Week 13 College Football Playoff Bracket: Top Seeds and Bubble Teams
The College Football Playoff (CFP) race is getting wild as we move into Week 13. Several teams are still fighting for those final playoff spots.
Alabama’s recent loss to Oklahoma has really stirred up the rankings debate. People are already arguing about what this means for the playoff picture and who might sneak in.
This article dives into the latest playoff projections and some of the matchups that could totally change things. There’s a lot to sort through, and honestly, it’s anybody’s guess how it’ll all shake out.
Contents
Alabama vs. Oklahoma: The Debate Continues
The Sporting News points out that Oklahoma’s 23-21 upset over Alabama felt a lot like last year’s 24-3 blowout that knocked the Crimson Tide out of the playoffs. Now, both teams are 8-2, but the debate is whether Alabama should still be ranked ahead of Oklahoma.
The Sooners lost to Texas and Ole Miss, while Alabama’s two defeats were to Florida State and, of course, Oklahoma. It’s a mess, honestly, and people are split on who deserves the higher spot.
Impact on Rankings
Even with the loss, Alabama still has a shot at the SEC championship game. That could easily bump them ahead of Oklahoma in the rankings.
This is huge because it decides who gets a home playoff game and who has to travel. Alabama is also probably going to be ranked ahead of Notre Dame, which just adds more fuel to the fire.
Current Playoff Projections
Week 13 is almost here, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Here’s a look at the Power 4 teams with two losses or fewer—though, let’s be honest, some of these records are a bit surprising.
SEC Teams
- Texas A&M (10-0)
- Ole Miss (10-1)
- Georgia (9-1)
- Alabama (8-2)
- Vanderbilt (8-2)
Big Ten Teams
- Indiana (11-0)
- Ohio State (10-0)
- Oregon (9-1)
- USC (8-2)
- Michigan (8-2)
Big 12 Teams
- Texas Tech (10-1)
- BYU (9-1)
- Houston (8-2)
- Oklahoma (8-2)
ACC Teams
- Georgia Tech (9-1)
- Virginia (9-2)
- Miami (8-2)
Key Matchups and Scenarios
There are some huge games coming up in Week 13 that could totally change the playoff race. Ohio State is still rolling through the Big Ten, next up is Rutgers.
Even with some injuries at receiver, the Buckeyes look tough. Texas A&M, the last unbeaten SEC team, faces Samford and can lock in a spot in the SEC championship game with a win on Black Friday against Texas.
SEC Showdowns
Georgia’s win over Texas keeps them alive, but it’s not in their hands. They need Alabama or Texas A&M to slip up to get a shot at the SEC title game.
Ole Miss could make its first CFP appearance if they can knock off Missouri and LSU in the last two weeks. That’s a big “if,” though.
Big Ten Battles
Indiana is inching toward a Big Ten championship berth, thanks in large part to quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Ohio State’s injuries are piling up, but they’re hanging in there because of their depth.
Michigan and USC are still in the mix, but they’ve got some tough games left. Nothing is locked in yet.
First-Round Playoff Matchups
Looking ahead, the projected first-round playoff matchups are pretty interesting. Texas Tech is making a push for a first-round bye as the likely Big 12 champ.
Oregon is aiming for back-to-back CFP trips, and the ACC champ will probably grab a playoff spot, even if they have two losses. The race there is just all over the place.
Potential Matchups
- Texas Tech vs. West Virginia
- Oregon vs. USC
- Georgia Tech vs. Pitt
- Ole Miss vs. Florida
Group of 5 Contenders
The American Athletic Conference is a mess right now, which might actually help James Madison from the Sun Belt sneak in. The Dukes have handled the pressure of their AP Top 25 ranking pretty well so far.
If they keep winning, who knows? Maybe they’ll grab a playoff spot.
Bubble Teams to Watch
There are a bunch of two-loss teams still hanging around the playoff bubble. Miami and Michigan are in the mix, but their paths look pretty rough from here.
Utah’s offense is putting up points, and they could make a case for an at-large berth despite the two losses. It’s not impossible, just unlikely.
Key Bubble Teams
- Miami (8-2)
- Michigan (8-2)
- Utah (8-2)
- Virginia (9-2)
- BYU (9-1)
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff race is wild right now. So many teams are still in the mix, and there are some massive games coming up.
Week 13 should be a rollercoaster. The debates and projections? They’re just getting louder.
If you care about the rankings or want to see which teams might sneak in, now’s the time to pay close attention. The playoff field will be set before you know it.
For more updates and projections, you can check out the latest from the Sporting News.
