Miami and Texas Tech are still in the Playoff mix, but the road ahead is much more murky for both programs. Carmen Mandato / Getty Images
Welcome to my College Football Playoff projections, which are a weekly feature through season’s end. I will update and adjust them each week after each Saturday’s results. Austin Mock will have his computer-based projections, which will differ greatly from my opinion-based selections.
In this week’s version of “As the Playoff Turns,” we’re starting to get some SEC separation, the Big 12 has been shaken up and the ACC was turned upside down with a monumental upset. Let’s start with the ACC.
Miami’s surprising loss to Louisville on Friday doesn’t keep the Hurricanes out of the CFP bracket, but it does mean they need help to reach the ACC championship game. Georgia Tech, Virginia and SMU are all unbeaten in ACC play, and none of them play each other. Miami plays only SMU from that group. The Hurricanes are still in the field, as is Georgia Tech.
The Big 12 includes a shocker with No. 7 Texas Tech falling to Arizona State. BYU pulled out a rivalry win against Utah to stay unbeaten. They square off Nov. 8 in Lubbock for the first of perhaps two meetings. Despite the loss, Texas Tech still looks like the Big 12’s best team.
LSU and Tennessee are out of CFP consideration — for now — after losses to Vanderbilt and Alabama. The Tide continue to make Week 1’s loss to Florida State look like an aberration, which secures them a first-round bye.
Finally, Notre Dame’s 10-point win against USC pushes the Irish back into the CFP. USF looks like the nation’s top Group of 5 squad, especially after Memphis’ shocking loss to UAB.
Oct 19, 2025
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle