4) ARIZONA STATE (11-2)

This team had off-the-field issues, players transferred out, and the program had a suspension coming their way. Outside of THE Cam Skattebo, who does Arizona State have? Well, Sam Leavitt, Jordyn Tyson, and Xavier Guillory arrived to back up their guy and do the unthinkable and show the world that the Sun Devils are back. What was supposed to be an ongoing rebuilding process turned into a playoff team that’s ahead of schedule.

One man was the reason that Arizona State’s here. We all know who? The bruising, ol’ school, workhorse back Cam Skattebo. The kid from outside the Sacramento area and played at Sacramento State transferred to Arizona State two seasons ago. He showed what he was capable of last season, but he went 100% optimal running back in his second season with Zona State. He tore apart most defenses for 1568 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s on pace to breaking Eno Benjamin’s record for most rushing yards in a season (1642) and Woody Green’s record for most touchdowns in a single season (19). He was also complimented by Sam Leavitt’s dual threat ability and came to light in the Big 12 championship game.

This should be a story for the program. They are the first team to go from a projected last place Big 12 team to winning a conference title to make the 12-team playoff. If they can pull off the impossible, this will be a perfect storybook ending to what was an awful offseason of experience for the program. Skattebo, Leavitt, coach Kenny Dillingham, and the Sun Devils could be THE Cinderellas of the playoffs.

3) BOISE STATE (12-1)

Boise State was the preseason favorite to make the playoffs as the Group of Five representative and they didn’t disappoint. The man that got them there was Ashton Jeanty. The whole season was the Ashton Jeanty Show and made college football season entertaining for most, including the media and opposing teams that had no choice but to be in awe of his Heisman-like performance.

Ashton Jeanty hasn’t run under 100 yards since September 30th last season against Memphis. The man was said to be a bowling ball with knives. There’s got to be more names related, but it fits him because he’s very difficult to stop. While he’s bulldozing the competition, he was helped by his quarterback Maddux Madsen. When Jeanty struggled against UNLV, Maddux backed him up in crucial situations to escape the upset. Boise State’s defense is no slouch either, but they will be heavily tested against whoever their upcoming opponent is in neutral site.

This was a long time coming for Boise State to make the postseason of any kind. It’s in their blood, their small program was historically built for it, and they were destined for this. Their long-awaited dream finally came true (along with a surprising bye) and now they can enjoy their rest before their bowling ball with knives is ready to roll out against whoever the opposing defense is.

2) GEORGIA (11-2)

Georgia is Georgia. Yes, they lost to both Alabama and Ole Miss, but Georgia is Georgia. Yes, they suffered injuries throughout the season, including the SEC Championship game, but Georgia is Georgia. Yes, Carson Beck threw a lot of interceptions, had some struggles at times, and suffered a bad injury against Texas…but Georgia…is GEORGIA! They were expected to win the SEC since last season, and they fulfilled their goal despite two losses and injuries. It was no great feat, but they arrived and hope they don’t need crutches to get to the National Championship.

Let’s start with their season. It was all fine and dandy for about one and a half games starting with the second half against Clemson. It looked like Georgia was going to set the SEC world on fire again. Once they ran into SEC play, all hell broke loose. Struggles mounted, worries started to seep in, and people questioned Georgia’s foundation at one point. Heck, Georgia Tech was one more overtime away from ruining Georgia’s potential playoff opportunity if they lost in the SEC title game too. So many adversities happened, and yet they overcame them and got over the hump to own Texas outright. The bye was much needed to recover most of their injured players and prepare for the National Championship run.

Kirby Smart has a plan, but he must have the Dawgs’ mindset for three straight games. This isn’t the BCS or the 4-team playoff. This is THE playoffs, but the Dawgs have enough depth to keep barking as long as they don’t suffer anymore injuries nor lose Carson Beck and Trevor Etienne to injuries.

1) OREGON (13-0)

Oregon dominated the Big Ten as expected, but no one expected them to own the conference itself outright. After adding Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma, the team pretty much had everything set on a National Championship season. The only thing that could’ve stopped them was Ohio State, but they failed clock management. Oregon stands as the favorite to run the table unless something bad happens to Gabriel (knock on wood).

Oregon had a couple of hiccups against the state of Idaho in two games and Wisconsin had them on the ropes for most of the game. Otherwise, they ran through their schedule mostly with ease. Dillon Gabriel was the perfect replacement after Bo Nix left for the NFL. Combine him with Jordan James, Noah Whittington, and Tez Johnson, and you have all sorts of problems against Oregon’s offense. They remind me a lot of Marcus Mariota’s Oregon team and it could be about the same, but maybe better. Can anyone stop the 2024 version though?

Dan Lanning did an amazing job maintaining the foundation into the Big Ten. This was a welcoming site for the program and the conference took it all in. Oregon’s slated to make the National Championship and win it all. The last time they went to the playoffs was the first annual playoff season when Marcus Mariota led those Ducks to a National Championship appearance. Dillon Gabriel is now the second Polynesian quarterback to lead them to the playoffs. It’s possible that history can repeat, but they potentially win the whole thing this time. Just wait until they make a room in honor of Gabriel soon and what that could do for the Polynesian quarterback recruits!