That might have been the most exciting college football Saturday in the last five years.
Am I a prisoner of the moment? Perhaps. But the final weekend of CFB’s regular season delivered from start to finish.
Saturday was 14 straight hours of spectacular content, carnage and near carnage. Ohio State finally lost to its rival. Alabama, somehow, escaped defeat against Auburn. Ed Orgeron went out with a bang against Texas A&M. And Oklahoma State conquered Oklahoma in a memorable Bedlam.
As we head into conference championships, the rankings have never been more fluid. Here’s where we stand on the cusp of the College Football Playoff being finalized.
Please note that all CFB odds and lines are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 29.
50. Northern Illinois (8-4) ⬇️ 4
The Huskies fell to Western Michigan in the regular-season finale, which puts a halt to some momentum. Northern Illinois can gain it right back with a win over Kent State in the MAC Championship Game.
49. Boise State (7-5) ⬇️ 5
48. UAB (8-4) Last Week Unranked
47. Kansas State (7-5) ⬇️ 9
46. East Carolina (7-5) ⬇️ 7
45. Oregon State (7-5) ⬇️ 4
The Beavers fell to rival Oregon 38-29, and they check in at 7-5. Head coach Jonathan Smith has done a nice job with this program, and he was just awarded a new six-year contract extension for his efforts. Well deserved.
44. Army (8-3) ⬆️ 3
43. Nevada (8-4) ⬆️ 7
42. Western Kentucky (8-4) ⬆️ 6
41. Arizona State (8-4) ⬆️ 1
40. SMU (8-4) ⬇️ 8
The Mustangs lost to Tulsa on Saturday, and one can’t help but wonder if Sonny Dykes‘ departure for TCU had anything to do with it. After a strong start, SMU lost four of its last five games.
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39. Utah State (9-3) ⬆️ 4
38. Air Force (9-3) ⬆️ 2
37. Tennessee (7-5) ⬇️ 1
36. Penn State (7-5) ⬇️ 6
35. Mississippi State (7-5) ⬇️ 6
Well, the Egg Bowl was ugly. Missed opportunities and poor play plagued Mississippi State against its rival. It was an up-and-down regular season for the Rebels, and they head into bowl season both dangerous and flawed.
34. Minnesota (8-4) ⬆️ 3
33. Coastal Carolina (10-2) ⬆️ 2
32. UCLA (8-4) ⬆️ 1
31. Fresno State (9-3) ⬆️ 3
30. Washington State (7-5) ⬆️ 15
With a win over rival Washington, Washington State closed out the regular season with six wins in eight games. The two losses came to BYU and Oregon. Not bad. Jake Dickert, who took over during the season as head coach, was officially named the head coach moving forward on Sunday. He was superb.
29. Purdue (8-4) ⬆️ 2
28. Wisconsin (8-4) ⬇️ 10
27. Appalachian State (10-2) ↔️
26. Texas A&M (8-4) ⬇️ 10
25. UTSA (11-1) ⬇️ 12
Well, that took a turn. And not for the better. The unbeaten Roadrunners were clobbered by North Texas on Saturday, which was UTSA’s first loss of the year. It will now play Western Kentucky in the Conference USA Championship Game.
24. North Carolina State (9-3) ⬆️ 4
It took some late heroics, but NC State was able to upend North Carolina thanks in part to a successful onside kick. QB Devin Leary was superb, throwing for four touchdowns. The Wolfpack closed out the regular season with nine wins, and now we’ll see which team they draw in a bowl.
23. Kentucky (9-3) ⬆️ 3
The Wildcats blasted rival Louisville 52-21 to earn their ninth win. As they await a bowl assignment, I am curious to see where Mark Stoops is coaching next year. He’s done a superb job this season, and I would love to see what he could do with more resources. LSU or Oklahoma, perhaps?
22. Arkansas (8-4) ⬆️ 3
The Hogs completed their regular season with a 34-17 win over Missouri. At 8-4, despite having a brutal schedule, Arkansas has momentum heading into the bowl season. Head coach Sam Pittman has done a tremendous job.
21. Clemson (9-3) ⬆️ 3
It was a strange season for the Tigers, although it’s hard to argue with the finish. With the 30-0 win over South Carolina, Clemson closed out the year with seven wins in eight games. The three losses? Georgia, Pittsburgh and NC State. It looked rough early, but the year has come together.
Despite a slow start, Dabo Swinney led the Clemson Tigers to a successful 9-3 season. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
20. Pittsburgh (10-2) ⬆️ 3
How close was Pitt to an unbeaten regular season? Seven points. With a win over Syracuse, the Panthers closed out a 10-win regular season with a three-point loss and a four-point loss. Kenny Pickett will likely get Heisman consideration, and he can elevate that consideration with a big performance over Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game.
19. San Diego State (11-1) ⬆️ 3
Brady Hoke, slimmed down and reinvented, has guided the Aztecs to an 11-win season. San Diego State’s win over Boise State came despite falling behind 16-3. Don’t sleep on the Mountain West Championship Game between the Aztecs and Utah State.
18. Louisiana (11-1) ⬆️ 2
The Ragin’ Cajuns edged out ULM to win their eleventh consecutive game. They will now draw App State in a fascinating Sun Belt Conference Championship Game. Billy Napier is set to coach that game before officially leaving for Florida.
