The Big 12 has taken a wrecking ball to its College Football Playoff positioning after two of the league's three unbeatens went down on Saturday, with Utah climbing through the rubble as its current leader. Our updated bowl and CFP projections reflect that carnage, with BYU and Texas Tech absorbing losses that complicate an already crowded race for at-large hopefuls. With the addition of the San Juan Bowl, there are now 84 teams needed to fill every matchup this postseason, which includes the CFP.
The final month of the campaign is approaching, and our predictions are coming into focus with the CFP Selection Committee's first set of rankings set to release on Nov. 3. There's a major shakeup in the latest projections, including several teams falling out of the CFP bracket. Projection: Jackson State vs.
South Carolina State Projection: Florida State vs. Georgia State The Seminoles continue to fight for Mike Norvell despite job pressure you can almost feel it's so intense. After last week's disputed loss at Miami ended on a controversial Hail Mary that was ruled an interception, Florida State used its open date to focus on fixing defense issues before its home bout with Clemson on Halloween in Tallahassee.
Win that one and the Seminoles move to 4-4 overall, needing two more wins to reach bowl eligibility. Projection: Western Michigan vs. Appalachian State Courtesy of four field goals from James London, including the game-winner in overtime, the Mountaineers took out previously unbeaten JMU on Thursday night for the biggest win in the Sun Belt this season.
That opens a direct path to the CFP for Boise State in the Group of Six discussion, one that includes a handful of others. With a win next week against Boston College, the Blue Devils are bowl-eligible — and that's notable given a November slate that includes Miami, Clemson and Wake Forest the final three weeks of the campaign. Duke's 19-16 win at Virginia on Friday night came via running back Nate Sheppard's 28-yard touchdown toss to Brody Keefe on a trick play double pass with 1:14 left.
Projection: West Virginia vs. California Projection: James Madison vs. Jacksonville State So much for the Group of Six's most direct path to the playoff.
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