Current:Home > MarketsBowl projections: Texas, Alabama knock Florida State out of College Football Playoff -GrowthInsight
Bowl projections: Texas, Alabama knock Florida State out of College Football Playoff
View
Date:2025-04-16 14:09:52
It's appropriate in the final year before the College Football Playoff expands that this might be one of the biggest debates in the 10 seasons since the four-team system was adopted.
There have been two constants in the previous editions: An unbeaten team from the Power Five has always gotten in the field and the SEC champion has also been there every season.
It looks like one of those previous axioms won't be true this year. Michigan and Washington are certain to be No. 1 and No. 2, probably in that order. That leaves Alabama, Texas and Florida State fighting for the last two spots. The Crimson Tide won the SEC title Saturday in a stirring defeat of Georgia, but lost earlier this season to the Longhorns. With both teams having one loss and the propensity for the committee to weigh head-to-head results strongly, the only question is whether the Seminoles are ahead of them or behind.
Given the Seminoles have been hindered on offense without Jordan Travis, the avenue is there for the committee to justify moving them to No. 5. It's a cruel outcome, but the stated purpose of selecting the field is to get the four best teams in and it's hard to look past the harsh reality that Florida State likely won't be competitive if selected.
The idea of leaving Alabama out after knocking off a team that is the two-time defending champion and had been No. 1 for the past three weeks in the playoff rankings also looms large. Selecting Alabama over Florida State would be unpopular to some. But it should also make for two very compelling semifinals.
Florida State's omission also changes the outlook for the New Year's Six games. Louisville would have been slated for the Orange Bowl with the Seminoles in the field because the ACC has a team tied to the game. That extra opening should swing to Oklahoma, which was No. 12 in last week's rankings behind Mississippi but got a boost with SMU defeating Tulane in the American Athletic title game. The Sooners beat the Mustangs earlier this season — in addition to Texas, which is the best victory of any of the two-loss teams contending for a spot. The Rebels saw their victory against the Green Wave diminished and only have a win against LSU to stand on.
Notes: Some conferences may not fulfill their bowl allotment. Asterisks denote a replacement pick. James Madison and Jacksonville State are eligible due to a lack of six-win teams to fill the 82 spots. Minnesota is included as the five-win team with the highest APR. Bold indicates a team that has accepted a berth.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Trump enters South Carolina’s Republican primary looking to embarrass Haley in her home state
- What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and reading
- Senators urge Biden to end duty-free treatment for packages valued at less than $800
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- How Benny Blanco Has Helped Selena Gomez Feel Safe and Respected in a Relationship
- Checking a bag will cost you more on United Airlines, which is copying a similar move by American
- Nicholas Jordan, student charged in fatal Colorado shooting, threatened roommate over trash
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- How Benny Blanco Has Helped Selena Gomez Feel Safe and Respected in a Relationship
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- More than 100,000 biometric gun safes recalled for serious injury risk
- Dolly Parton praises Beyoncé after Texas Hold 'Em reaches No. 1 on Billboard hot country songs chart
- Man charged with killing Indianapolis police officer found guilty but mentally ill
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Here are 5 things to know about Lionel Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend documentary
- NCAA infractions committee could discipline administrators tied to violations and ID them publicly
- Score Exclusive Deals During Tory Burch's Private Sale, With Chic Finds Under $100
Recommendation
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Inside Travis Kelce's New Romantic Offseason With Taylor Swift
Have we hit celebrity overload? Plus, Miyazaki's movie magic
US investigators provide data on the helicopter crash that killed 6, including a Nigerian bank CEO
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 results: Rhea Ripley shines, WrestleMania 40 title matches set
How an eviction process became the 'ultimate stress cocktail' for one California renter
Olympic champion Suni Lee finds she's stronger than she knew after facing health issue