The College Football Playoff landscape was shaken up on Saturday as the top three teams fell to low-ranked contenders, and three of the top 15 also lost.
The SEC was the largest conference to take over. No. 7 Alabama, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 15 Texas A&M losses to unranked teams. No. 5 Indiana, which had been writing a Cinderella horror story, completely wrapped up when it went up against No. 2 Ohio State.
So, the question was: Who were the key teams in the College Football Playoff? The only answer would be No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks had an off weekend and are already vying for a spot in the Big Ten Conference Championship.
Another 11 places looked up for grabs.
Which teams went home the winners, and which teams went home the losers? Let’s break it down here.
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The winners
Florida defensive end Bryce Thornton intercepts a pass in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Arizona State: How about those of the Heavenly Star? Head coach Kenny Dillingham has Arizona State sitting atop the Big 12 conference, but they control their own destiny after beating BYU on Saturday in the final minute of play. The biggest takeaway is that with Colorado losing, this sets up the final big weekend in the conference, and Arizona State is one of the winning teams in the running for the title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Tennessee: Yes, the Vols beat UTEP on Saturday in what was not a football game. But that’s what’s happening around them in the SEC that now has Tennessee in the prime of the playoff spot. With Ole Miss and Alabama both upset on Saturday, the way has been cleared for Josh Heupel’s team to clinch a playoff berth next weekend against Vanderbilt. Just when you thought things couldn’t go their way, the Vols are in for a treat.
In Florida: Since the school said head coach Billy Napier will stay next season, the Gators have done something they haven’t done since 2003: Beat an unranked opponent for the second straight game. The Gators picked off Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart three times in the win, playing spoiler and dealing a heavy blow to the Rebels’ playoff hopes.
Notre Dame: Notre Dame is doing exactly what they need to do, and their stink from their loss to Northern Illinois is gone. They went to a neutral field against a rank military team and chased them out of the building. Who knows if they can hang with Oregon, Ohio State and Texas, but they are in the top five. Oh, and how cool was it to see Jeter back in the Bronx?
Nebraska: Downing Wisconsin, 44-25, finally gave Nebraska its sixth win under Matt Rhule. The midseason addition of offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen transformed the Cornhuskers’ offense.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables celebrates with fans after a college football game against Alabama in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Brent Venables: It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables. He revealed that his wife has been attacked by cancer again as the season seems to have disappeared. He finally got an upset win at Alabama. The Sooners are 6-5 this season.
The losers
In Colorado: Well, Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes blew their chance to play for the Big 12 championship. Sure, there are a few weird situations that could get them in, but a loss to Kansas all but ensures that Colorado’s run has come to an end. The only good part about the game against the Jayhawks was Travis Hunter, who looks to be a Heisman Trophy contender, in my opinion.
Ole Miss: Had the Rebels won, they would have been guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoffs. With their 24-17 loss to Florida, they now need nothing short of a miracle to win. Jaxson Dart had not thrown more than one interception in a game in the past two seasons before Saturday, when he threw three interceptions. Two of his interceptions came in the final two minutes of the game, sealing the Rebels’ streak.
Rutgers: A timeout in foul territory cost Rutgers its first win over a ranked opponent since 2009. The Scarlet Knights are tied no matter what, but it will be senior day and the program will never come back.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano looks on during the first half against Illinois, Nov. 23, 2024, in Piscataway, NJ (Photos by Vincent Carchietta-Imagn)
North Carolina: The Tar Heels were embarrassed by Boston College, and even a late touchdown didn’t make it any better after falling behind 41-7.
SEC data: Things went terribly wrong at the conference on Saturday. Ole Miss losing to Florida was thought to be the only craziness we’d see this past weekend, but Alabama decided to join the ranks of the College Football Playoff losers with a sweep by Oklahoma. Then, Texas A&M was beaten by Auburn more than four times, causing complete chaos in the conference. Georgia clinched a berth in the SEC tournament, and the winner of Texas vs. Texas A&M will face the Bulldogs in Atlanta. But what happens if the Aggies win this weekend, and then upset Georgia in Atlanta? We can only imagine.
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Fox News Digital Sports college football winners and losers are compiled by Fox News Digital Sports staff and OutKick.com staff.
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