The College Football Playoff Picture Is Clearer Than Ever—And That’s a Problem.
We’ve hit the midway point of the college football season, and chaos—the sport’s most beloved tradition—is in short supply. A staggering 11 FBS teams remain unbeaten, with two perfect squads in each Power 4 conference. But here’s the twist: thanks to super-sized conferences and carefully crafted schedules, many of these contenders won’t face each other in the regular season. Is this progress, or are we robbing fans of the high-stakes clashes that define the sport?
Big Ten Showdown: Indiana and Ohio State Are on a Collision Course
Indiana isn’t just sneaking into the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation this year—it’s kicking down the door. After a statement 30-20 road win over Oregon, quarterback Fernando Mendoza declared, “This proves IU football isn’t a fluke. We’re here to stay.” Combine that with a 53-point demolition of Illinois, and the Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) have silenced last year’s strength-of-schedule critics.
But here’s where it gets controversial: their path to the Big Ten Championship might be the easiest in recent memory. With Penn State in free fall and four of their remaining opponents winless in conference play, Indiana’s toughest test could be a home game against UCLA. Meanwhile, No. 1 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0) faces an identical cupcake schedule. Barring a historic upset, these two could meet in Indianapolis on December 6 with CFP berths already locked up.
Wait, does this mean the Big Ten’s expansion has made the season less exciting?
The Rest of the Big Ten: USC and Nebraska Lurking as Spoilers
USC (5-1, 3-1) reignited its playoff hopes with a dominant 31-13 win over Michigan, prompting Lincoln Riley to reflect, “This is the dream we envisioned—the Coliseum electric, two bluebloods battling, and USC on top.” But the Trojans’ schedule is about to get brutal: a trip to Notre Dame, a tricky road game at Nebraska, and a late-season showdown with Oregon. They’re either crashing the playoff (22% chance) or playing spoiler.
Speaking of Nebraska (5-1, 2-1), the Cornhuskers are quietly lurking. Their dream matchup against Penn State lost its luster, but a home game against USC could become a de facto playoff eliminator. Could this really be the year Nebraska returns to relevance?
ACC Chaos: Miami and Georgia Tech Could Deliver a Dream Scenario
The ACC, often dismissed as a one-bid league, might have two undefeated teams vying for the title. Miami (5-0, 1-0) and Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0) are on a collision course, but the path isn’t smooth. The Hurricanes must survive Louisville and resurgent Pitt, while the Yellow Jackets face Duke and a season-ending grudge match against Georgia.
Here’s the debate: Is the ACC finally elite, or is its parity a sign of mediocrity?
SEC Mayhem: Ole Miss and Texas A&M Can’t Both Stay Perfect
The SEC boasts nine teams with one loss or fewer, but Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0) and Texas A&M (6-0, 3-0) are the last unbeatens. The Rebels face back-to-back road tests at Georgia and Oklahoma, while the Aggies must navigate LSU, Missouri, and Texas. Spoiler alert: no one escapes this gauntlet unscathed.
5 Burning CFP Questions After Week 7:
1. Big 12’s Dilemma: Texas Tech (6-0) and BYU (6-0) meet in November, ensuring only one survives. Is this conference doomed to be a one-bid league again?
2. Oregon’s Resilience: Despite losing to Indiana, the Ducks (5-1) still have a 78% playoff chance. Can they run the table against USC and Washington?
3. Group of 5 Drama: USF’s 63-point explosion puts them in the mix, but can Memphis derail their CFP hopes?
4. Old Dominion’s Fall: After a strong start, the Monarchs were crushed by Marshall. Is the Sun Belt out of the playoff race?
5. The Texas Factor: Arch Manning and the Longhorns (4-2) aren’t dead yet. Could they play spoiler in the SEC?
Final Thought: The playoff race is shaping up to be a tale of haves and have-nots. With so many unbeatens avoiding each other, are we headed for a watered-down championship? Or does this setup reward consistency? Sound off in the comments—do you love or hate the new era of super-conferences?
