Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter might have the 2024 Heisman Trophy locked up by now, or at least Fox Sports broadcaster Gus Johnson thinks he should.
After Hunter caught an absolutely astonishing pass in double coverage against visiting Utah on Saturday, Johnson didn’t hide his feelings on how he felt about the catch and the player who pulled it down.
“Travis Hunter! Give him the Heisman now!” Johnson exclaimed to cheers from the home crowd.
Hunter won’t necessarily waltz away with college football’s most prestigious individual award.
However, the wideout/cornerback has the best chance of any non-quarterback to win it since 2020 and former Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith.
"OH WHAT A CATCH! TRAVIS HUNTER! GIVE HIM THE HEISMAN NOW!" – Gus Johnson after a ridiculous Travis Hunter leaping catch in traffic đ đ„đïž pic.twitter.com/AUfWBHNBfp
The loser should have to cook ribs for the winner.
Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee, are two southern cities separated by about 245 miles with many similarities. Among them is a knack for making some damn good barbecue.
So, when the football teams from the University of Memphis and the University of Alabama at Birmingham meet on the gridiron, thereâs a trophy up for grabs. The rivalry exists not only because the two schools are near each other geographically, but also because of the shared history of the cities.
The football rivalry went on an 11-year pause when Memphis joined the Big East â which became the American Athletic Conference â and UAB briefly stopped playing football in the mid-2010s. But UAB is back, albeit under aseemingly-soon-to-be-fired Trent Dilfer, and is back in the same conference as its rival.
How the ACC will figure out who’s in the conference title game if there are ties in the standings.
The ACC got a bit bigger this year thanks to chaotic conference realignment nationwide and added Cal, Stanford and SMU to the mix for a total of 17 teams.
With the additions, the conference eliminated the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, so that coupled with the number of teams and not being able to play every squad in the conference, ties in the ACC standings at the end of the regular season are possible. And that could complicate how the two teams in the conference title game are determined.
While conference titles alone are important, there are also College Football Playoff implications on the line because the four highest-ranked conference champs get top seeds and first-round byes.
Here’s a look at the ACC football tiebreaker rules in 2024, should we need them.
ACC football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Kevin Ruinard/USA TODAY Network
The 2024 ACC football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and the top-2 teams will face off. But without the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, how will the conference determine which teams play for a title if there is a tie?
If there is a two-team tie in the ACC standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to break it, per ACC tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head competition between the two tied teams
2. Win percentage versus all common opponents
3. Win percentage versus common opponents based upon their order of finish (overall conference win-percentage, with ties broken) and proceeding through other common opponents based upon their order of finish
4. Combined win percentage of conference opponents
5. The tied team with the higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics following the conclusion of regular season games
6. The representative shall be chosen by a draw as administered by the commissioner or commissionerâs designee
In a two-way tie for first, the team with the highest win percentage (outright or via tiebreaker rules) will be the top seed.
If there is at least a multi-team tie in the ACC at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to figure out the single winner of the tiebreak. After the first team is selected from the multi-way tiebreak, the tiebreaker process resets:
1. Combined head-to-head win percentage among the tied teams if all tied teams are common opponents
2. If all the tied teams are not common opponents, the tied team that defeated each of the other tied teams. If all the tied teams are not common opponents, no tied team defeated each of the other tied teams, but a tied team lost to each of the other tied teams, such team shall be eliminated and removed from the tie
3. Win percentage versus all common opponents
4. Win percentage versus common opponents based upon their order of finish (overall conference win percentage, with ties broken) and proceeding through other common opponents based upon their order of finish
5. Combined win percentage of conference opponents
6. The tied team with the highest ranking by the Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics following the conclusion of regular season games
7. The representative shall be chosen by a draw as administered by the commissioner or commissionerâs designee
How the Big Ten will figure out who’s in the conference title game if there are ties in the standings.
The Big Ten is a very big conference nowadays with 18 teams and no divisions, following chaotic conference realignment nationwide with the additions of Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA.
