Alabama crushed LSU 31-13 on the road, proving doubters wrong and validating the College Football Playoff committee’s decision to rank the Tide at No. 5. The victory in Baton Rouge left no doubt about Alabama’s strength after some questioned whether the Crimson Tide were overrated. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s playoff hopes took a serious hit with a 41-28 home loss to Oregon, confirming the committee’s skepticism about the Buckeyes’ schedule and defense.
The weekend’s results shifted the landscape of the top 12, with Notre Dame and Tennessee emerging as teams the committee might have underrated. Notre Dame’s performance on the field, coupled with Tennessee’s decisive win over Kentucky, suggests both programs could climb the rankings significantly. The committee had already given Kentucky credit, so Tennessee’s dominant display against the Wildcats demands recognition. Notre Dame’s rise draws a parallel with Miami, which lost its undefeated record and suffered a blow with the injury to Malachi Toney.
Georgia remains the nation’s most reliable team, holding on to the No. 1 spot in the hypothetical next rankings. Utah, despite playing in the Pac-12, is viewed as a top contender and would likely be ranked No. 1 if wearing an SEC or Big Ten jersey. Alabama’s résumé includes road wins against LSU, Kentucky, and Mississippi State, plus a narrow loss to Georgia, which all strengthen their playoff case.
Texas also secured a significant win over Missouri, a top-25 opponent, keeping its playoff hopes alive even with the possibility of a third loss. UCLA impressed with a road victory at Minnesota, and that win looks better after Oregon’s dismantling of Ohio State. Wake Forest continues its surge, riding a six-game winning streak following a 77-0 rout of Merrimack, an FCS opponent.
The weekend also exposed vulnerabilities. Ohio State’s defense faltered badly against Oregon, allowing 41 points and falling apart at crucial moments. The Buckeyes’ loss effectively ended their playoff chances. LSU’s struggles continued under first-year coach Lane Kiffin. Despite leading Alabama late in the third quarter, LSU collapsed in the final stages, a pattern that has haunted the Tigers all season. Kiffin admitted his team lacked answers after the loss. “I don't know,” he said when asked why LSU fails to make winning plays in crunch time. The Tigers’ 6-3 record does not reflect the investment made in the roster or the expectations for Kiffin’s debut season.
The SEC’s initial support for a 24-team playoff bracket now looks like a miscalculation. The Big Ten, after Ohio State’s loss, faces the possibility of only two playoff bids, while the SEC could send twice as many teams. The Big 12’s chances of securing three bids appear higher than the Big Ten’s. This development runs counter to the Big Ten’s push for a larger playoff field and leaves the SEC in a stronger position despite the confusion over the bracket size.
Ole Miss is facing a difficult stretch after parting ways with Lane Kiffin, whose tenure is marked by a sharp decline in performance compared to his earlier success with the Rebels. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who was part of the coaching staff during Kiffin’s better days, has seen the team struggle to maintain its form. The hope of a future reunion between Kiffin and Ole Miss staff feels distant given current tensions and poor results.
As the CFP committee prepares to release new rankings, Alabama’s authoritative win, Ohio State’s defensive collapse, and the rise of Notre Dame and Tennessee set the stage for an evolving playoff picture. The committee’s initial judgments have gained validation, but questions remain about which teams will ultimately secure a spot in the postseason.
According to Yahoo Sports.