With the 2024 CFP approaching, we take a dive into who is looking at a playoff spot, and who has a chance to actually bring home the championship trophy.
Espen- Oregon: Simply put, Oregon is the most dominant team in college football. With big wins over Ohio State and Boise State, Oregon has proven they can win and at an elite level. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is looking like the best quarterback in all of college football, throwing for 341 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State. He currently leads the Big Ten in passing yards, and touchdowns. Oregon has an easy schedule to the Big Ten championship game, where they will likely reface Ohio State. Oregon is pretty much a lock to make the playoffs, and have the best shot of anyone to win the whole thing.
CONTENDER GRADE: A+
Espen- Ohio State: Ohio State has proven to be one of college football’s most competitive teams. A win over Penn State gives Ohio State a huge victory that will help them get into the 12 team playoff. Their only loss is to the number one team in the country, Oregon. An electric offense led by running back duo Treveyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins and a stingy defense will be tough to stop entering the playoffs. The question is if Ryan Day has what it takes to finally bring a championship back to Columbus.
CONTENDER GRADE: A
Espen- Georgia: Georgia has been one of the most dominant football teams in over the past five years, winning the NCAA championship two of the past three years. So far, Georgia has proven to be back in the championship mix. Georgia had an early loss to Alabama, however the game went down to the wire. Georgia has racked up big wins over teams like Texas and Clemson. Their defense has been elite, rattling Texas star quarterback Quinn Ewers, holding him and the Texas offense to 15 points and 4 turnovers. Georgia still has big games left on their schedule, especially a matchup with number 7 Tennessee on November 16. However Georgia currently looks like the heavy favorite to win the SEC.
Contender Grade: A
Arnav- Miami: This Cam Ward-led Miami offense has given defenses trouble in the past week. They are just one of very few teams who are still undefeated this season, and it’s looking like it could very well remain that way in the last three games of the season. Miami will finish their season with Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Syracuse, all easily-beatable teams. They are projected to win all of these games. Miami is a lock for a playoff spot, and might even move up a spot or two in these final few weeks of regular season college football.
CONTENDER GRADE: B+
Espen- Texas: Texas has cruised to a 7-1 record, stomping on every team in their path besides Georgia. Quinn Ewers has been the leader that Texas expected to have this season. My only concern with Texas is their inability to win big games. Texas, who was once the number one team in the country, has had a schedule that has been extremely easy. In their only loss to Georgia, Texas looked disoriented. A November 30th matchup against Texas A&M could easily sneak up on Texas, and games against Kentucky and Florida won’t be easy wins. The ceiling for Texas is very high, as last season they were one of the four best teams in the country, however they do have a floor that sees them out of the playoff race.
CONTENDER GRADE: B
ARNAV- Penn State: Despite a recent loss to Ohio State, the Nittany Lions are still nearly a guarantee for the playoffs. They sit at 6th in the nation, with a 7-1 record, and the rest of the season is only getting easier for them. In their final four games of the season, the Lions take on practical nobodies, with all the teams being closer to the bottom of the Big Ten Conference. Allar has proven to be a threat toward poor defensive play so Penn State should have an easy road to the playoffs.
CONTENDER GRADE: B
Bubble teams:
Arnav- Tennessee: Despite being a “bubble team” this Tennessee team has still been very good. Their only loss on the season was to Arkansas, which was an extreme upset. Other than that, The Volunteers have won a lot of games in blowouts or two possession games. Their biggest victory was over Alabama, who are also in the top 12 in AP rankings. Their 38.1 points per game shows just how efficient their offense has been, giving them the 12th most points per game in college football. Tennessee is a team that, despite one big upset loss, should have a clenched playoff spot.
Arnav- Indiana: The Hoosiers are yet to lose this season, with a perfect 9-0 record. They have a good shot of making the playoffs, with a current AP rank of #8, but also have a bumpy road ahead of them. Two of the teams are very manageable wins, being against a Michigan team that has underperformed this year, and Purdue, who has a record of 1-7, the worst in the Big Ten. Indiana’s biggest problem will come on the road against Ohio State. This game alone could decide if they make the playoffs, if they lose it could bounce them out, and if they win it could push them into a better spot. Indiana’s schedule could mess up their playoff chances.
CONTENDER GRADE: B
Arnav- BYU: If the season were to end today, the Cougars would be in the playoffs, with a first round bye. In my opinion it’s without question that this team will make the playoffs. Their final few games of the season are undoubtedly easy wins, as they play three unranked, mediocre teams. The question now is if they even deserve it. I don’t think so. This is a team that has played just two ranked teams in the whole season, and although they are undefeated, we haven’t seen them play any true competition. Technically with the whole new playoff format BYU would be the #4 seed since they are in playoff contention and the top of their conference, but in reality they aren’t a true threat to any teams.
CONTENDER GRADE: C
Espen- Notre Dame: Notre Dame has been a very up and down team in 2024. They have won games by 59 points, but they have also put up a loss to a very bad Northern Illinois team. Notre Dame, currently number 12, will have the advantage of not having to play in a championship game. Their season will come down to a matchup against number 18 Army on November 23rd. If they win that game, and win out then Notre Dame will make the playoff. If they lose it, Notre Dame won’t provide big enough wins to enter the 12-team playoff. If Notre Dame wants to make a run in the playoffs, their offense will have to match the intensity of their top-tier defense to take down the best teams college football provides.
CONTENDER GRADE: C+
Espen- Alabama: Alabama is one of the biggest question marks entering the postseason. They already have two losses, and a third will likely knock them out of the playoff race. However Alabama took down top 5 team Georgia, proving they can hang with the best in the country. Jalen Milroe is still one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football, and Alabama can beat anybody that they face. If Alabama can beat number 15 LSU, then they should get a ticket to the playoffs as one of the lower seeds, and be a dark horse to make a big run.
CONTENDER GRADE: B-
Arnav- Boise State: The Broncos have had a surprisingly good season, 7-1 to this point. Their only loss has came from #1 Oregon, which even then was a close fight, with the final score being 37-34. The majority of their games have been blowouts. Something that has helped keep Boise State in the top 25 is their easy schedule, since their conference in general is pretty poor. However, the Broncos have a serious Heisman contender on their team that can help them make the playoffs. Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty has the most all purpose yards this season, and is having arguably one of the best running back seasons we’ve seen in a long time. Since they’re sitting at the edge of a playoff spot, it’ll be hard for the Broncos to stay in contention, but as long as they can win out in the rest of the regular season they should hold their position and sneak into the playoffs.
CONTENDER GRADE: A-
