--- title: "College Football Playoff Picture Takes Shape After Weekend Upsets" url: https://newscentral.site/college-football-playoff-picture-takes-shape-after-weekend-upsets/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-11-08T18:40:51.000Z updated: 2026-11-09T03:32:13.970Z id: 765c037c-63ed-464d-92da-3c6c6ca3689d source: "CBS Sports \n https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-picture-week-10-carnage/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/college-football-playoff-picture-takes-shape-after-weekend-upsets/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # College Football Playoff Picture Takes Shape After Weekend Upsets Several contenders now face a daunting task in the final weeks of the season, with teams needing other teams to lose for their best-case scenarios to materialize. The first weekend of November has left its mark on the College Football Playoff picture, with several contenders now facing a daunting task in the final weeks of the season. At-large resumes were put to the test over the weekend, and it's clear that surviving and advancing is not as simple as it sounds. Teams need other teams to lose for their best-case scenarios to materialize, adding an extra layer of complexity to the playoff picture. With the selection committee set to release its next rankings, the pressure is mounting on coaches to make a strong case for their teams' inclusion in the postseason. The final weeks will be crucial in determining which teams can exhale and which ones are left fighting for their lives. The selection committee has already given us some key takeaways from its first set of rankings: quality wins matter, when those games were played is significant, and conference strength metrics are now being closely monitored. Seven teams stand out as the best-positioned to secure a first-round bye if they win out: Georgia, Utah, Indiana, Miami, UCLA, Notre Dame, and Alabama. These teams are all in contention for Power Four conference champion designations, which could earn them bonus points over Notre Dame. Georgia's convincing victory at Ole Miss has put the Bulldogs on a collision course with Alabama, should both teams win their remaining games. The Crimson Tide's blowout of LSU only adds to the intrigue, as the two teams prepare to meet in Atlanta if they can navigate the final weeks without incident. The College Football Playoff picture continues to take shape as teams jockey for position in the final weeks of the regular season. Miami's chances of maintaining its number one ranking are uncertain due to the potential impact of Malachi Toney's absence on the team's performance. Notre Dame has solidified its standing as a likely CFP entry after securing a 31-24 win over Miami, which was playing without key player Malachi Toney. The Fighting Irish have significantly narrowed the gap between themselves and the top four teams in the rankings with this pivotal victory. The Big Ten Championship Game is within reach for two teams: Indiana and UCLA. The Hoosiers will host USC next weekend, while UCLA faces Illinois on Friday night. This crucial stretch of games could determine their standing in the conference standings. USC's position in the playoff picture remains precarious, but it can strengthen its at-large case over the next three games. A strong performance in these upcoming contests would significantly boost the Trojans' chances of making the CFP. Indiana and UCLA are not the only teams with a clear path to the Big Ten Championship Game. The Hoosiers' matchup against USC will be closely watched, as it could have a significant impact on their conference standing. The seven teams that appear most likely to secure spots in the 12-team bracket are still uncertain due to the unpredictable nature of college football this season. The likelihood of upsets in the remaining weeks of the regular season makes it difficult to predict which teams will ultimately make the cut. Texas is poised for a significant jump in the College Football Playoff rankings after its impressive performance this season. The Longhorns have racked up four wins against ranked teams, an achievement unmatched by any other team so far. This feat, combined with their undefeated record in ranked matchups, has Texas firmly in contention for a top-six spot. A strong case can be made for the Longhorns to move up from their current ranking of No. 7. Their performance this season has earned them recognition as one of the best teams in the country, and it is likely that they will see significant movement in the rankings on Tuesday night. Texas's chances of securing a spot in the playoff are also boosted by its nine-win target. Tennessee's victory over Kentucky was a resounding success for the Vols at home, marking their second signature win this season. Despite beating Alabama by 16 points earlier in the season, Tennessee was not initially considered part of the same "pod" as the Crimson Tide according to CFP selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek. However, Saturday night's dominant performance against Kentucky is likely to narrow the gap between the Vols and Alabama in the rankings. The Vols' ability to secure a higher ranking will depend on their continued success over the coming weeks. With their impressive record and growing reputation, Tennessee is well-positioned to make a strong case for itself as a top contender for a playoff spot. The team's chances of moving up the rankings will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the next selection. Boise State remains unbeaten in Pac-12 play, with its only loss