Coaches Poll top 25 released following conference championship weekend

Jonathan Wagner

It was only fitting that there were multiple upsets throughout the course of conference championship weekend. This entire college football season has been filled with upsets and surprises, so it’s only right that the final weekend before bowl season went the same way. Following all of the conference championship action, the latest USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll top 25 has been revealed.

Coaches Poll top 25

Alabama (12-1)
Michigan (12-1)
Georgia (12-1)
Cincinnati (13-0)
Notre Dame (11-1)
Baylor (11-2)
Ohio State (10-2)
Ole Miss (10-2)
Oklahoma State (11-2)
Michigan State (10-2)
Utah (10-3)
Pittsburgh (11-2)
Oklahoma (10-2)
BYU (10-2)
Oregon (10-3)
Iowa (10-3)
Louisiana (12-1)
NC State (9-3)
Wake Forest (10-3)
Kentucky (9-3)
Houston (11-2)
Clemson (9-3)
Texas A&M (8-4)
Arkansas (8-4)
UTSA (12-1)

Conference championship weekend still saw multiple upsets

Friday was the first day of conference championship weekend with two games on the slate. UTSA took down Western Kentucky in the Conference USA title game in a 49-41 shootout. Later in the night, Utah and Oregon met for the second time in three weeks. Utah had no issues in the first matchup, and that was the same story on Friday night. The Utes took down Oregon 38-10, handing the Ducks their third loss of the season in the Pac-12 Championship.

The results of the Saturday slate of conference championship games were extremely important for the College Football Playoff picture.

Georgia entered the SEC Championship with a perfect 12-0 record. The Bulldogs had dominated the entire regular season, and many thought that would continue against the Crimson Tide. Instead, Alabama’s offense plowed right through Georgia’s defense to come away with a 41-24 victory. The win is big for Alabama, because not only are the locked into the playoff, but they are likely locked into a top two spot. Georgia, meanwhile, will fall, although the Bulldogs will remain in the top four. There is a new top team in the Coaches Poll top 25 for the first time in months.

Michigan also solidified its spot in the playoff with a dominating 42-3 victory over Iowa to earn the Big Ten title. Cincinnati also wrapped up the AAC Championship with a 35-20 over Houston. The Bearcats will finish the season as the lone undefeated team in college football, and become the first Group of 5 team to earn a spot in the playoff.

Oklahoma State could have wreaked havoc on the playoff picture with a Big 12 title, but Baylor instead comes away Big 12 Champions. Baylor, without starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon, won 21-16 to crush Oklahoma State’s playoff hopes. Pittsburgh also defeated Wake Forest late on Saturday night.

Other results from conference championship weekend include Utah State over San Diego State, Louisiana over Appalachian State, and Northern Illinois over Kent State.