In this crucial stage of the college football season, the rankings hold significant weight. The top teams are vying for that coveted first-round bye and a spot in the playoffs. Oregon, currently ranked No. 1, has been a force to be reckoned with, maintaining an undefeated record. Texas, also at No. 2 with a 9-1 record, is in strong contention. Miami and Boise State, both at No. 3 and No. 12 respectively, have shown their mettle and are looking to make a deep run.
But the landscape is constantly changing. LSU has fallen out of the rankings entirely, while Army, the lowest-ranked undefeated team, is slowly climbing up. Just two weeks ago, they were No. 25, and now they are ranked No. 19. As they prepare for a matchup with No. 6 Notre Dame this Saturday, anything could happen.
The CFP bracket is set based on the latest rankings and projections. In the first round, we have some exciting matchups. No. 14 BYU will face off against No. 2 Ohio State. No. 7 Alabama takes on No. 6 Notre Dame. No. 10 Georgia goes up against No. 4 Penn State, and No. 9 Ole Miss battles No. 5 Indiana.
As the playoffs progress, the quarterfinals will be equally intense. The winners of the first-round games will face off against the top-four conference champions. The semifinals, played at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 9-10, will determine the final two teams that will compete for the national championship on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The schedule for the College Football Playoff is packed with action. All games are scheduled in Eastern time. In the first round, we have four exciting matchups. Game 1 takes place on Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN. Game 2 is on Saturday, December 21 at 12 p.m. on TNT Sports. Game 3 follows at 4 p.m. on TNT Sports, and Game 4 rounds out the first round on Saturday, December 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.
The playoff quarterfinals begin on Tuesday, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN with the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. The Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl is on Wednesday, January 1 at 1 p.m. on ESPN. The Rose Bowl is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1 on ESPN, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl is at 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1 on ESPN.
The third College Football Playoff rankings of the 2024 season will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Fans can also stream the show on Fubo with a free trial. It's an event that all college football fans won't want to miss.
USA TODAY has released their latest seedings based on the US LBM Coaches Poll and CFP selection process. Oregon leads the pack at No. 1, followed by Texas and Miami. Boise State also finds itself in a strong position at No. 4. The network's experts have their own takes on the rankings, with different opinions on which teams will make it to the top.
For example, Andrea Adelson has Oregon at No. 1, Texas at No. 2, Miami at No. 3, and Colorado at No. 5. Adam Rittenberg has Oregon at No. 1, Texas at No. 2, SMU at No. 3, and Colorado at No. 4. Paolo Uggetti also has Oregon at No. 1, Texas at No. 2, Miami at No. 3, and Colorado at No. 4. It shows the uncertainty and excitement of the playoff race.
The third College Football Playoff rankings of the 2024 season will be released every Tuesday through Dec. 3. This provides teams with the opportunity to adjust their strategies and improve their performances. A new top 25 ranking is released each week, building up to the CFP selection show on Dec. 8 to announce the 12-team playoff field.
The College Football Playoff rankings show airs on ESPN every Tuesday from Nov. 5 through Dec. 3. This week's show starts at 7 p.m. ET and ends at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in to catch all the latest updates and see how their favorite teams are performing.
This season, there are 12 teams in the College Football Playoff for the first time. The expansion from a four-team format to 12 teams was a significant change that has added more excitement to the playoffs. Leaders within the sport have not yet agreed to the framework of the playoff beyond 2025, but for now, 12 teams will battle it out for the national championship.
The 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff bracket are determined by the CFP selection committee. The top five conference champions are seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The sixth through 12th ranked teams compete in the first round. The higher-ranked team in each pairing serves as host on campus.
The quarterfinal games are played at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The semifinals are played at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 9-10. The two semifinal winners then face off for the national championship on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
As of Nov. 18, the latest College Football Playoff title odds from BetMGM show some interesting trends. Ohio State is the favorite at +320, followed by Oregon at +450. Georgia and Texas are tied at +500, while Alabama is at +750. Ole Miss is at +1100, Penn State at +1800, and Notre Dame at +2000. The odds give an indication of the teams' chances of winning the national championship, but anything can happen in college football.