Obviously, all these teams can’t play everyone in the conference in a single season, and without the East and West divisions, it may be challenging to figure out which two teams will play in the Big Ten championship game if there are ties at the top of the standings at the end of the regular season.
While conference titles alone are important, there are also College Football Playoff implications on the line because the four highest-ranked conference champs get top seeds and first-round byes.
Here’s a look at the Big Ten football tiebreaker rules in 2024, should we need them.
Big Ten football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 2024 Big Ten football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the top-2 teams will face off. But without the East and West divisions (RIP Legends and Leaders), how will the conference determine which teams play for a title if there is a tie?
If there is a two-team tie in the Big Ten standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will use these considerations to break it, per Big Ten tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head game winner
2. Win percentage among common conference opponents
3. The records of the two tied teams will be compared based on record against common opponents with the best conference record and proceeding through the common conference opponents based on their order of finish within the conference standings
4. The records of the two tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents
5. The representative will be chosen by the by the highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the regular season
6. Random draw among the tied teams conducted by commissioner or designee
If there’s a two-way tie for first in the Big Ten and the tied teams previously played each other, the winner of that game is the top seed. If the tied teams didn’t previously play each other, the two-way tiebreaker rules apply.
If there is at least a multi-team tie in the Big Ten at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to figure out the single winner of the tiebreak. But if it’s a tie after the single tiebreak winner is selected, the Big Ten will use these factors to break it. And if the tie is reduced to two teams, the two-team tiebreaker rules apply.
1. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage in games among the tied teams:
1A. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other, but one team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, the team that defeated all other teams in the tie is removed from the tiebreaker, and the remaining teams revert to the beginning of the applicable tiebreaker process (i.e., two team or three or more team tie)
1B. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other and no team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, move to the next step in tiebreaker
2. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage against all common conference opponents played by all other teams involved in the tie
3. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings in order of finish
4. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents:
4A. In the event of an unbalanced schedule (i.e., less than nine conference games are played), the records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents, regardless of how many conference opponents each team played. If winning percentage is equal for all conference opponents, move to next step in tiebreaker
5. The representative will be chosen by the by the highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the regular season
6. Random draw among the tied teams conducted by commissioner or designee
How the Big 12 will figure out who’s in the conference title game if there are ties in the standings.
The Big 12 Conference looks a bit different this year 16 total teams, following chaotic conference realignment nationwide with the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah this year.
But obviously, teams can’t play everyone in the conference in a single season, and that opens the door for possible ties in the Big 12 standings at the end of the regular season, complicating how the two teams in the conference championship game are determined. While conference titles alone are important, there are also College Football Playoff implications on the line because the four highest-ranked conference champs get top seeds and first-round byes.
Here’s a look at the Big 12 football tiebreaker rules in 2024, should we need them.
Big 12 football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 Big 12 football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at noon ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the conference’s top-2 teams will play. But if there’s a tie, how will the Big 12 break it to determine which teams will play for a conference title?
If there is a two-team tie in the Big 12 standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will look at these factors to break it, per Big 12 tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head competition among the two tied teams
2. Win percentage against all common conference opponents among the tied teams
3. Win percentage against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings (based on the record in all games played within the Conference), proceeding through the standings. When arriving at another group of tied teams while comparing records, use each teamâs win percentage against the collective tied teams as a group (prior to that groupâs own tie-breaking procedure) rather than the performance against individual tied teams
4. Combined win percentage in conference games of conference opponents (i.e., the strength of conference schedule)
5. Total number of wins in a 12-game season. The following conditions will apply to the calculation of the total number of wins: Only one win against a team from the NCAA FCS or lower division will be counted annually. Any games that are exempted from counting against the annual maximum number of football contests per NCAA rules
6. Highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the last weekend of regular-season games
7. Coin toss
If there’s a two-way tie for first and the tied teams previously played each other, the winner of that game is the top seed. If the tied teams didn’t previously play each other, the two-way tiebreaker rules apply.
If there is a multi-team tie in the Big 12 at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider the following factors to figure out the single winner of the tiebreak. But if there is still a multi-way tie after the first team is selected from the tiebreak, the Big 12 will use these factors to break the tie, and when two teams are left tied, the two-team tiebreaker rules apply.
1. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage in games among the tied teams:
1A. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other, but one team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, the team that defeated all other teams in the tie is removed from the tiebreaker, and the remaining teams revert to the beginning of the applicable tiebreaker process (i.e., two team or three or more team tie)
1B. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other and no team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, move to the next step in tiebreaker
2. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage against all common conference opponents played by all other teams involved in the tie
3. Record of the three (or more) tied teams against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings (based on the record in all games played within the conference), proceeding through the standings. When arriving at another group of tied teams while comparing records, use each teamâs win percentage against the collective tied teams as a group (prior to that groupâs own tie-breaking procedure) rather than the performance against individual tied teams
4. Record of the three (or more) tied teams based on combined win percentage in conference games of conference opponents (i.e., strength of conference schedule)
5. Total number of wins in a 12-game season. The following conditions will apply to the calculation of the total number of wins: Only one win against a team from the NCAA FCS or lower division will be counted annually. Any games that are exempted from counting against the annual maximum number of football contests per NCAA rules
6. Highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the last weekend of regular-season games
How the SEC will figure out who’s in the conference title game if there are ties in the standings.
The SEC now has 16 teams after adding Texas and Oklahoma to the mix this year following chaotic conference realignment nationwide. And with a conference that large and no East and West divisions anymore, ties in the standings at the end of the regular season are increasingly likely, especially when most conferences no longer have divisions and everyone can’t play each other.
So when the regular season ends and we look to conference championship weekend, it may be challenging to figure out which two teams will play in it if there are ties at the top of the standings. While conference titles alone are important, there are also College Football Playoff implications on the line because the four highest-ranked conference champs get top seeds and first-round byes.
Here’s a look at the SEC football tiebreaker rules in 2024, should we need them.
SEC football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 SEC football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the conference’s top two teams will face off. But without the East and West divisions, how will the conference determine which teams play for a title if there is a tie?
If there is a two-team tie in the SEC standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to break it, per SEC tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head competition among the tied teams
2. Record versus all common conference opponents among tied teams
3. Record against highest (best) placed common conference opponent in the conference standings, and proceeding through the conference standings among the tied teams
4. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams
5. Higher relative total scoring margin per SportSource Analytics versus all conference opponents among tied teams
6. Random draw of the tied teams
If two teams are tied for first in the SEC standings, they’ll play in the title game, and the tiebreaker steps above will decide seeding.
If there is a multi-team tie in the SEC standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will look at these considerations to identify the first team in the title game. After the first team is identified, the process reverts back to the two-team tiebreaker rules.
1. Head-to-head competition among tied teams
2. Record versus all common conference opponents among tied teams
3. Record against highest (best) placed common conference opponent, proceeding through the conference standings among tied teams
4. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams
5. Higher relative total scoring margin per SportSource Analytics versus all conference opponents among the tied teams
How the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC will figure out who plays in their respective conference title games if there are ties at the top of the standings.
Some FBS conferences eliminated divisions as they added or lost teams, and now the Sun Belt Conference is the lone one with two divisions. So that means, for example, determining who plays in the SEC championship game no longer boils down to who wins the East or West divisions. Instead, it’s all about the top-2 finishers in the regular-season standings.
So who gets to play in their respective conference title games when the four highest-ranked conference champs get a top College Football Playoff seed and first-round bye? What are the tiebreaker rules for the Power Four conferences in 2024?
It’s a lot to keep track of, so we’re here to help.
ACC football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The 2024 ACC football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and the top-2 teams will face off. But without the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, how will the conference determine which teams play for a title if there is a tie?
If there is a two-team tie in the ACC standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to break it, per ACC tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head competition between the two tied teams
2. Win-percentage versus all common opponents
3. Win-percentage versus common opponents based upon their order of finish (overall conference win-percentage, with ties broken) and proceeding through other common opponents based upon their order of finish
4. Combined win-percentage of conference opponents
5. The tied team with the higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics following the conclusion of regular season games
6. The representative shall be chosen by a draw as administered by the commissioner or commissionerâs designee
In a two-way tie for first, the team with the highest win percentage (outright or via tiebreaker rules) will be the top seed.
Kevin Ruinard/USA TODAY Network
If there is at least a multi-team tie in the ACC at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to figure out the single winner of the tiebreak. After the first team is selected from the multi-way tiebreak, the tiebreaker process resets:
1. Combined head-to-head win-percentage among the tied teams if all tied teams are common opponents
2. If all the tied teams are not common opponents, the tied team that defeated each of the other tied teams. If all the tied teams are not common opponents, no tied team defeated each of the other tied teams, but a tied team lost to each of the other tied teams, such team shall be eliminated and removed from the tie
3. Win-percentage versus all common opponents
4. Win-percentage versus common opponents based upon their order of finish (overall conference win-percentage, with ties broken) and proceeding through other common opponents based upon their order of finish
5. Combined win-percentage of conference opponents
6. The tied team with the highest ranking by the Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics following the conclusion of regular season games
7. The representative shall be chosen by a draw as administered by the commissioner or commissionerâs designee
Big Ten football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 2024 Big Ten football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the top-2 teams will face off. But without the East and West divisions (RIP Legends and Leaders), how will the conference determine which teams play for a title if there is a tie?
If there is a two-team tie in the Big Ten standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will use these considerations to break it, per Big Ten tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head game winner
2. Win percentage among common conference opponents
3. The records of the two tied teams will be compared based on record against common opponents with the best conference record and proceeding through the common conference opponents based on their order of finish within the conference standings
4. The records of the two tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents
5. The representative will be chosen by the by the highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the regular season
6. Random draw among the tied teams conducted by commissioner or designee
If there’s a two-way tie for first in the Big Ten and the tied teams previously played each other, the winner of that game is the top seed. If the tied teams didn’t previously play each other, the two-way tiebreaker rules apply.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
If there is at least a multi-team tie in the Big Ten at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to figure out the single winner of the tiebreak. But if it’s a tie after the single tiebreak winner is selected, the Big Ten will use these factors to break it. And if the tie is reduced to two teams, the two-team tiebreaker rules apply.
1. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage in games among the tied teams:
1A. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other, but one team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, the team that defeated all other teams in the tie is removed from the tiebreaker, and the remaining teams revert to the beginning of the applicable tiebreaker process (i.e., two team or three or more team tie)
1B. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other and no team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, move to the next step in tiebreaker
2. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage against all common conference opponents played by all other teams involved in the tie
3. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings in order of finish
4. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents:
4A. In the event of an unbalanced schedule (i.e., less than nine conference games are played), the records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents, regardless of how many conference opponents each team played. If winning percentage is equal for all conference opponents, move to next step in tiebreaker
5. The representative will be chosen by the by the highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the regular season
6. Random draw among the tied teams conducted by commissioner or designee
Big 12 football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 Big 12 football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at noon ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the conference’s top-2 teams will play. But if there’s a tie, how will the Big 12 break it to determine which teams will play for a conference title?
If there is a two-team tie in the Big 12 standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will look at these factors to break it, per Big 12 tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head competition among the two tied teams
2. Win percentage against all common conference opponents among the tied teams
3. Win percentage against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings (based on the record in all games played within the Conference), proceeding through the standings. When arriving at another group of tied teams while comparing records, use each teamâs win percentage against the collective tied teams as a group (prior to that groupâs own tie-breaking procedure) rather than the performance against individual tied teams
4. Combined win percentage in conference games of conference opponents (i.e., the strength of conference schedule)
5. Total number of wins in a 12-game season. The following conditions will apply to the calculation of the total number of wins: Only one win against a team from the NCAA FCS or lower division will be counted annually. Any games that are exempted from counting against the annual maximum number of football contests per NCAA rules
6. Highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the last weekend of regular-season games
7. Coin toss
If there’s a two-way tie for first and the tied teams previously played each other, the winner of that game is the top seed. If the tied teams didn’t previously play each other, the two-way tiebreaker rules apply.
Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman
If there is a multi-team tie in the Big 12 at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider the following factors to figure out the single winner of the tiebreak. But if there is still a multi-way tie after the first team is selected from the tiebreak, the Big 12 will use these factors to break the tie, and when two teams are left tied, the two-team tiebreaker rules apply.
1. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage in games among the tied teams:
1A. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other, but one team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, the team that defeated all other teams in the tie is removed from the tiebreaker, and the remaining teams revert to the beginning of the applicable tiebreaker process (i.e., two team or three or more team tie)
1B. If all teams involved in the tie did not play each other and no team defeated all other teams involved in the tie, move to the next step in tiebreaker
2. The records of the three (or more) tied teams will be compared based on winning percentage against all common conference opponents played by all other teams involved in the tie
3. Record of the three (or more) tied teams against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings (based on the record in all games played within the conference), proceeding through the standings. When arriving at another group of tied teams while comparing records, use each teamâs win percentage against the collective tied teams as a group (prior to that groupâs own tie-breaking procedure) rather than the performance against individual tied teams
4. Record of the three (or more) tied teams based on combined win percentage in conference games of conference opponents (i.e., strength of conference schedule)
5. Total number of wins in a 12-game season. The following conditions will apply to the calculation of the total number of wins: Only one win against a team from the NCAA FCS or lower division will be counted annually. Any games that are exempted from counting against the annual maximum number of football contests per NCAA rules
6. Highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the last weekend of regular-season games
7. Coin toss
SEC football championship game tiebreaker rules in 2024
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 SEC football championship game is set for Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the conference’s top two teams will face off. But without the East and West divisions, how will the conference determine which teams play for a title if there is a tie?
If there is a two-team tie in the SEC standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will consider these factors to break it, per SEC tiebreaker rules:
1. Head-to-head competition among the tied teams
2. Record versus all common conference opponents among tied teams
3. Record against highest (best) placed common conference opponent in the conference standings, and proceeding through the conference standings among the tied teams
4. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams
5. Higher relative total scoring margin per SportSource Analytics versus all conference opponents among tied teams
6. Random draw of the tied teams
If two teams are tied for first in the SEC standings, they’ll play in the title game, and the tiebreaker steps above will decide seeding.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
If there is a multi-team tie in the SEC standings at the end of the regular season, the conference will look at these considerations to identify the first team in the title game. After the first team is identified, the process reverts back to the two-team tiebreaker rules.
1. Head-to-head competition among tied teams
2. Record versus all common conference opponents among tied teams
3. Record against highest (best) placed common conference opponent, proceeding through the conference standings among tied teams
4. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams
5. Higher relative total scoring margin per SportSource Analytics versus all conference opponents among the tied teams
Where is GameDay in Week 12 of 2024? Here’s the answer.
If youâre a college football fan, of course you’re aware that every Saturday morning is a big deal: that’s because you’re sitting down to watch ESPNâs College GameDay as you get ready for that dayâs games.
If youâre here, youâre probably wondering: Where is GameDay this week in 2024?
With Week 12 kicking off on Saturday, the show will be in Athens, Georgia for Tennessee and Georgia , a matchup of two top-12 teams — The Bulldogs are No. 12 in the nation and the Volunteers are No. 7.
Enjoy!
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Here are other questions we can answer:
Will Lee Corso be at College GameDay on Saturday?
We’re not sure yet.
Who will be the guest picker this week on College GameDay?
Cody Rhodes!
The American Nightmare đ€ College GameDay Guest PickerâŒïž@WWE Superstar and Georgia fan @CodyRhodes is our guest picker in Athens this weekend! pic.twitter.com/PN1Qupj5jH
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Of course, Kiffin was fired from his USC job in 2013 soon after those comments and then joined Nick Saban and Alabama as that team’s offensive coordinator. The rest is history, leading up to Kiffin’s Ole Miss upsetting Georgia this past Saturday.
Kiffin once again credited that chain of events to Finebaum, who of course isn’t the main reason Kiffin got fired at USC but probably didn’t help matters with his pointed, public commentary.
“I wouldn’t have been here to have the Georgia win if you wouldn’t have got me fired at USC,” Kiffin told Finebaum, who laughed at the comment. “Again, I’m grateful to you, Paul. Thanks for that day. Thanks for the Miley Cyrus comment.”
Both seemed to be in good spirits during the moment, and it looks like they’ve mostly buried the hatchet over one of the more infamous disses in recent college football history.
You can still detect a little salt from Kiffin, but this is probably as amicable as it’s going to get between these two.
Indiana still can’t get much respect from the playoff committee
The second College Football Playoff rankings dropped on Tuesday night with Oregon retaining its status as the No. 1 team in the country ahead of No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Texas.
Yet the playoff picture suddenly feels a lot less clear than it did a week ago following Week 11 losses from Miami (Fla.) and Georgia.
Letâs walk through some of the biggest winners and losers from the second rankings.
A reminder: the top four power conference winners and the highest-ranked Group of 5 teams are all guaranteed a spot. The final seven seeds are essentially decided by the committee.
Winner: Colorado
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
A week after the committee seemingly told the Big 12 it was only getting one team in the playoff, here comes the Buffaloes to challenge the narrative. Up three spots to No. 17 in this weekâs rankings, Colorado controls its own destiny with remaining games against Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State. None of those are cakewalks, but the Buffs will be favored in each matchup.
If both Colorado and BYU are undefeated heading into the Big 12 championship game, would the committee favor a one-loss conference runner-up over a two-loss SEC or Big Ten team?
Let’s hope we find get to out.
Loser: Indiana
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
If you thought the disrespect for Indiana was bad last week when the committee ranked the Hoosiers No. 9, what can you say about what the committee did this week to the 10-0 Hoosiers? The committee moved IU up to No. 5 in the rankings, but that means theyâd be facing No. 10 Alabama in the first round of the playoff.
Will that end up happening? Probably not, but thatâs a rough draw even in theory. Especially when you see a pair of one-loss teams in Penn State and Ohio State are ranked ahead of Indiana.
No. 2 Ohio State would currently draw a home game against No. 12 Boise State. Thankfully the Buckeyes and Hoosiers will meet on November 23 to settle this once and for all.
Winner: Mizzou
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz was mocked a bit for talking about the Tigers keeping their playoff chances alive, but uh, he wasn’t exactly wrong. Clocking in at No. 23, Mizzou technically has a chance to get into the field of 12.
That in itself is worth celebrating after nearly blowing its season at home against a dilapidated Oklahoma team. Anyone who moves up in the rankings after a game like that deserves a pat on the back.
Loser: Georgia
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
If a two-loss SEC team is getting left out, it sure seems like No. 12 Georgia is the best candidate.
Despite the fact the Bulldogs still have to play Tennessee and Georgia Tech, even winning out might not be enough to keep them in the playoff considering they’re on the outside now. The Group of Five requirement is keeping No. 13 Boise State in the playoff and the Bulldogs the first team out.
The Bulldogs need three dominant wins just to have chance at pleading its case to the committee at the end of the season.
Winner: Ole Miss
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
A week ago the Rebels were just hanging on the playoff picture. Now Lane Kiffin’s program is up to No. 11 and has arguably the best path through the bracket.
As it stands, Ole Miss would travel to No. 6 Penn State in the first round, where the toughest aspect may be the home field advantage. The Rebels have the No. 2 offense in the country while Penn State ranks No. 22. The winner of that game would face No. 3 BYU â and a Cougars offense that ranks No. 56 in the FBS â on neural ground.
If you’re Ole Miss, you take your chances with an offense like the Rebels’ and a matchup like those.
