BCS formula prediction for fourth College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings
Somehow, we are in the final week of the regular season in college football. In what felt like a short while ago, Week 0 was kicking off and there were a full 13 weeks of fun ahead of us.
Most of the fun has now passed us but there is still some remaining when it comes to the College Football Playoff. Ahead of Tuesday’s unveiling, the BCS formula spat out their top 25 following Week 12 action.
There are some shakeups throughout the top 10, with a significant team dropping multiple spots despite winning. Let’s dive into how the BCS formula would rank the College Football Playoff top 25.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Three straight weeks of tests for Georgia and all three have been passed. The last two have been in flying colors, with the latest being on the road in Knoxville against Tennessee.
BCS rankings have mirrored the College Football Playoff committee to this point when it comes to the No. 1 team. Georgia remains on top and will likely be there until somebody is able to knock them off their throne.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The No. 2 and No. 3 spots have flip-flopped heading into their game on Nov. 25. Nothing on Saturday will quite compare to the hostility expected at the Big House in Ann Arbor.
While “That Team Up North” struggled against Maryland, Ohio State was never really in danger against Minnesota. Everything will be decided in just under a week, with possibly the most anticipated game of the season finally happening.
3. Michigan Wolverines
Win No. 11 this season and No. 1,000 all-time has Michigan continuing to feel good despite the off-field issues. Jim Harbaugh might not be around during the games but his presence is certainly felt when the Wolverines are out there.
Moving forward, everyone in Ann Arbor knows who is coming to town. There have been a ton of matchups against Ohio State with plenty on the line. Arguably none bigger than what might unfold on Saturday.
4. Washington Huskies
Nobody had a bigger win the weekend than Washington. The Huskies went into Corvallis as a field goal underdog against Oregon State and found a way to keep their perfect season alive.
While the debate on Tuesday night will be regarding Washington jumping to No. 4, the BCS has already held them there since last week. Now, we wait to see if the CFP committee does the same.
5. Florida State Seminoles
The story surrounding Florida State for the rest of the season will be Jordan Travis. His college career is over after suffering a leg injury on Saturday against North Alabama. A truly heartbreaking moment for the program.
Even so, the Seminoles are undefeated and have two tough challenges ahead. Florida at the Swamp now becomes more interesting without Travis before playing in the ACC Championship game.
6. Oregon Ducks
Late November road trips to Tempe have stumped the Ducks before but not under Dan Lanning. The dominance continued and Bo Nix put together another strong case as to why he deserves the Heisman Trophy.
Oregon is up one spot in the BCS rankings, coming in at No. 7 just a week ago. Progress is being made toward making the College Football Playoff for the first time since its debut season in 2014.
7. Texas Longhorns
Texas getting a win in Ames did a lot for the program, both in the immediate future and when looking at the big picture. A 10-win regular season had not been accomplished ever by Steve Sarkisian but in Austin, it’s been since 2009.
As for the next few weeks, it kept their College Football Playoff chances afloat. Officially getting into the Big 12 Championship game and closing their time in the conference with a trophy could elevate them into a top-four spot.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is the main reason for the switch up in the top 10, falling two spots in the BCS compared to last week. After a stretch run of impressive SEC wins, the November nonconference weekend bit Nick Saban‘s team from a BCS standpoint.
Chatanooga was the opponent on Saturday, a team Alabama took care of with no problem. Having an FCS opponent pop up on the schedule is going to hurt, no matter the time of year a team plays them.
9. Louisville Cardinals
Some chaos might be needed but Louisville certainly still has a chance at making the College Football Playoff. Being 10-1 heading into the Kentucky matchup with an ACC Championship game on the other side is as good of a first season as Jeff Brohm could have asked for.
For now, all the Cardinals can do is take care of business. Ending a four-game losing streak against the in-state rival is likely going to be the first priority.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
No. 10 is where the two-loss teams begin, with Penn State being the highest of the bunch. Just a week removed from the Michigan loss, the Nittany Lions have still proven to be worthy of a top-10 spot in the rankings from a BCS perspective.
James Franklin will be fighting for a spot in a New Year’s Six Bowl game. A regular-season finale win against Michigan State might do the trick.
11. Missouri Tigers
12. Ole Miss Rebels
13. Oklahoma Sooners
14. LSU Tigers
15. Oregon State Beavers
16. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
17. Arizona Wildcats
18. Kansas State Wildcats
19. Tulane Green Wave
20. Iowa Hawkeyes
21. Liberty Flames
22. Oklahoma State Cowboys
23. James Madison
24. Toledo Rockets
25. Utah Utes
Plenty of teams throughout the BCS’s top 25 will now embark on their hardest games of the year — going up against bitter rivals. Seasons can be defined by getting wins but this time of year, a lot more than bragging rights are at stake.