We are here! After about 14 weeks of college football insanity and massive shifts conference standings and CFB rankings, we are finally here in Championship Week. Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss all claimed their CFP spots. While Georgia, Indiana, Ohio State are all guarantees, they along with BYU and Alabama must play their conference championship. However, BYU is at risk of being left out in a loss. I’m not so sure about Alabama, but I guess that’ll be determined on how they performed. A loss would mean they’re possibly out, but the world will watch to see if Branding avoids elimination. It doesn’t matter what happens in the Big Ten title game. Indiana and Ohio State claim 2 of the Top 3 spots outright with a debate of claiming the Top 2 altogether. As for the ACC, they’re at risk of being left out. Virginia is tasked with avoiding it with a win. Otherwise, a Duke win likely leaves the conference in shambles. Can Miami press hard for a miraculous claim as a bubble team? All of that and then some will be revealed this Sunday. This will also be my final power rankings of the season. Thank you all that took a minute to check this out. I will continue improving on this each year!

12) NORTH TEXAS (11-1)

Out of non-bias and to my dismay, congrats to coach Eric Morris for taking the Oklahoma State job. I won’t go on a tangent here. Check out my next podcast episode for all of it. As for the team, they smoked Temple and now have the best record in program history. They’re set up for an AAC title game of a lifetime. Why do I say that? A win sends them to the CFP as the highest Group of Five winner. No pressure.

11) OKLAHOMA (10-2)

The game was defensive, tricky, ugly, and probably one of the worst games I’ve watched all season. Although, the 4th quarter had plenty of drama. When OU’s offense needed it, they got it with a big play by John Mateer to 100% reliable receiver Isaiah Sategna. Defense once again made a statement in the 4th quarter and Peyton Bowen deserves the game ball for his two biggest plays at the beginning of the 1st quarter and the end of the game. Boomer Sooner, baby!!!

10) BYU (11-1)

BYU was sluggish out the gate against UCF. It wasn’t great at first, but they eventually woke up, took control, and ran away with it. Receiver Parker Kingston was impactful on offense and special teams once again. Now, they must prepare for Round 2 against Texas Tech and hope the results are better. In their first meeting, LJ Martin wasn’t 100%. Now, he’s good to go.

9) ALABAMA (10-2)

Whenever Alabama enters Jordan-Hare Stadium in the odd seasons, it’s always a crazy, iconic moment for them and Auburn. Alabama gave up a semi-comfy lead to be on the verge of not only losing to Auburn but also be eliminated from CFP contention. Instead of simply kicking the field goal, they went for it on 4th down and scored to take the lead and ultimately hold for the win. Bold move by coach Kalen DeBoer, keeping Bama’s CFP hopes afloat for a chance to win the SEC title game.

8) NOTRE DAME (10-2)

Notre Dame crushed Stanford comfortably and has an option of chilling at the Cali beaches while it’s still fresh…I guess. I’m not a meteorologist in December. Notre Dame should be in the College Football Playoff now that Miami doesn’t have a leg to stand on not playing in the ACC title game. However, hopefully Jeremiyah Love’s rib injury isn’t serious. They really need him for the postseason.

7) TEXAS A&M (11-1)

A&M had plenty of control over Texas’s offense until they didn’t. Arch Manning was unleashed along with the run game, and the Aggies couldn’t stop him. The pressure was on Marcel Reed and the offense to come through but failed to do it throwing 2 interceptions. The Longhorn defense put them in check, and now A&M’s eliminated from the SEC title game but expected to still host a playoff game…maybe.

6) OLE MISS (11-1)

The Rebels net their first 11-win regular season in program history and also tie for their most wins in one season. All that remains is the College Football Playoffs. Unfortunately, Lane Kiffin won’t be a part of it. Who knows how the team will fare without him.

5) OREGON (11-1)

Oregon had a tough one against Washington to close out their regular season. But they did, the defense played high level football along with Dante Moore closing out on a strong note. Now, they have about a month to relax, recover, and recuperate for the College Football Playoffs.

4) GEORGIA (11-1)

It wasn’t as epic as I thought, but Georgia clamped down on Georgia Tech and took away their identity by holding their rushing yards to just 69 (nice!). The score was close as expected, but Georgia grinded them out and took away any opportunity Tech had to come close to them.

3) TEXAS TECH (11-1)

Texas Tech didn’t fall victim to Morgantown’s environment. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and company took it right to them and burned them along with their couches on their way to the Big 12 title game against BYU for Round 2.

2) INDIANA (12-0)

Indiana clobbered Purdue to close out the regular season undefeated. Now, they qualify for their first ever Big Ten Championship game. If there was ever a time to be a Hoosier football fan, 2025 is the year. Now, time to see if they can win it against the Juggernaut Ohio State Buckeyes.

1) OHIO STATE (12-0)

After 4 seasons of torture and misery in the hands of Michigan, The Buckeyes exorcised their demons in Ann Arbor and broke that drought. Now, their focus is on Indiana in the Big Ten title game and the College Football Playoffs.

HONORABLE MENTION

PEYTON BOWEN

The man came up with two biggest plays for the Oklahoma victory. The endzone interception after LSU picked off Oklahoma in their first series. Then, the big stop on 4th down to seal it and likely qualify for a College Football Playoff berth.

TEXAS

To my biggest dismay and disappointment of Texas A&M, Texas played big when the moment was astronomical. They stayed with Texas despite the early struggles and eventually opened up in the 2nd half and virtually dominated the Aggies. Are they in the CFP conversation? Don’t ask this Sooner fan that. It’ll be on my podcast.

ACC CHAOS

Pitt needed a win to get in, but they failed. SMU needed a win to get in, but they also failed. Georgia Tech had a chance to get in last week, but they failed. Miami could’ve qualified for it, but they faltered mid-way through the season and let other ACC teams have a chance. All that’s left now is Virginia needing an ACC title win to get into the CFP. However, they face Duke in a rematch from earlier this season. If Duke wins, it is likely over for the ACC as a whole. A 7-5 record Duke can’t qualify for the CFP with the AAC and James Madison in-line for their respective spots.