In a busy weekend of NCAA sports, several key developments unfolded in college football and soccer that are bound to catch the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Starting with college football, the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are moving closer to their third reveal of the season, set for Tuesday, November 19. Ranking predictions have already begun as teams jockey for position in hopes of making the playoff. As of last Sunday, teams like Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss all share two losses in the SEC but vary in strength of schedule and head-to-head results. This makes it unclear how the committee will sort these teams, especially since none of them face currently ranked opponents for the remainder of the season.
The top-ranked team heading into the new week is still Oregon, which managed to hold off Wisconsin in a tight contest. Meanwhile, BYU suffered its first loss of the season, falling 17-13 to Kansas, and will likely drop from its previous No. 6 ranking. This will raise questions about how the committee weighs BYU’s past victories over ranked teams like SMU and Kansas State.
In addition to football, results from DI women’s soccer and DII football selections also emerged, showcasing the diverse talent across NCAA sports. The semifinals in DI field hockey are officially set, adding further excitement to the upcoming events.
Last week saw five ranked teams outside of the top 15 lose, which means the committee has a greater chance to introduce new teams into the rankings. This week’s decisions could potentially shape the matchups heading into the playoffs, influencing teams’ postseason aspirations. Overall, it’s an exciting time as we move deeper into the season and every game counts.
