Week 14 College Football Playoff Projections: Top Seeds and Bubble Teams
The 2025 college football season? It’s been wild. Twists, turns, and now Rivalry Week is staring us down.
Seventeen teams from the Power 4 conferences and Notre Dame have two losses or fewer. The College Football Playoff (CFP) race is tighter than ever.
Let’s dig into the playoff scenarios, key matchups, and what kind of chaos an upset could unleash as the regular season wraps up. For a closer look at the standings and more, here’s the latest Sporting News article.
Contents
The Unpredictable Path to the Playoffs
We’re almost at the end of the regular season, and the playoff picture is anything but clear. Sixteen teams from the Power 4 and Notre Dame have two losses or fewer, so the CFP committee has their work cut out for them.
Even three-loss teams like SMU and Pitt are still hanging around in the conference title races. That just adds another layer of confusion.
ACC: Miami’s Uphill Battle
Miami’s the highest-ranked ACC squad in the CFP rankings, but their path is anything but easy. The Hurricanes need to win and get some outside help to make the ACC championship game.
Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Notre Dame are all still lurking. The ACC is a mess—nothing’s settled yet.
- Miami: Needs to win and get help to reach the ACC championship game.
- Virginia: Can punch their ticket to the ACC championship game with a win against Virginia Tech.
- Georgia Tech: A longshot after a loss to Pitt but still mathematically in the race.
SEC: Potential for Chaos
The SEC could get turned upside down depending on how Rivalry Week shakes out. If Ole Miss drops the Egg Bowl and Georgia stumbles against Georgia Tech, we could see five teams with two losses.
That would be a nightmare for the selection committee. Maybe a little fun for the rest of us, though?
- Texas A&M: Undefeated and eyeing a spot in the SEC championship game.
- Ole Miss: Needs a win in the Egg Bowl to secure a strong playoff position.
- Georgia: Must win and hope for an Alabama loss to get into the SEC championship game.
Big Ten: A Tight Race
The Big Ten is packed with contenders. Ohio State and Indiana are both undefeated, while Michigan and Oregon are hanging on with two losses.
The Michigan vs. Ohio State game? That’s the one everyone’s watching—it could decide everything for the conference.
- Ohio State: Dominant all season and looking to maintain their perfect record.
- Indiana: Also undefeated and aiming for a spot in the Big Ten championship game.
- Michigan: Needs a win against Ohio State to stay in the playoff hunt.
Big 12: A Battle for Supremacy
The Big 12 has its own drama. Texas Tech and BYU are leading, each with just one loss.
There’s a real chance these two could face off again for the conference title. Wouldn’t that be something?
- Texas Tech: Can clinch a spot in the Big 12 championship game with a win against West Virginia.
- BYU: Needs a win to secure their place in the Big 12 championship game.
Key Matchups to Watch
Rivalry Week is loaded with games that could flip the playoff picture upside down. Here are a few that stand out.
Ohio State vs. Michigan
The Buckeyes have been stingy, giving up just 7.6 points per game. But Michigan’s got a shot to shake things up and maybe steal a playoff spot.
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia needs a win and an Alabama loss to get into the SEC championship. They’ve been rolling, but a slip against Georgia Tech could ruin everything.
Texas A&M vs. Texas
The Aggies are undefeated and want to finish strong against Texas. An SEC title shot is on the line here, and if they lose, the door opens for someone else.
Miami vs. Pitt
Miami’s playoff hopes are dangling by a thread. They need to beat Pitt—and hope a few other results fall their way to reach the ACC championship.
Potential Upsets and Their Impact
College football always has room for a good upset. Here are a few wild scenarios that could blow up the playoff race.
Ole Miss Loses to Mississippi State
If Ole Miss drops the Egg Bowl, the SEC could end up with five two-loss teams. How would the committee even sort that out?
Georgia Loses to Georgia Tech
A Georgia loss would just make the SEC picture even messier. The Bulldogs need to win and get some help, but a loss probably ends their run.
Michigan Beats Ohio State
If Michigan pulls it off, the Big Ten could have two 10-2 teams at the top. Good luck to the committee trying to pick the best out of that pile.
Conclusion
Rivalry Week is almost here, and honestly, the college football playoff picture feels more tangled than ever. There are still plenty of teams with a shot, and you just know someone’s going to pull off an upset.
The last week of the regular season should be wild. If you want to dig into all the playoff scenarios and see which matchups really matter, check out the full Sporting News article.
