College football playoff predictions: Georgia vs. Texas right?

By Texas’30-15 loss to Georgia last weekend, every SEC team lost a game before November for the first time since 2007. And there are still nine teams in the conference ranked among the top 25 best in the game, according to the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

Put another way: There are 10 undefeated teams left in the game. Only nine appear in AP polls. None of the SEC.

The new members of the 16-team SEC now receive full coverage. Texas and Oklahoma They are new Coaches brought to the varsity to “get experience” and all they “see” is being admired by the elite.

The biggest winners on Texas’ CV are Oklahoma and Michigan. Now, Texas has to hold on to a 15-point loss to Georgia as its best game of the year. Must be.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC all boast undefeated teams in their respective leagues. Expect to see more SEC teams in the CFP than any other league in the region.

Let’s get to my fourth round of CFP predictions for the 2024 college football season:

1. Oregon
Session: The Big Ten
Record: 7-0

2. Georgia
Session: SEC
Record: 6-1

3. Miami (Fla.)
Session: ACC
Record: 7-0

4. Iowa State
Session: Big 12
Record: 7-0

5. Ohio State
Session: The Big Ten
Record: 5-1

6. Penn State
Session: The Big Ten
Record: 6-0

7. Texas
Session: SEC
Record: 6-1

8. Clemson
Session: ACC
Record: 6-1

9. BYU
Session: Big 12
Record: 7-0

10. LSU
Session: SEC
Record: 6-1

11. Tennessee
Session: SEC
Record: 6-1

12. Boise State
Session: Mountain West
Record: 6-1

Now that we have the expected seeding set, let’s take a look at what the first round matchups will look like:

1. Oregon: Bye (would play winner of 8. Clemson vs. 9. BYU)

2. Georgia: Bye (would play winner of 7. Texas vs. 10. LSU)

3. Miami: Bye (would play winner of 6. Penn State vs. 11. Tennessee)

4. Iowa State: Bye (would play winner of 5. Ohio State vs. 12. Boise State)

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5. Ohio State (Big Ten Championship runner-up) vs. 12. Boise State (Top 5 championship team)

This game can be dangerous. The Broncos faced the best UNLV team to come out of Las Vegas in 40 years, and Brennan Marion’s extraordinary GoGo offense proved difficult to stop. However, Ashton Jeanty has been the nation’s leading offensive player through six games, and if he pulls off, UNLV may not have an answer.

6. Penn State (one of the top 12 teams) vs. 11. Tennessee (one of the top 12 teams)

Tennessee still hasn’t figured out how to create wide plays against SEC competition, and quarterback Nico Iamaleava has yet to throw for 200-plus yards in a league game. However, Dylan Sampson is one of the most successful opponents in the game, and Tom Allen’s Nittany Lion defense may have trouble stopping him in the neutral field.

7. Texas (one of the top 12 teams) vs. 10. LSU (one of the top 12 teams)

For the first time this year, the Texas offense looked like it was dying. The Longhorns were held scoreless in the first half against Georgia and managed just 15 points in the loss due to Georgia’s ability to generate pressure. If LSU could replicate UGA’s defensive game plan, this game could be as good as 2019 Texas vs LSU in Austin – the game that sparked LSU’s undefeated national championship streak.

8. Clemson (second runner-up for ACC championship) vs. 9. BYU (Big 12 championship runner-up)

Although BYU is undefeated, the Cougars did not look invincible. Meanwhile, the Tigers have looked unstoppable since their loss to Georgia earlier this year. With Cade Klubnik and Jake Retzlaff at QB, this potential matchup is looking like a fun matchup, much more than anyone imagined at the start of the season.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him to @RJ_Motja.

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