As we enter November, the 2024 college football season has been filled with many great moments as we approach the end of the regular season. This week, we get our first look at the College Football Playoff rankings, where 12 teams would know what they need to do to earn a spot in this newly expanded playoff. A loss at this point of the season would prove costly for many teams in the top 25. With this crucial stretch of games set for this weekend, let’s preview week 11.
LSU vs Alabama
Alabama versus LSU is always one of the biggest games of the college football season. These two programs have given us some of the greatest games in college football history, but this year‘s matchup might have higher implications as both teams already have two losses on the season. According to the latest AP polls, if the season were to end today, Alabama would be the 11th seed and LSU would miss out on the playoff, being ranked 14th. Entering this week, both teams are still in contention to make the conference championship game, with LSU having only one conference loss so far and Alabama having two conference losses. With both teams having two losses on the season, a third loss could significantly dent either team's playoff hopes.
Georgia vs Ole Miss
Georgia is number one in the SEC standings and is ranked second behind Oregon in the AP polls. The Bulldogs are coming off a rivalry win in Jacksonville over the Florida Gators despite Carson Beck having three interceptions. The Preseason Heisman contender has thrown seven interceptions across the last three games. Despite this, Georgia has been able to handle opposition outside of the lone loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Bulldogs have wins over Texas and Clemson already this season and most would say they control their destiny. Ole Miss, with a record of 7-2, is in the same predicament as Alabama and LSU regarding playoff implications. This is a must-win game for Lane Kiffin as the two losses on Ole Miss’s record, with the first being an upset loss to Kentucky and an overtime loss to another playoff contender in LSU. Having entered this week ranked 16th, a loss now would all but end their College Football Playoff and SEC Championship hopes.
Texas Tech vs Colorado
Not many people would’ve thought that in year two of the Dion Sanders experience in Boulder, Colorado, a team that was 1-10 two seasons ago would now be in the thick of the Big 12 Championship race and potentially a playoff spot. Colorado, entering this week 6-2, is now second in the Big 12, with Iowa State suffering their first season loss last week to Colorado opponents this week, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders upset Iowa State last week 23-22, with a game-sealing touchdown by Tahj Brooks in the final seconds. With the win last week, Tech is now one game behind second-place Colorado in the Big 12, setting up this crucial week 11 matchup for both teams as a conference title might be their only shot at the playoff when comparing their resumes to others.
コメント