents
Alabama’s Narrow Escape and Its Playoff Implications
Alabama pulled off a 27-20 win over Auburn in a finish that had everyone on edge. Safety Bray Hubbard came up huge with a forced fumble, keeping the Tide’s playoff hopes alive, at least for now.
Coach Kalen DeBoer rolled the dice on a fourth-and-2 with under four minutes left. That gamble paid off and just added to his growing reputation for gutsy play calls.
The Controversy of At-Large Berths
It seems like every team between Nos. 4-14 managed to avoid a loss for the second week in a row. The fight for those at-large playoff spots is getting wild.
No. 11 BYU (11-1), No. 12 Miami (10-2), and No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2) have solid records, but they might still get left out. The committee’s choices are bound to stir up a storm among fans and media.
Locked-In Playoff Berths
Eight teams look set for the playoffs:
- 12-0 Ohio State
- 12-0 Indiana
- 11-1 Georgia
- 11-1 Texas Tech
- 11-1 Texas A&M
- 11-1 Oregon
- 11-1 Ole Miss
- 10-2 Oklahoma
These teams have been steady all season. They’re basically locks for the playoff mix.
The Battle for the Remaining Spots
Two playoff spots are still up for grabs, set to go to the fourth- and fifth-highest ranked conference champs. One’s almost certainly going to the American champ—either 11-1 North Texas or 10-2 Tulane.
The other? Probably 10-2 Virginia if they take the ACC. But if 7-5 Duke pulls off an upset, then 11-1 James Madison could sneak in. Not exactly straightforward.
Miami’s Resurgence
No. 12 Miami is making a late push, especially after thrashing No. 22 Pittsburgh 38-7. Four straight wins in convincing fashion has people talking.
Earlier losses to SMU and Louisville aren’t looking as bad now, given how those teams have turned out. Miami started low in the committee’s rankings, and that might haunt them, but they’re not going quietly.
Notre Dame and Texas in the Mix
No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 16 Texas are still in the hunt. Notre Dame stretched their win streak to 10 games by beating Stanford 49-20.
Texas, meanwhile, shocked everyone with a 27-17 upset over 11-0 Texas A&M. Coach Steve Sarkisian is fighting for his team’s spot, pointing to big wins, but the team’s up-and-down season could hold them back.
Ohio State’s Dominance
Ohio State took down Michigan 27-9, finally beating their rivals for the first time since 2019. Their defense has been lights out, holding every opponent under 17 points—a stat you don’t see often.
At 12-0, the Buckeyes look set for a deep playoff run. They’re peaking at the right time.
The Big Ten Championship Showdown
The Big Ten title game is shaping up as a rare No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash—Ohio State and Indiana, both undefeated. The stakes aren’t quite BCS-level, but it’s going to be a wild one.
Whoever wins gets the No. 1 seed. Even the loser will be in good shape for a top playoff spot, so there’s a bit of a safety net.
Oregon’s Redemption
No. 6 Oregon won’t get to defend their Big Ten title, but they’re not out of it. The Ducks closed the regular season at 11-1, getting some payback against Washington with a 26-14 win.
Quarterback Dante Moore has been a difference-maker. Oregon’s a team nobody wants to face right now.
Oklahoma’s Gritty Season
No. 8 Oklahoma finished 10-2, leaning on their defense all year. Even with quarterback John Mateer tossing three picks against LSU, the defense came through, and they won 17-13.
Wins over Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee give the Sooners a strong case. They’ve definitely earned a look.
Georgia’s Consistency
Georgia beat Georgia Tech 16-9, locking in their eighth conference title game in nine years. Coach Kirby Smart’s run has been seriously impressive, though his record against Alabama still stings.
Still, Georgia’s playoff spot is safe—even if they drop the SEC title game to Alabama. Not many teams can say that.
Virginia’s Remarkable Turnaround
No. 18 Virginia quietly put together a 10-win season, their first since 1989. Coach Tony Elliott’s squad has one more test: the ACC championship game against 7-5 Duke.
If they win, they’re in. But if Duke pulls off the upset, two Group of 5 conference champs could sneak into the playoffs, which would be a pretty tough look for the ACC.
Conclusion
The playoff picture in college football is getting complicated. We’re down to the final stretch, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mess.
So many teams are making their case. The committee’s choices this year? They’re going to be under a microscope, no doubt.
If you want the nitty-gritty details, the full breakdown is over at college football’s Week 14 results.
