It’s that time of the year. No, not Thanksgiving. It’s the end of the regular season for college football teams nationwide. There have been upsets, big wins, historic losses and chaos all over the nation over the past month. And, now, there’s one more week to decide who plays in conference championship games—and, ultimately, the College Football Playoff.
Rivalry games are on tap for a holiday weekend. There are spots up for grabs all over the place for games of greater significance. One game is arguably the biggest in an old rivalry that hasn’t been played in more than a decade.
Texas and Texas A&M haven’t played each other since 2011. The winner of their matchup gets to play Georgia in the SEC championship game. Because of course. Welcome to the world of conference realignment.
Here’s the new AP Poll for college football, and what each team has at stake in the coming weeks.
1. Oregon (11–0, Big Ten)
Oregon, the only remaining undefeated team in the poll, has effectively clinched a playoff berth. If they can get through the Big Ten championship game without a loss, they’ll be the No. 1 overall seed in the playoff as they are in this week’s poll.2. Ohio State (10–1, Big Ten)
Ohio State has every right to claim the No. 2 spot. They have one loss—to Oregon—and have now defeated two other top-five teams in Penn State and Indiana. This team largely came back to beat Michigan, and they’ll get their chance in The Game this weekend.3. Texas (10–1, SEC)
Texas is the only remaining one-loss team in a crazy SEC. That loss was to Georgia at home. They’ll look to avoid suffering their second defeat this weekend in a tough matchup at Texas A&M. Rivalry games with big implications are fun.4. Penn State (10–1, Big Ten)
Penn State sits at No. 4 in the poll after barely escaping Minnesota. They have only Maryland left on their schedule, so a playoff berth looks pretty secure.5. Notre Dame (10–1, Independent)
Notre Dame is in a great spot to be an independent crashing the playoff party. Their dominant win over a previously undefeated Army team last weekend is a strong victory, but might not help them as much as their win at Texas A&M earlier in the season. They need to avoid a hiccup at USC this weekend.
Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) celebrates with Kansas wide receiver Lawrence Arnold (2) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a Nov. 23 game in Kansas City, Mo. Charlie Riedel/AP Photo
6. Georgia (9–2, SEC)
By virtue of their win at Texas earlier in the season, Georgia is the only team that has already clinched a spot in the SEC championship game; yes, Texas still needs a win this weekend for a rematch. Georgia’s two losses being to teams that now have three losses—Alabama and Ole Miss—means they’ll need to beat Georgia Tech and win the conference championship game to feel good about their spot in the playoff.7. Tennessee (9–2, SEC)
Tennessee plays at Vanderbilt in a game that suddenly has enormous playoff implications, and the Commodores have already thrown a wrench into a few other playoff plans this season. The Volunteers are in a great spot to make the playoff even without an SEC championship game appearance if they win Saturday.8. Miami (Fla.) (10–1, ACC)
Miami should be able to get past Syracuse and play for a playoff berth. They have only one loss, but their schedule isn’t loaded with tremendous opponents so they’ll need to remain at just the one blemish. They need to win to get into the ACC championship game.9. SMU (10–1, ACC)
SMU, not Miami, has already clinched a spot in the ACC championship game. The other spot is up for grabs between Clemson and Miami. But SMU will need to avoid the trap game hosting Cal in Dallas this weekend if they want a shot at the playoff.10. Indiana (10–1, Big Ten)
The big question after the Hoosiers’ loss at Ohio State last weekend is if their schedule does enough for them to get into the playoff. They have only one loss, but their best win came at home against Michigan. And hosting Purdue to close their regular season won’t help their strength of schedule at all.11. Boise State (10–1, Mountain West)
Right now, Boise State could be the fourth team with a bye in the playoff because they’re one of the highest-ranked teams that could win a conference championship. A Friday matinee against Oregon State presents a test. Their only loss was by three at Oregon.12. Clemson (9–2, ACC)
Clemson needs some help to get into the ACC championship game this weekend, but they need to focus on their game against a ranked South Carolina team. With teams piling up losses in the Big 12 and SEC recently, they have an outside shot of getting into the playoff with two losses.13. Alabama (8–3, SEC)
An ugly loss at Oklahoma should close the books on Alabama’s playoff hopes. It cost them six spots in the poll. They have just one game left on their regular season slate at home against Auburn this weekend.14. Arizona State (9–2, Big 12)
The Sun Devils are hot and climbing. They’ve won back-to-back games against ranked opponents at Kansas State and last weekend over BYU, giving them three wins over then-ranked opponents this season. They’ll get a rivalry game with Arizona on Saturday afternoon.15. Mississippi (8–3, SEC)
Another SEC team that lost over the weekend and watched their playoff dreams evaporate. Ole Miss went to Florida and came home with not only a loss, but a six-spot slide in the poll.
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) is consoled by offensive lineman Diego Pounds after throwing an interception late in the second half against Florida in Gainesville, Fla., on Nov. 23. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo
