2024 College Football Playoff Rankings Shake-Up: Alabama, Indiana, and Ole Miss Tumble After Tough Losses
The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are out, and boy, did last weekend’s chaos leave its mark! Tuesday night’s release of the latest rankings brought some major shake-ups, with Indiana, Alabama, and Ole Miss all taking significant hits after tough losses. Meanwhile, BYU, Texas A&M, and Colorado also stumbled, leaving fans and analysts buzzing about what’s next as we head into a pivotal rivalry week.
Let’s start with the big movers. Indiana, once riding high, has now dropped to No. 10. Alabama, a perennial powerhouse, finds itself at No. 13, while Ole Miss slides to No. 14. These rankings reflect the brutal nature of college football, where one bad weekend can send even the best teams tumbling down the ladder.
Who’s Leading the Pack?
At the top of the rankings, it’s business as usual for the heavyweights. No. 2 Ohio State (+260) remains the betting favorite to win the national championship. The Buckeyes are followed closely by No. 1 Oregon (+375) and No. 7 Georgia (+375). Rounding out the top four is No. 3 Texas (+450), while No. 5 Notre Dame sits at 15-1 odds, and No. 4 Penn State is at 18-1.
It’s clear that the oddsmakers have faith in these top teams, but with rivalry week looming, anything can happen. The stakes couldn’t be higher as these programs fight to secure their spots in the playoff.
Rivalry Week: What’s at Stake?
This weekend is shaping up to be a blockbuster, with several marquee matchups that could shake up the rankings even further. Here’s what’s on the line:
- Ohio State vs. Michigan: The Buckeyes host their bitter rivals in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown. Can Ohio State hold onto its No. 2 spot?
- Oregon vs. Washington: The Ducks are heavy favorites at home, but Washington will be looking to play spoiler.
- Texas vs. Texas A&M: The Longhorns face a tough road test against No. 20 Texas A&M. A win here could solidify Texas’ playoff hopes.
- Georgia vs. Georgia Tech: The Bulldogs host a 7-4 Georgia Tech team that already boasts a big win over No. 6 Miami. Could another upset be in the cards?
- Notre Dame vs. USC: The Fighting Irish head to Los Angeles to take on a 6-5 USC squad. A win would keep Notre Dame in the playoff conversation.
With so much on the line, this weekend’s games are must-watch for any college football fan. The drama, the rivalries, and the playoff implications make this one of the most exciting weeks of the season.
Odds Breakdown
For those keeping track, here are the odds for each team in the CFP top 25 to make the playoff, win a conference championship, and ultimately take home the national championship. These odds are accurate as of the latest update, but for the most current numbers, check out ESPN BET.
Even with three losses, Alabama is still 40-1 to win the national championship. That’s a testament to the respect oddsmakers have for Nick Saban’s program, even in a down year. Meanwhile, teams like Oregon, Ohio State, and Texas remain the favorites, but as we’ve seen, nothing is guaranteed in college football.
What’s Next?
As we head into Week 14, the playoff picture is far from settled. Rivalry week will undoubtedly bring more surprises, and the CFP rankings could look very different this time next week. For now, fans can only sit back, watch, and hope their team comes out on top in this critical stretch of the season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the college football season reaches its thrilling conclusion. With so much at stake, the next few weeks promise to deliver all the drama and excitement that make this sport so special.
Originally Written by: Brian Bahr