coming against Oregon in the season opener. This impressive record has made the Broncos the frontrunner for the Group of Six's highest-ranked team bid. The CFP selection committee's decision to rank Boise State at No. 24 last week provided little insight into their relative standing within the Group of Six, leaving many questions unanswered. The Broncos' recent victory over Colorado State was a convincing one, with quarterback Maddux Madsen absent from the lineup. This performance has set up Boise State for success in its upcoming match against Oregon State at home. However, the team will need to win this game convincingly if it is to maintain its position as the top contender within the Group of Six. Boise State's chances of securing a high ranking are also contingent on the performance of other teams within the Group of Six. Teams like New Mexico have been making waves in recent weeks, and their ability to continue their winning streaks will impact Boise State's standing in the rankings. The current crop of teams vying for at-large bids in the College Football Playoff bracket is becoming increasingly crowded. Texas Tech and Wake Forest, both boasting impressive 8-1 records, are now being considered as potential destiny controllers in their respective conferences. These two teams were previously ranked 15th and 16th heading into Week 10, but their chances of securing a spot in the playoff have been bolstered by their strong performances. If they can manage to win out, they will not only secure conference championships but also lock in their playoff appearances. However, with another loss on the horizon, it appears that neither team has a clear path to an at-large berth. Their resumes and metrics suggest that they would need to finish 11-2 overall without losing in the conference championship game to be considered for a spot in the playoff. Meanwhile, BYU's chances of sneaking into the bracket have taken a hit following their loss at Utah. The Cougars must now win out and rely on chaos in the Big 12 standings, which would require another setback for Texas Tech and tiebreaker wins over Houston and other teams to make it to the league title game. Even with a loss, BYU's impressive victory over Notre Dame remains a significant factor in their bid for an at-large selection. If they can manage to finish 10-2 overall on Selection Sunday, they would be right on the bubble, but currently, they are projected as the last team in if other conference championship races play out according to plan. Kentucky's chances of securing an at-large spot remain strong despite their failure to win out and secure a conference title. As long as the Wildcats can hit the magic number of 10 wins from the SEC, they should be considered for a spot in the playoff. To achieve this goal, Kentucky must beat Florida, Missouri, and Louisville over the remainder of the month, which is no easy task under the guidance of first-year coach Will Stein. While it's not an impossible feat, it remains a challenge that the Wildcats will need to overcome if they are to secure their place in the playoff. The Trojans' path to the College Football Playoff is becoming increasingly clear, with their chances hinging on a series of upcoming matchups. A win over Indiana next weekend would be followed by victories against Maryland and UCLA in rivalry week, potentially securing Lincoln Riley's first CFP appearance for USC. This tier of teams includes Ole Miss, Ohio State, LSU, Oregon, and South Carolina, all boasting 6-3 records. Their prospects, however, are far from certain, with each facing unique challenges that could impact their standing in the playoff picture. Oregon's dominant performance against Ohio State has raised eyebrows, while Ole Miss suffered a crushing defeat at home. Meanwhile, LSU's much-needed loss to Alabama has put pressure on the team. South Carolina's impressive four-game winning streak is now threatened by an injury to quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Ohio State's consecutive losses have severely damaged their playoff hopes. While they remain in contention, it's increasingly unlikely they'll be considered a top contender. The Buckeyes' humiliating defeat at home against Oregon has dropped them outside of the top 15. Lane Kiffin's first season at LSU has been marked by an absence of ranked wins, with the team currently sitting at No. 14. A pair of crucial matchups loom on the horizon: hosting Texas in Week 11 and facing Tennessee in Week 12. Winning both games would significantly enhance their resume and alter the conversation surrounding the Tigers. The selection committee will be closely monitoring these teams' performances as they navigate the final stretch of the season. With so many variables at play, it's unclear which team will ultimately emerge from this tier to secure a coveted spot in the playoff. South Carolina's trajectory through the College Football Playoff picture has become increasingly intriguing as the season wears on. The Gamecocks face a crucial test next week in Arkansas before hosting potentially top-ranked Georgia on November 21st. Winning out for South Carolina would mark seven consecutive victories, including triumphs over likely playoff contenders. This scenario is reminiscent of their 2024 campaign when they won six straight games but were ultimately left out of the bracket with a 9-3 record. --- Source: [CBS Sports]( https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-picture-week-10-carnage/ ) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/college-football-playoff-picture-takes-shape-after-weekend-upsets/