SEC Surges as Big Ten Struggles in College Football Playoff Race
The College Football Playoff (CFP) race is getting wild as we head into the season’s home stretch. The tension between the Big Ten and SEC is, well, impossible to ignore right now.
Both conferences are trying to grab as many spots as possible in next year’s new 12-team playoff. The SEC, with Mississippi State president Mark Keenum out front, wants fewer automatic bids for power conferences. Meanwhile, the Big Ten’s Tony Petitti is pushing for more.
There are only a handful of weekends left until selection day. Every single game feels like it could make or break a team’s season.
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Big Ten vs. SEC: A Battle for Playoff Spots
This past weekend, you could really see why these two conferences are digging in their heels over the CFP format. The SEC looks more and more likely to get four teams in, while the Big Ten’s chances of landing more than three are slipping away.
The Big Ten still had its moments, though. Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. pulled off a jaw-dropping catch, and Oregon’s Dante Moore launched a throw that had people talking.
Key Highlights from the Big Ten
Some of the biggest plays in the Big Ten this week:
- Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. making the catch of the day
- Oregon’s Dante Moore executing the throw of the day
- No. 23 Washington getting upset by Wisconsin in Madison
- Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza making more noise in the Heisman race
The conference didn’t escape disappointment, though. Two more Big Ten teams probably saw their playoff dreams dashed this weekend.
Oregon barely hung on against No. 20 Iowa, keeping their hopes alive. Washington’s loss to Wisconsin, though—that’s a heartbreaker for their fans.
SEC’s Strong Position
The SEC, on the other hand, had a pretty quiet weekend at the top. Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss all rolled to double-digit wins.
Texas A&M basically slammed the door on Missouri’s playoff hopes. Vanderbilt, somehow, is still in the mix after an overtime thriller against Auburn.
SEC Teams in the Playoff Hunt
Right now, the SEC has seven teams still in the hunt. Four of them are almost locks, honestly:
- Texas A&M (9-0, >99% chance)
- Ole Miss (9-1, 97% chance)
- Georgia (8-1, 96% chance)
- Alabama (8-1, 90% chance)
Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Texas are technically alive, too. Texas probably has the best shot to sneak in at 9-3, but they’ve got to get through Georgia and Texas A&M first.
Big 12 and ACC: Dark Horses and Surprises
The Big 12 just got a shakeup—No. 8 Texas Tech took down No. 7 BYU. That puts the Red Raiders in a good spot for the conference title game.
If Texas Tech and BYU meet again, there’s a decent chance the Big 12 could send two teams to the CFP. The ACC? It’s just chaos at this point.
Virginia lost to Wake Forest, and Louisville fell to Cal in overtime, so now there’s a four-way tie at the top of the ACC standings. It’s anyone’s guess who comes out on top.
Big 12’s Playoff Contenders
Texas Tech is leading the Big 12 charge. But a few others are still lurking:
- Utah (7-2, 22% chance)
- BYU (8-1, 17% chance)
- Cincinnati (7-2, 16% chance)
If the Red Raiders keep winning, they’ve got a real shot at a top-four seed.
ACC’s Chaotic Race
The ACC’s playoff hopes are fading fast. Six losses to teams outside the power conferences will do that.
The best hope now? The winner of the Georgia Tech-Pitt matchup, assuming they can also beat Notre Dame and Georgia. That’s a tall order.
American Conference and Group of 5 Teams
The American Conference race just keeps twisting. Tulane knocked off Memphis, which shakes things up again.
North Texas is in the best spot to reach the title game, but Navy vs. South Florida could still turn everything upside down.
Group of 5 Playoff Chances
South Florida actually has the best Group of 5 shot at the CFP right now. But a couple of others are still mathematically alive:
- North Texas (8-1, 23% chance)
- Tulane (7-2, 15% chance)
- East Carolina (6-3, 3% chance)
The American Conference tiebreakers could get messy. We might even see computer rankings decide who makes the cut. Wouldn’t that be something?
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The last few weeks of the regular season are finally here. The CFP race? Wild as ever—nobody can quite predict how it’ll shake out.
The Big Ten and SEC are still locked in a fierce battle. Their rivalry keeps shifting the playoff picture, and honestly, it’s tough to look away.
Meanwhile, teams from the Big 12, ACC, and even some from the Group of 5 are still scrapping for a shot. Every single game matters now. If you’re a fan, expect nerves, chaos, and a lot of late-night scoreboard watching.
For more detailed updates and projections, check out the latest from the New York Times.
