CFP Chaos! Miami & FSU Collide? Playoff Picture Gets WILD!
Week 4 of college football brought some serious shakeups to the potential College Football Playoff (CFP) picture! Bowl projections are buzzing, especially around the ACC, where Miami and Florida State are on a potential collision course that could dramatically alter the CFP landscape.
ACC Showdown Looms
Miami's dominance in the trenches combined with Florida State's explosive offense has created a thrilling early-season title race within the ACC. If Florida State defeats Virginia next week, get ready for a Sunshine State showdown on October 4th! It could be a top-five matchup between ranked squads, the first of its kind since 2016.
Meanwhile, Clemson's decline and Georgia Tech's unexpected rise add even more intrigue to the conference standings. The Yellow Jackets have a favorable schedule, missing both Miami and Florida State during the regular season.
Texas Tech Rising
Texas Tech is making waves after a dominant 34-10 victory over previously ranked Utah. Backup quarterback Will Hammond stepped up in the second half, throwing for 169 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 61 yards after Behren Morton's injury. This performance has propelled the Red Raiders into early Big 12 favorite status in the College Football Playoff race.
Despite overcoming 14 penalties and two turnovers, Texas Tech controlled the game, particularly in the fourth quarter, outscoring Utah 24-7. Looking ahead, the Red Raiders have a favorable schedule, avoiding any currently ranked Big 12 teams in the AP Poll, potentially paving the way for a playoff appearance.
Other Teams to Watch
Clemson's struggles have led to them being removed from some playoff projections. Notre Dame's losses to Miami and Texas A&M also hurt their chances. Ohio State is looking strong, with a standout quarterback in Julian Sayin. And keep an eye on Carson Beck, who's thriving after transferring from Georgia to Miami.
Early CFP Projections:
- Ohio State vs. Winner (8/9)
- Miami vs. Winner (7/10)
- LSU vs. Winner (6/11)
- Penn State vs. Winner (5/12)
- Georgia vs. South Florida