The recent reshuffling in college football conferences has sparked worries regarding the dominance of two super conferences in the playoff landscape. These concerns were partially validated as well as countered. The Big Ten stood out as the clear winner, surpassing even the Southeastern Conference on that competitive day. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) also managed to make significant moves.
Leading the playoff field with four teams, the Big Ten showcased Oregon as the top seed with an impressive record of 13-0, coming from the recent Pac-12 departure. Following Oregon, the SEC made its impression with notable teams but faced an unexpected twist. SMU, the runner-up for the ACC, earned a spot in the playoffs over the historically dominant Alabama, marking a challenging beginning for Kalen DeBoer in his initial year following Nick Saban’s legacy of success. This situation was further complicated by the fact that Rhett Lashlee, the head coach of SMU, had previously served as the offensive coordinator at Auburn, a rival institution.
In the Big Ten bracket, the conference also secured positions for several other teams, including No. 6 seed Penn State (11-2), No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2), and No. 10 seed Indiana (11-1). The SEC, on the other hand, also showcased its strength with teams like No. 2 seed Georgia (11-2), No. 5 seed Texas (11-2), and No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2). However, the ACC proved it could deliver more than just a single strong contender.
Clemson, finishing the season with a 10-3 record, claimed the final playoff spot as the No. 12 seed following their 34-31 victory in the title game over SMU (11-2), which successfully made an impression on the selection committee, allowing them to overshadow the Crimson Tide. This win reinforced the notion that the ACC was not to be underestimated in terms of competitiveness within Power Five leagues.
The Big 12, however, found itself on the outside looking in, allowing only its champion, Arizona State (11-2), to advance. The team secured the No. 4 seed overall, despite a lower overall ranking of No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The SEC also faced some disappointments, leaving teams like Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi outside the playoff picture.
In other developments, Boise State emerged as the Mountain West Conference champion with a 12-1 record, earning a No. 3 seed and a bye in the first round. Notre Dame, an independent team with an 11-1 record, landed the No. 7 seed and was denied a bye despite ranking fifth in the final standings, but they will be hosting a first-round game against Indiana, adding a layer of excitement to the playoffs.
