December 6, 2022
While many teams will be on the edges of their seats come selection sunday, few have their spots safely secured.
If the season ended today, the college football playoff would consist of Georgia, Michigan, TCU and USC.
This season, the Georgia Bulldogs have been dominant. Led by a ferocious defense, they have allowed 11.1 ppg which ranks as the least points allowed by a defense.
Their offense is led by twenty-five-year-old senior quarterback, Stetson Bennet, who arsenals an offense that ranks top ten in yards per game, while also scoring an average of 38.4 points per game.
The Bulldogs play no slouch schedule either as they hold big time wins over Tennessee and Oregon. The Bulldogs spot is all but locked up as they face the eleventh ranked LSU Tigers.
Coming off a huge win against their arch rivals (Ohio State) and the previously ranked third team in the nation, the Michigan Wolverines, Georgia has all but secured their spot in the college football playoffs. Michigan despite not having a Heisman contending running back, Blake Corum still stuck it to the Buckeyes’ defense.
The Wolverines rushed for 252 yards led by running back Donovon Edwards who broke away for 75- and 85-yard touchdowns. The Wolverines also continued their elite, defensive play, holding the Buckeyes’ explosive offense to three points in the second half.
The Wolverines await the Purdue Boilmakers in the Big Ten Championship, but no matter the outcome it is expected the Wolverines will hold a spot in the playoffs after huge wins over Penn State and Ohio State.
While the Bulldogs and Wolverines both have their spots all but locked up, these next two spots both depend on how next Saturday’s championship games play out.
The TCU Hornfrogs are currently in the college football playoff. This is not a joke. Before the season began, the Hornfrogs were not even ranked in the AP Poll; they now hold their own destiny in their hands.
The Hornfrogs currently hold a record of 12-0 with ranked wins over Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. TCU averages 41.3 points per game, the fourth highest in all of college football. They face off against Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship which would all but secure their spot.
Lastly the University of Southern California Trojans have had their program rejuvenated. This is mostly due to last offseason when former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley brought his Quarterback, Caleb Williams, with him when he joined the team. Caleb Williams is currently the nation’s Heisman front-runner with 34 touchdown passes.
The Trojans took full advantage of the transfer portal bringing in Blietnikoff award-winner Jordan Addison and Oregon running back Travis Dye. Both additions have been key pieces to the offense. With their help, the Trojans have put together an impressive campaign of 11-1.
The Trojans earned big time wins over Notre Dame as well as UCLA which has propelled them into their current placement. However, there is no certainty with this football team. Their upcoming rematch against Utah, their only loss, is a must win for their journey to the college football playoffs.
This Saturday, all eyes will be on the conference championship games as they will make or break seasons. What will happen if TCU and USC falter?
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