College Football Playoff Predictions: Arizona State, Miami in; Ole Miss, Colorado out

How unpredictable was the 2024 faculty soccer season?

Kansas has a kind of data that tells you blatant lies in your face. We knew the Jayhawks had been good. That’s why they had been ranked among the many high 25 groups within the nation earlier this season by each me and the Associated Press. So whereas KU turned the primary group ever with a shedding report within the FBS to win three straight video games in opposition to high 25 packages, few had been shocked that Lance Leipold’s group achieved this feat. It was much more surprising that this group solely began to search out its type after the midway level of the season. Kansas might have simply been a projected CFP choice like Arizona State now could be, even after a 3-9 2023 season.

But that is how unpredictable this 12 months has been and the way expectations of what a group can accomplish stay risky, even with the postseason only a week away. Colorado, a group that went 4-8 final 12 months and misplaced to unranked Kansas final week, can nonetheless make the CFP. Indiana, a group that had received simply 9 video games within the earlier three years mixed, is one win away from securing the primary 11-win season in program historical past. And sure, the Hoosiers could make the CFP.

And now it is rivalry week: the ultimate week of an everyday season that noticed all however one group endure a loss. Unlikely upheavals have been a typical theme and essentially the most thrilling characteristic of 2024. I would not be stunned to search out my projections endure from this volatility at the very least another time.

That mentioned, listed below are my up to date CFP projections:

1. Oregon
Conference: Big Ten
Documentation: 11-0

2. Texas
Conference: SEC
Documentation: 10-1

3. SMU
Conference: ACC
Documentation: 10-1

4. State of Arizona
Conference: Big 12
Documentation: 9-2

5. Ohio State
Conference: Big Ten
Documentation: 9-1

6. Our Lady
Conference: Independent
Documentation: 10-1

7. Pen State
Conference: Big Ten
Documentation: 10-1

8. Indiana
Conference: Big Ten
Documentation: 10-1

9. Georgia
Conference: SEC
Documentation: 9-2

10. Miami (Florida)
Conference: ACC
Documentation: 10-1

11. Tennessee
Conference: SEC
Documentation: 9-2

12. Boise State
Conference: West Mountain
Documentation: 10-1

QUARTER-FINALS MATCHES

1.Oregon: Bye (the winner of 8. Indiana in opposition to 9. Georgia would then play)

2. Texas: Bye (the winner of seven. Penn State in opposition to 10. Miami would then play)

3. SMEs: Bye (the winner of 6. Notre Dame vs. 11. Tennessee would then play)

4. Arizona State: Bye (the winner of 5. Ohio State vs. 12. Boise State would then play)

FIRST ROUND MATCHES

5. Ohio State vs 12. Boise State

As Ashton Jeanty continues to maneuver towards surpassing Barry Sanders’ single-season speeding report — needing simply 566 speeding yards — a date with an Ohio State group might grow to be an explosive deal.

The Buckeye protection has confirmed stingy, holding groups to simply 241.7 yards per recreation this season, however no group has confirmed able to stopping Jeanty.

Boise State operating again Ashton Jeanty has helped lead the Broncos to a 10-1 report this season. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

6. Notre Dame vs. 11. Tennessee

Each program boasts an distinctive queue. Notre Dame operating again Jeremiyah Love has run for 850 yards at 7.0 yards per carry this season, whereas Tennessee operating again Dylan Sampson has run for 1,307 yards with 22 touchdowns in 11 video games. The final time the Vols performed Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish received 41-21 in 2005.

Notre Dame sits at 10-1 heading into the ultimate week of the common season. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

7. Penn State vs. 10. Miami

Cam Ward and the Hurricanes would deliver their high-powered offense to Happy Valley in opposition to Penn State’s succesful protection. The Hurricanes have the No. 1 scoring offense within the nation (44.7 factors per recreation), whereas the Nittany Lions rank No. 11 in scoring protection (14.6 factors per recreation).

Cam Ward and the Miami Hurricanes signify the highest-scoring offense within the nation. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

8. Indiana vs. 9. Georgia

In what often is the surest check of the Big Ten’s mettle in opposition to SEC powerhouse Georgia, this recreation might assist set a brand new commonplace not just for how the Big Ten needs to be seen sooner or later, but in addition for the ‘Indiana. Hoosier followers would not have anticipated to play within the CFP in August.

Georgia QB Carson Beck threw for 3,132 yards and 23 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

RJ Young is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports and host of “The Number One College Football Show” podcast. Follow him to @RJ_Young.

(Want nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter day by day.)

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports expertise

College soccer

Get extra from College Football Follow your favorites to get info on video games, information and extra