X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2024 College Football Playoff Picture, Projections, Outlook (Week 15 Update)

Neyland Stadium - Top College Football Stadiums Power Rankings

We have completed the college football season. What does the new 12-team college football playoff bracket look like before Conference Championship Week? Mike Marteny takes a look.

This was intended to be a monthly update of the playoff picture, but things have gotten wild in the first couple weeks of November. Wild enough that we at RotoBaller thought it was necessary to do a weekly update for the last few weeks of the season. Week 14 saw Georgia survive, and no fewer than six fights broke out during Rivalry Week. It's all we could have asked for.

There was some chaos this week, but Ohio State's loss to Michigan (again) only means they get a week off and don't have to play Oregon a second time. My working conspiracy theory is that the Buckeyes lost on purpose, so they didn't have to face Oregon again. I'm sticking to it. Miami's loss could make the ACC interesting again.

This new playoff system ushers in a new era of college football. I have been openly critical, and I fear that once the novelty of all of these conference games wears off, we will be left with an unimportant regular season and a 32-team playoff. You know they're not stopping at 12. Rivalry week was just as important even though the outcome of "The Game" didn't matter in the grand scheme of things for the Buckeyes.

 

College Football Playoff Overview

First, we should explain how it works. There are five automatic bids to the playoff. The five highest-ranked conference winners are all in automatically. That will be the Power Four conference winners plus the next-highest-ranked conference champion.

Since the Pac-12 isn't a conference again (yet), Washington State and Oregon State will be treated as independents. That's a moot point this year. The top-four-ranked teams will be given a first round "bye."

That leaves seven at-large playoff teams. Again, we will have a committee to choose these teams. Those seven teams plus the other conference champion will play in the first round. Those games are held at the home stadium of the higher-ranked team.

This will be an exciting time for those teams. Honestly, I have always thought that the college football playoff games should be at on-campus stadiums instead of half-empty ready-made bowl stadiums. That is the one part about this playoff that I am in favor of.

Three-loss teams vying for a championship? If I wanted that mess, I would watch football on Sundays, and there is a reason why I don't.

 

College Football Playoff Automatic Bids

ACC: 

Clemson has three losses, but two of those are to SEC teams. Both of Miami's losses were in the ACC, so they are on the outside looking in. We'll discuss their prospects later. SMU will face Clemson for the ACC Championship. SMU still gets the bid this week.

Big 12:

The Big 12 is a mess. Four teams finished with 7-2 conference records. Colorado's loss to Nebraska in September keeps them out of the discussion. BYU lost the tiebreaker to Iowa State despite a better non-conference win. Arizona State still has the auto bid in our exercise.

Big Ten:

Oregon will face Penn State in the Championship. Penn State holds the tiebreaker over Indiana. Oregon still gets the auto bid.

SEC:

Texas will get a rematch with Georgia in Athens West. Rematches are so boring! Texas still has the bid right now. Check back again on Sunday.

At-Large Champion:

If Boise holds off UNLV again, they're in. If Boise loses, all hell breaks loose.

 

College Football Playoff At-Large Bids

ACC:

Can the ACC sneak three teams in? If Clemson beats SMU, this becomes a serious conversation. The committee claims that a loss in the conference championship won't be an excluding event, but is that true of SMU if they lose big? The only currently ranked team that they beat is Louisville.

If it comes down to SMU or Miami, what does the committee do? Miami's schedule is even worse than SMU and they didn't make the conference championship. I could see a Clemson win knocking the ACC down to one bid. The committee proved what they think of the ACC last year.

As of now, I have Miami out. Both losses were on the road, but both were to unranked teams. They needed miracles to beat Virginia Tech and Cal. Where's the big win? All of the SEC teams we will discuss have at least one big win. Louisville just doesn't cut it.

Big 12: 

This is likely a one-bid league. We can discuss a 10-win team that lost in the conference championship up against a 10-win SEC team that didn't make the CCG. We can have it, but the committee won't.

Right now, we can have a real discussion about Iowa State. However, the "big" wins over Iowa and Kansas State aren't that big right now. No one on the committee cares about Kansas playing up to its potential late in the season. That loss still counts as a loss to a 5-win team. As much as I hate to say it, Iowa State is out.

Big Ten:

Loss to Michigan notwithstanding, Ohio State is still in. If the committee compares them to Indiana, they'll stop at the head-to-head even though Ohio State has one more loss. Penn State is in regardless of the outcome.

That leaves three teams and the question of Indiana. I don't know about you, but I want Indiana in there. The score belies how close they were to Ohio State for much of that game. One turnover and one kickoff return changed the game.

I feel like they deserve another shot, especially after what they did to Purdue. Indiana made a statement in their rivalry game. Not many others did. I understand that Purdue is a bad team, but Ohio State lost to the worst Michigan team in the last 10 years. That matters. If we penalize Ohio State for losing to a rival as a big favorite, we need to give Indiana props for handling the game as they should.

SEC: 

Tennessee is one of those teams that will benefit from not having to play in the conference championship. I don't think they'll move up to the 5-seed, but they will still likely host a playoff game. A three-loss Georgia team is still in. If that third loss had come to the Wreck...who knows?

Does the SEC get a fourth team in? Right now, I think they do...and that's exactly what the committee wants. The ACC and Big 12 cannibalized themselves to the point where the committee can render them both one-bid leagues. This model was built with the Big Ten, SEC, and Notre Dame in mind. It's a committee's dream.

