Week 13 of college football brought significant developments, particularly for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the landscape for the College Football Playoff (CFP) contenders. The latest results have stirred up the competitive dynamics within the conference, complicating the race for its championship game.
Notably, No. 15 Georgia Tech faced a disappointing defeat against Pittsburgh, losing the game with a score of 42-28. This loss cost Georgia Tech a critical opportunity to clinch a spot in the ACC championship game. Meanwhile, the outcomes of the weekend favored teams such as Southern Methodist University (SMU), who triumphed over Louisville, as well as No. 19 Virginia, both of which gained from Georgia Tech's loss.
The weekend also saw strong performances from top-ranked teams within the AP Top 25. Notably, No. 6 Oregon and No. 8 Oklahoma both secured important victories that bolster their positions in the CFP rankings. Oregon delivered a convincing blow to USC's playoff aspirations with a 42-27 victory, effectively ending USC's chances of contending for the playoffs. Simultaneously, Oklahoma showcased its dominance against Missouri, winning their match with a solid score of 17-6.
As the rankings were poised to be updated at 2 p.m. on that Saturday, the anticipation grew around where teams would land, particularly following an eventful week of games.
In addition to Oregon and Oklahoma, several other top teams delivered impressive results during Week 13. No. 1 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Georgia, No. 9 Notre Dame, and No. 10 Alabama all achieved decisive victories over their respective opponents. Ohio State overwhelmed Rutgers, securing a commanding 42-9 win, while Texas A&M shut out Samford with a score of 48-0. Georgia cruised past Charlotte with a 35-3 victory, Alabama dominated Eastern Illinois with a score of 56-0, and Notre Dame showcased its offensive prowess by defeating Syracuse 70-7.
This week also provided a rest for teams such as Indiana, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech, allowing them to regroup and prepare for future matchups while monitoring the outcomes of their competitors.
The process of ranking teams is overseen by The Associated Press, which has been conducting polls since 1936. While AP employees do not participate in the voting, they select around 60 writers and broadcasters as voters, ensuring a diverse representation from various states with Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Each voter ranks teams on a 1-to-25 point scale, with the top-ranked team earning 25 points and subsequently descending to 1 point for the 25th-ranked team. The final rankings list teams based on the total points received, and teams that received votes but did not make the top 25 are also noted.
The voting process occurs online, and the point tabulations are managed automatically, ensuring an efficient and transparent ranking system that reflects the sentiments of the college football media landscape. As teams push towards the end of the season, every game becomes crucial in determining their standings and potential playoff bids.
