Notre Dame Nears CFP Spot, Miami Faces Playoff Uncertainty
The College Football Playoff (CFP) race is really starting to sizzle as we head into the final stretch. Week 12 brought upsets, wild comebacks, and some season-defining wins that shook up the playoff picture.
Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and USC all managed to snag dramatic victories to keep their playoff dreams alive. Meanwhile, Notre Dame and Miami are still fighting for their shot. Let’s take a look at the games that mattered most and what they mean for the CFP race.
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Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and USC: The Comeback Kids
Week 12 was a wild ride for Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and USC. All three teams were teetering on the edge but somehow found a way back.
Oklahoma toppled Alabama when it mattered most. Georgia Tech barely dodged disaster against Boston College, and USC clawed past Iowa. Their playoff hopes are still alive, but let’s be honest, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier.
Oklahoma’s Crucial Victory
Oklahoma’s win over Alabama? Pretty wild. The Sooners were staring down what would’ve been a third loss—basically a playoff death sentence.
Instead, they pulled off a gutsy comeback and shoved themselves back into the playoff conversation. This win also throws the SEC into a bit of chaos, with five teams now in play for CFP spots.
Georgia Tech’s Narrow Escape
Georgia Tech flirted with disaster in a big way. Down by 11 late in the third against Boston College, the Yellow Jackets somehow squeaked out a 36-34 win with a last-second field goal.
That keeps their ACC title game hopes alive. If they somehow knock off Georgia, who knows—an at-large bid could be on the table.
USC’s Gritty Performance
USC’s comeback over Iowa sets up a monster game with Oregon next week. The Trojans are now 8-2 and have about a 20% shot at making the playoff.
If they can take down Oregon, it could shake up the Big Ten standings and maybe even knock a Big Ten team out of the CFP picture.
Notre Dame and Miami: A Tale of Two Teams
Notre Dame seems to have pretty much locked up a playoff spot after beating Pitt. The Irish have rattled off eight straight wins by an average of 26 points since starting 0-2.
With just Syracuse and Stanford left, 10-2 feels almost inevitable. But Miami’s still lurking and could mess things up.
Notre Dame’s Strong Position
Notre Dame’s dominance over Pitt put them in a fantastic spot for the CFP. Austin Mock’s projections have them at a 96% chance to make it.
Syracuse and Stanford haven’t exactly impressed this year, so Notre Dame’s path to 10-2 looks pretty clear.
Miami’s Uphill Battle
Miami’s season? Total rollercoaster. They beat Notre Dame early, but then dropped close ones to Louisville and SMU.
Now they’re chasing the Irish in the rankings, but if Miami can run the table against Virginia Tech and Pitt, their playoff odds get a lot better.
The Big Ten and SEC: A Crowded Field
The Big Ten and SEC are both jammed with contenders. The SEC might end up with five teams in the top 12, and the Big Ten’s looking at four.
It’s a mess trying to predict who actually gets in.
The Big Ten’s Dilemma
The Big Ten’s got a weird situation brewing. If USC knocks off Oregon, both could finish 10-2, which might squeeze out a Big Ten team.
Ohio State and Indiana are leading the pack right now, but the outcome of USC-Oregon could flip everything upside down.
The SEC’s Strong Contenders
The SEC is stacked this year. Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma are all in the mix.
Texas A&M is still unbeaten, Georgia and Ole Miss have one loss each, and Alabama and Oklahoma are sitting at 10-2. This depth could easily mean multiple SEC teams in the playoff.
Other Notable Teams
Texas, Michigan, and James Madison are still hanging around in the playoff hunt. Each has had their share of ups and downs but they’re not out of it yet.
Texas’s Rollercoaster Season
Texas has had a rocky ride and sits at 7-3. After a tough loss to Georgia, they still have Arkansas and Texas A&M ahead.
If they win out, maybe they can make a 9-3 playoff case, but honestly, their inconsistency makes that a tough sell.
Michigan’s Narrow Escape
Michigan barely slipped past Northwestern with a last-second field goal. The Wolverines are 8-2 now, with Maryland and Ohio State left.
Beating Ohio State could boost their playoff hopes, but that earlier loss to Oklahoma might come back to haunt them.
James Madison’s Playoff Hopes
James Madison’s playoff odds sit at 37%, at least if you trust Mock’s projections. They’re the favorites to win the Sun Belt, but things get messy after that.
The American champion hasn’t been decided yet. If Navy ends up taking it, the committee will have to judge them on just 11 games, which honestly just muddies the whole playoff picture even more.
Week 12 really threw a wrench into the College Football Playoff race. There are still some huge games left, and it’s hard not to get excited about how wild these last weeks could get.
If you’re curious about all the details from Week 12 and what it means for the CFP, you can dive into the full breakdown at The New York Times.
