We’re six days out from the first important stop on the road to the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Alabama hosting Georgia, with a former President in town provides the first significant point in figuring out who has a leg up in this new era of college football, for a week at least.
However, if we’ve learned anything from this previous week, the loops on this roller coaster are going to come in waves over the next 10 weeks.
Take a look at the Big Ten for a sign of things to come. On Friday, we saw a Nebraska team revert to its Frost-era form in an overtime meltdown at home vs. Illinois. On Saturday, Michigan welcomed USC to the league by taking the game back 100 years by passing for 32 yards in the year of our Lord, 2024.
And winning.
On the G5 side, Memphis followed up a win at Florida State by getting their battleships sunk by Navy. And possibly, their playoff hopes right along with it.
These small but significant moments will continue to build with more carnage in its wake.
Next stop: Tuscaloosa, AL.
Before that, what does the AL.com Top 25 look like?
- Georgia-The 2024 season officially begins this week for the Bulldogs.
- Ohio State-Marshall’s biscuit bribe clearly wasn’t enough.
- Texas-When there’s an Arch, there’s a way.
- Oregon-It’s safe to start the countdown to their showdown with Ohio State on Oct. 12.
- Alabama-Kalen DeBoer, welcome to the SEC. Congrats, you get Georgia to start.
- Penn State-The Nittany Lions have gone under the radar-I mean, haven’t played anybody so far in 2024.
- Ole Miss-Call me when they play someone good.
- Utah-The Utah Utes going on the road and mashing the opponents face in? Oh, they’ll be fine in the Big 12.
- Miami-Canes, THAT was impressive.
- Tennessee-OK, so the Vols might be for real.
- Michigan-I’m not sure how long this climb back into ‘contender’ status will last but might as well enjoy it!
- Missouri-Look, the Tigers survived. I’m not sure how exactly, but they did.
- Oklahoma State-It’s a small blip on the radar, but if Oklahoma State wants to be a playoff team, they can’t avoid many more.
- Boise State-With Memphis, Northern Illinois and other losing on Saturday, the path to the playoff is pretty clear.
- Louisville-A Louisville win next week helps Cardinal playoff odds, and all but ends Notre Dame’s.
- USC-The playoff chase isn’t done, but the questions about the Trojans will linger.
- Kansas State-The Wildcats have a night to forget in Provo. Up next? Oklahoma State in a possible title-game eliminator. I will be watching.
- Clemson-Is Clemson, good?
- LSU-The Tigers road to the playoff is still shaky, but beating UCLA like they did isn’t too bad.
- Notre Dame-QB Riley Leonard actually threw a touchdown pass. Time to celebrate!
- Illinois-Do not be shocked if Illinois beats Penn State, they’re salty enough to get it done.
- Iowa State-Here come the Cyclones, sneaking up the ranks in the Big 12.
- Texas A&M-Hey man, those MAC schools are tough!
- Boston College-Boston College stormed the field after being a six-point favorite vs…*checks notes* Michigan State?!?
- Nebraska-It’s like Scott Frost never left.
So, what does the 12-team playoff look like this week?
First round games
No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Texas
No. 11 Michigan at No. 6 Oregon
No. 10 Tennessee at No. 7 Alabama
No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 8 Penn State
CFP quarterfinals
No. 1 Georgia vs. 8-9 winner.
No. 2 Ohio State vs. 7-10 winner.
No. 3 Utah vs. 6-11 winner.
No. 4 Miami vs. 5-12 winner
