We expected the race for a 12-team playoff to come alive in the last four to three weeks. There were doubters about the move from four teams, but it could be for the better. The Week 11 game between Alabama and LSU on two losses would not have mattered in previous years. Now, we are getting more meaningful football in more games.
2024 College Football Playoff Predictions after Week 11
Two of my predicted conference champions from last week's predictions were lost in week 11. How far would they tumble down the rankings?
Rank | Team | Why are they here | Previous rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ohio State | Big Ten Champion | 1 |
2 | Texas | SEC Champion | 6 |
3 | BYU | Big 12 Champion | 4 |
4 | Miami | ACC Champion | 3 |
5 | Oregon | At-large | 5 |
6 | Penn State | At-large | 7 |
7 | Tennessee | At-large | 8 |
8 | Indiana | At-large | 9 |
9 | Notre Dame | At-large | 10 |
10 | Alabama | At-large | 11 |
11 | Ole Miss | At-large | N/A |
12 | Boise State | At-large | 12 |
Georgia slips out of the playoff picture, but will they be back?
The big result of Week 11 was Ole Miss keeping its playoff hopes alive with a win over my predicted SEC Champion from last week, Georgia. The Rebels' win moved them above the Bulldogs in the top 12, with Georgia slipping out. Kirby Smart's team can get back in if they win out, with their next game against No. 7 ranked Tennessee.
The other team from my playoff team from last week that lost was my predicted ACC Champion, Miami. They lost to Georgia Tech, ending their unbeaten record. Luckily for the Hurricanes, if they win out, they will still make the ACC Championship game, where they will likely face SMU or Clemson.
Alabama faced LSU in a playoff elimination game, with the Crimson Tide coming out convincingly. Despite their two losses, the win over Georgia keeps them just above water. They need to win out now to likely secure their spot.
BYU stayed unbeaten with a walk-of-field goal against rivals Utah when it looked like they were on course for a loss. Three games away from a championship game, but those games are challenging. The Big 12 is a landmine, and any one of several teams could win the conference.
Teams have two or three games left before the end of the regular season. A loss now can end any hopes of a playoff spot.