17. Wake Forest (10-2) ⬆️ 4
The Demon Deacons destroyed Boston College in the regular-season finale, and they will now play Pitt for the ACC title. If you like offense, and I am certain you do, that will be a game you absolutely must watch.
16. Iowa (10-2) ⬆️ 3
Thanks to Nebraska’s latest meltdown, the Hawkeyes’ heroics and Minnesota’s takedown of Wisconsin, Iowa is Big Ten Championship bound. It hasn’t always been pretty for Kirk Ferentz, but it has been effective. Iowa draws Michigan for a spot in the Rose Bowl.
15. Houston (11-1) ↔️
Looking for some CFP chaos? Look no further than Houston. The Cougars will get a crack at Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game with a spot in the playoff likely hanging in the balance. It’s been a special year for the Cougars and Dana Holgorsen regardless of the outcome.
14. BYU (10-2) ↔️
With BYU’s win over USC, the Cougars finished the season 5-0 against the Pac-12. With the regular season complete, BYU will wait for its bowl assignment. Considering star QB Zach Wilson left for the NFL last offseason, a 10-win season is a pretty spectacular encore.
13. Utah (9-3) ⬆️ 4
The Utes ran past Colorado, and running back Tavion Thomas is on a roll. He’s scored 12 touchdowns in the past four games, which is good news for Utah as it prepares for the Pac-12 Championship Game. The opponent? Oregon. Just a few weeks ago, Utah mauled the Ducks at home.
12. Oklahoma(10-2) ⬇️ 1
I thought the Sooners played a solid game against Oklahoma State in Bedlam, although a loss is a loss. And speaking of losses, Lincoln Riley is headed to USC. These are critical weeks for Oklahoma as it attempts to reset. Stay tuned.
11. Michigan State (10-2) ⬆️ 1
With Mel Tucker‘s historic 10-year contract extension official, Sparty won a snowy game against Penn State to get to 10 wins. The Spartans finish a superb and unexpected regular season with 10 wins, and we’ll now wait and see what team they draw in a bowl.
10. Oregon (10-2) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +20000 at Caesars
After being blown out by Utah, Oregon bounced back nicely at home against Oregon State. The Ducks will now have a chance to get revenge from that loss in a rematch against Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Although the playoff is not possible, the Rose Bowl would be a nice fallback.
9. Baylor (10-2) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +15000 at Caesars
It wasn’t pretty for Baylor on Saturday. In fact, the Bears were in a position to lose outright to Texas Tech until the very end. Regardless of the close call, Baylor will get a crack at Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game and. The playoff is out of reach, although it’s been a heck of a season.
8. Ohio State (10-2) ⬇️ 6
- National Championship Odds: +6000 at Caesars
The Buckeyes fell to their rivals, and the loss puts a massive dent in their College Football Playoff hopes. Quarterback C.J. Stroud played largely well once again, although the defense did not. Ohio State’s regular season is complete. Now, we wait.
7. Ole Miss (10-2) ⬆️ 1
- National Championship Odds: N/A
The Rebels conquered rival Mississippi State on the road in the weather to win 10 games for the first time ever. With the regular season complete, the question now is pretty simple. With so much coaching movement, is Lane Kiffin staying put?
6. Notre Dame (11-1) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +2500 at Caesars
The Irish mauled Stanford to move to 11-1. That’s the good news. The bad news, or perhaps it isn’t, is that Notre Dame is out of games this season. At 11-1, and without a place in the conference title weekend, Notre Dame must hope that the right teams lose to make the CFP.
5. Oklahoma State (11-1) ⬆️ 2
- National Championship Odds: +1400 at Caesars
The Pokes beat rival Oklahoma at home, which should be celebrated considering how infrequently it’s happened. With a playoff spot still up in the balance, Oklahoma State could make things weird with a win over Baylor next week. Heck, win and they’re probably in.
4. Alabama (11-1) ⬇️ 1
- National Championship Odds: +600 at Caesars
The offense looked broken. QB Bryce Young struggled and Alabama looked very mortal. Still, the Crimson Tide won a wild game against Auburn in OT. No need for much thought beyond that. Alabama plays Georgia next week for a spot in the playoff. Win and they’re in; lose and they’re likely out.
3. Cincinnati (12-0) ⬆️ 1
- National Championship Odds: +1800 at Caesars
As carnage hits many teams near the top of the rankings, Cincinnati keeps taking care of business. The Bearcats’ 35-13 win over East Carolina puts them in a prime position to make the playoff. Beat Houston, and they’re likely to make history.
2. Michigan (11-1) ⬆️ 3
- National Championship Odds: +1000 at Caesars
What a win. Jim Harbaugh has waited more than six years for that kind of performance, and the Wolverines were dominant on the offensive and defensive line against rival Ohio State. All that stands between UM and the playoff is the Big Ten Championship Game win over Iowa.
1. Georgia (12-0) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: -220 at Caesars
The Bulldogs completed a dominant regular season with a 45-0 win over “rival” Georgia Tech. With Ohio State’s loss and Alabama’s un-Alabama-like showing in the Iron Bowl, this is looking more and more like Georgia’s year. The Bulldogs are in the playoff, regardless of what happens against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
Thanks for reading our CFB Week 14 Power Rankings! For more CFB betting tips, check out our CFB Conference Championship Predictions.
