Forecasting the College Football Playoff Top 25 for Conference Championship Week
The
concluding week of college football's regular season delivered an array of
thrilling moments. Rivalry matchups took center stage, treating fans to
compelling football action throughout the Thanksgiving weekend.
The headline event featured a fierce clash between No. 3 Michigan and No. 2 Ohio State at the Big House. Michigan emerged victorious with a hard-fought 30–24 win, securing their third consecutive triumph in this storied rivalry and earning a spot in the Big Ten title game.
In another nail-biter, No. 8 Alabama managed to survive a challenging visit to Auburn. A dramatic late fourth-down touchdown pass by quarterback Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond kept the Crimson Tide's College Football Playoff aspirations alive.
Simultaneously, No. 4 Washington executed a dramatic fourth-down play from their own territory to sustain a late drive against Washington State. Kicker Grady Gross sealed the win with a game-winning field goal, preserving Washington's unbeaten record and earning a scholarship in the process.
Meanwhile, No. 6 Oregon surged into Sports Illustrated's CFP top four projection after dominating No. 16 Oregon State with a convincing 31–7 victory in Eugene. This game marked the end of Jonathan Smith's coaching tenure at Oregon State, as he was announced as Michigan State's new coach on Saturday afternoon.
Taking the spot in the top four projection vacated by Oregon was Florida State. The Seminoles successfully navigated their first test with backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker, edging out unranked Florida in Gainesville to maintain their undefeated status. A win in the upcoming ACC title game against Louisville would likely secure Florida State's place in the CFP, as no undefeated Power Five conference champion has ever been excluded from the four-team field.
While there is still potential for movement among the top teams after conference championship week, here is Sports Illustrated's updated CFP projection as the race heads into the final stretch:
Projected Ranking:
Georgia
Bulldogs: 12–0 (8–0 SEC)
This Week: Won 31–23 at Georgia Tech
Next
Week: SEC Championship vs. Alabama
Michigan
Wolverines: 12–0 (9–0 Big Ten)
This Week: Won 30–24 vs. No. 2 Ohio State
Next
Week: Big Ten Championship vs. Iowa
Washington
Huskies: 12–0 (9–0 Pac-12)
This Week: Won 24–21 vs. Washington State
Next
Week: Pac-12 Championship vs. Oregon
Oregon
Ducks: 11–1 (8–1 Pac-12)
This Week: Won 31–7 vs. No. 16 Oregon State
Next
Week: Pac-12 Championship vs. Washington
Florida
State Seminoles: 12–0 (8–0 ACC)
This Week: Won 24–15 at Florida
Next
Week: ACC Championship vs. Louisville
Ohio
State Buckeyes: 11–1 (8–1 Big Ten)
This Week: Lost 30–24 at No. 3 Michigan
Next
Week: No game
Texas
Longhorns: 11–1 (8–1 Big 12)
This Week: Won 57–7 vs. Texas Tech
Next
Week: Big 12 Championship vs. Oklahoma State
Alabama
Crimson Tide: 11–1 (8–0 SEC)
This Week: Won 27–24 at Auburn
Next
Week: SEC Championship vs. Georgia
Missouri
Tigers: 10–2 (6–2 SEC)
This Week: Won 48–14 at Arkansas
Next
Week: No game
Penn
State Nittany Lions: 10–2 (7–2 Big Ten)
This Week: Won 42–0 at Michigan State
Next
Week: No game
...
(continues with rankings 11-25)
Others
Considered: Utah, New Mexico State, UNLV, SMU
Dropped from Rankings: Kansas State
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