Who's the fourth team? Alabama has all of those top 25 wins but lost to two six-loss teams. South Carolina is a juggernaut right now. If they value how a team has played lately (as I do), South Carolina is in (as they are for me). The Gamecocks have beaten three ranked teams in the last six weeks.

Those pesky teams that won't join a conference:

We're only talking about Notre Dame here. Who else would it be? Washington State and Oregon State would love to join a conference. Notre Dame's only loss is to a 7-5 MAC team. The win over Army and how they did it only helped their cause. USC will be dismissed because it's a rivalry. However, the Irish came up with a big play when they needed it. Not every team did.

What I came up with for the seven at-large teams: Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Notre Dame.

 

College Football Playoff as of December 3, 2024

Byes: Oregon (1), Texas (2), SMU (8), Boise State (10)

Other automatic qualifier: Arizona State (12)

At-large teams: Penn State (3), Notre Dame (4), Georgia (5), Tennessee (6), Ohio State (7), Indiana (9), South Carolina (13)

These super-huge conferences are an issue. They will be the death of the 12-team playoff in a matter of three years or less. If the SEC and Big Ten have their way, it will be the death of college football in the same span. They don't want the other conferences to have a shot. They gobble up any teams that might take away from their accomplishments (Oregon, Washington, Texas, Oklahoma).

I'm going to draw heat for South Carolina, but I shouldn't. Go watch this team at any point in the last half of the season. The loss to LSU is mired in controversy, most of it warranted. I wonder if the SEC wishes it could go back in time and take away from helping an LSU team that they thought was elite in favor of upstart South Carolina.

If you thought whittling the field down to four was tough (it wasn't ... 2023 was the only year of the four-team playoff where it could have been necessary), wait until you see the arguments over 12! I don't know about you, but I would rather be arguing over which one-loss team deserves a shot over arguing about which three-loss team deserves a shot.

If you're wondering what the older (and better) playoff system would look like now, it would feature two Big Ten and two SEC teams. This was by design. The SEC ruined the Big 12 for this reason. The Big Ten ruined the Pac-12 for the same reason.

If we had the old conferences, it would be one representative from the Big Ten (Penn State), Pac-12 (Oregon), Big 12 (Texas), and SEC (Tennessee). Is that so hard?

Here are a couple of games that could have an impact on the final playoff pool during conference championship week.

UNLV at Boise State: A lot is riding on this. The committee clearly doesn't have an issue with letting Boise in regardless of conference affiliation. It has Ashton Jeanty, and Jeanty draws viewers. If Boise loses this game, you'll see the committee move to get rid of the G5 slot in double time.

Iowa State vs. Arizona State: If this is a close game, do both teams get in? I can make a case for it. Many of you could as well if you wanted to. Arizona State has a better shot with a loss than Iowa State does.

Penn State vs. Oregon and Indianapolis: If Oregon loses, who is the top overall seed? It's just a money grab anyway. No one cares that much about the bye (and, in turn, this game). If Oregon loses, they host a playoff game. Not a bad consolation prize.

Clemson vs. SMU at Charlotte: This will be the biggest game of the weekend for playoff implications. If SMU wins, it's easy. They are in and Miami might be too. Should SMU lose, Clemson, in their three-loss glory, would be an automatic qualifier (and I hate it).

A loss by SMU would give the committee the ammunition it needs to hold the Ponies out. However, they will set a dangerous precedent if they do that. They have repeatedly said that the CCG doesn't weigh as heavily. Actions in the past have disputed that claim. Leaving SMU out this year would obliterate it.

We are still college football fans, so we will argue over whatever they tell us to argue about. The picture is mostly clear to me. I hope I'm wrong. We don't need eight teams from two conferences in a playoff.

The ACC and Big 12 are hurt by not having a powerful team in the conference. Had BYU and Miami kept winning, this may look a little different.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More College Football Analysis

More DFS Lineup Picks

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Uchenna Nwosu

Seahawks Place Uchenna Nwosu on PUP List
Taylor Decker

Alim McNeill, Taylor Decker Placed on PUP List
Tyrion Davis-Price

Titans Waive Tyrion Davis-Price
Tre Harris

Chargers Relying on Tre Harris to Be Starting X Receiver
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Micah Parsons

Will Become Highest-Paid Non-QB
MarShawn Lloyd

Vying for RB2 Role
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith Finds End Zone in First Training Camp Practice
Tyler Shough

Pushing for Fully Guaranteed Rookie Deal
Ar'Darius Washington

Goes on PUP List
Lamar Jackson

to be Even Better in 2025?
Tre Harris

Agrees to Terms on Rookie Deal
Justin Herbert

Off to Good Start at Training Camp
Jameson Williams

Earning Rave Reviews from Lions Coaches
Christian Mahogany

Expected to Start for Lions
Zach Allen

an Extension Candidate in Denver?
Zaire Franklin

May Miss Start of Training Camp
Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard Returning to Portland
Mason Taylor

to Play "Crucial" Role in Jets' Offense
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
T.J. Watt

Once Again Becomes Highest-Paid Non-QB
RJ Harvey

Reaches Agreement on Four-Year Rookie Contract
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Believe Rashee Rice Will Receive Two- to Four-Game Suspension
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
MLB

NL All-Stars Win On Tie-Breaker Home Run Swing-Off
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Oneil Cruz

Ties Home Run Derby Distance Record
Cal Raleigh

Wins 2025 Home Run Derby
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Michael Lorenzen

Royals Put Michael Lorenzen on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Junior Tafa

Unsuccessful in his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Tosses Gem Against Giants
Shota Imanaga

Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Nathan Eovaldi

Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Miami Marlins

Marlins Select Aiva Arquette With Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF