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ESPN provided an update to its College Football Playoff rankings projections following a wild Rivalry Week that saw multiple ranked teams fall in upset fashion.
Thus, there was plenty of shakeup, although the top spot remained the same as it has for much of this season. Oregon, following its 49-21 win over rivals Washington, has been labeled a “lock” for the playoff by ESPN’s Heather Dinich, added that the Ducks would secure the No. 1 overall seed with a win over Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Following Oregon is Texas, who jumped Ohio State following its 17-7 win over Texas A&M on Saturday night. The Buckeyes plummeted to the No. 6 spot, right in fringe territory of hosting a first round matchup.
Penn State is at No. 3, benefitting as well from Ohio State’s loss, and they edge Notre Dame in the rankings thanks to a superior strength of record. Georgia is safely in the No. 5 spot and appears to be a lock for the playoff no matter how the SEC title game plays out, while Tennessee is also comfortably in the field at No. 7 will wait and see if it hosts a first-round matchup.
ACC-favorite SMU comes in at No. 8, while Indiana jumps up to No. 9 and will likely need help to host a first-round game. Boise State is No. 10 in the rankings, although as the fourth-highest ranked conference champion, the Broncos would move up to No. 4 in the bracket.
Miami (11) and Alabama (12) round out the rankings as 2 teams that are on the proverbial bubble. Dinich seeded Ole Miss, South Carolina, Arizona State and Iowa State after the Crimson Tide in that order.
Current Missouri student entering my third year of covering Tiger football and basketball. Contributor to The Transfer Portal CFB and overall college athletics enthusiast.
