Imagine a college football world where undefeated giants clash only within their own massive alliances, leaving fans hungry for the ultimate showdown—yet the College Football Playoff race is heating up in unexpected ways, and you won't believe who's poised to dominate!
As we hit the midpoint of the college football season, each of the Power Four conferences boasts two undefeated teams, with a total of 11 unbeaten squads across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Picture this: the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten, and Southeastern Conference (SEC) all have their top dogs intact, but none of these perfect records will face off against each other during the regular season. Thanks to these oversized leagues, it's tougher than ever to crown a true national champion, as the College Football Playoff (CFP)—the tournament that decides the top four teams who play for glory—relies on conference titles and rankings to sort things out. For beginners, think of it like a playoff system in other sports, but with 130-plus teams vying for just four spots, making every win and loss feel monumental.
But here's where it gets controversial—could these expanded conferences be sabotaging the excitement of real cross-conference rivalries? What we've gleaned from Week 7 about the CFP chase is the rise of 'inside tracks,' where teams within their own leagues are setting up dream scenarios. And this is the part most people miss: certain conferences are practically praying for specific outcomes to boost their playoff chances. Let's dive into the Big Ten, where the drama is unfolding fastest.
Buckeyes and Hoosiers on a Collision Course
Indiana has roared back into the CFP conversation, but this time, the narrative feels different after their 30-20 triumph over Oregon. Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza captured it perfectly: 'It shows the country that the IU football team, it’s a real team. We’re not just a one-hit wonder.' Pair that with their lopsided 53-point drubbing of Illinois a couple of weeks ago, and Indiana should dodge those pesky strength-of-schedule critiques that haunted them last year. (For newcomers, strength of schedule refers to how tough a team's opponents are, which can sway rankings and playoff selections.)
Looking ahead, Indiana's remaining games have shaped up favorably. Who could've predicted that a home match against UCLA in a couple of weeks would be their biggest challenge in the season's second act? With five Big Ten teams already 0-3 in league play, the Hoosiers face four of them, much like top-ranked Ohio State. Both squads had circled games against Penn State in November, but now Happy Valley looks grim after their struggles. Sure, upsets are par for the course in college football—where 18- to 22-year-old players can turn any game unpredictable—but the Big Ten might need a miracle to sidestep an Indiana-Ohio State title clash, with both teams likely locking in CFP berths by December 6 in Indianapolis.
Ohio State holds a 99% shot at the CFP per Austin Mock's latest projections, while Indiana sits at a solid 82%. This scenario could spark debate: is it fair for conferences to benefit from weaker schedules, potentially inflating their playoff hopes? Fans might argue it's strategic scheduling at play, rewarding well-managed programs.
The intrigue deepens with teams chasing Ohio State (6-0 overall, 3-0 in conference) and Indiana (6-0, 3-0). USC (5-1) delivered a statement win, crushing Michigan 31-13 at the Coliseum to go 3-1 in the Big Ten. Coach Lincoln Riley beamed: 'Several years ago, (this is) kind of what we all dreamed this would be. Coliseum lit up, two iconic programs going at it. Trojans coming off the field with the victory and the place totally on fire.'
USC boasts the league's most thrilling back-end schedule. They'll either punch their ticket to the Playoff (at 22% odds) or block others, starting next week at Notre Dame (4-2). The Irish, despite a 0-2 start, have since dominated. After a bye, USC travels to Nebraska (5-1, 2-1), where a potential high-stakes matchup looms—think of it as evoking the old-school rivalries from the 1970s, full of that nostalgic rock concert energy from bands like the Rolling Stones. Nebraska, slated for a November tilt with Penn State that's now in doubt, is at 8% for the CFP after defeating Maryland. Meanwhile, USC's trip to Oregon—reunited as Big Ten foes after Pac-12 days—could be pivotal, though Washington might contest Oregon's schedule.
Yellow Jackets and Hurricanes Rising in the ACC
The ACC mirrors this pattern with Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC) and Miami (5-0, 1-0) eyeing an unbeaten path to the conference championship. Given the ACC's near-miss as a single-bid league in last year's expanded 12-team CFP, this setup would be a boon for their playoff prospects.
Miami's hurdles include a home game against Louisville (4-1, 1-1) this Friday, plus road trips to SMU (4-2, 2-0) and resurgent Pittsburgh. They should handle the rest as favorites. Georgia Tech faces Duke (4-2, 3-0 ACC) next, then Pittsburgh, and ends with a rivalry against SEC's Georgia. It's less clear-cut than the Big Ten: Virginia (5-1, 3-0 ACC—excluding a nonconference loss to NC State) remains in contention without playing Miami or Georgia Tech, and Duke could upend them both.
For the ACC's sake, ideally Miami stays strong while another contender surges without toppling the others. This could fuel controversy: are conference title games more about avoiding eliminations than showcasing the best?
Rebels and Aggies Battling Through SEC Chaos
Texas A&M and Ole Miss both stand 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the SEC, theoretically aiming for a 12-0 run to Atlanta. But reality bites. Even with manageable conference foes, pitfalls abound. Ole Miss, after a sluggish win over Washington State, visits Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC) next, then Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1). Texas A&M, fresh off beating Florida, has road tests at LSU (5-1, 2-1), Missouri (5-1, 1-1), and Texas (4-2, 2-1).
The SEC's crown is crowded: nine teams at 6-0 or 5-1, plus Texas rebounding with a 23-6 win over Oklahoma. There's scant separation atop the pack, making predictions a gamble. Beginners, note how SEC teams' schedules often include rivalries that can flip fortunes quickly, unlike more predictable leagues.
Five More Nuggets on the CFP Race
The Big 12 features two undefeateds—No. 9 Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0) and No. 18 BYU (6-0, 3-0)—but their November 8 clash in Lubbock rules out a dual-unbeaten title game. BYU, overlooked after quarterback Jake Retzlaff's departure to Tulane amid honor code issues, stayed perfect in double overtime at Arizona. Their path toughens with Utah next and at Cincinnati (5-1 overall, 3-0 Big 12).
Texas Tech's 84% CFP odds (third-best) could still see the Big 12 relegated to one bid amid its even parity.
Despite losing to Indiana, Oregon (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) retains 78% odds for back-to-back CFP bids. Their slate: Rutgers, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, USC, and Washington.
In the American Conference, USF unleashed 63 points on North Texas, with a key upcoming trip to Memphis.
Scratch Old Dominion from Group of Five playoff fringes after their season-opening scare of Indiana and win over Virginia Tech—they fell hard to Marshall.
As the season unfolds, debates rage: Do massive conferences dilute rivalries, or do they create more opportunities for upsets and drama? Is strength of schedule overrated in an era of CFP projections? And what if a 'weak' schedule actually rewards smart coaching? Share your thoughts below—do you agree these matchups are inevitable, or should we rethink how playoffs are structured? Let's discuss!
