Race for the CFP Week 9: Mizzou Back on the Bubble

Oct 24, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Missouri defensive end Zion Young (9) holds up “L’s” after his team beat Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Faurot Field in Columbia.(CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Mizzou’s College Football Playoff hopes are on the line on Saturday at Alabama.

After a season-saving 21-17 Homecoming win over Auburn with a heroic comeback performance from Brady Cook, the Missouri Tigers improved to 6-1 on the season — but dropped two spots to No. 21 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. However, they come in at No. 15 in Bill Connelly’s latest SP+ rankings.

Week 8 Rankings update

AP: 21st
Coaches: 17th
SP+: 15th
Heart: @qbcook12

— Rock M+ (@RockMplus) October 20, 2024

It might not be pretty, but 6-1 is 6-1 as Mizzou has kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive heading into Saturday’s “elimination game” at No. 15 Alabama.

While the Tigers are among the last few out right now, they find themselves back on the bubble in this latest edition of the “Race for the CFP” Week 9.

Top Four Seeds (Conference Champions)

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Oregon (Projected Big Ten Champion): After an easy 35-0 win over Purdue on Friday night, Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks are 7-0 for the first time since 2013.

Georgia (Projected SEC Champion): Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs are back in business after a 30-15 statement win on the road over previously No. 1 Texas.

Miami (FL) (Projected ACC Champion): Heisman candidate Cam Ward and the Canes keep on winning with a 52-45 road victory over Louisville, improving to 7-0 on the season.

Iowa State (Projected Big 12 Champion): The Cyclones avoided the upset in Ames with a 38-35 win over UCF on Saturday to improve to 7-0.

Top Contenders (Hosting First Round Games)

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

5. Ohio State: After a bye week, Will Howard and the Buckeyes look to bounce back after the loss to Oregon. Ohio State hosts Nebraska on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

6. Penn State: The 6-0 Nittany Lions also had a bye week and travel to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on NBC primetime Saturday night.

7. Texas: After the loss to Georgia, the Longhorns look to bounce back on the road at Vanderbilt — who all of a sudden come in at No. 25 in the country.

8. LSU: The Tigers have won six in a row after their season-opening loss to USC and are ranked No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. They’re at Texas A&M on Saturday in what is a CFP elimination game for both teams.

Bubble Teams (Last Few IN)

Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

9. Tennessee: After a massive 24-17 win over Alabama, Nico Iamaleava and the Vols move up to the right side on the bubble heading into a much-needed bye week.

10: Clemson: The Tigers have won six in a row after their season-opening loss to Georgia coming off a 48-31 win over Virginia.

11. Texas A&M: After a 34-24 win over Mississippi State, the Aggies are 6-1 and come in ranked No. 14. Mike Elko’s team will look to solidify themselves as true playoff contenders with a win on Saturday vs LSU.

Group of Five Team

Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images

12. Boise State: Ashton Jeanty and the 5-1 Broncos are ranked No. 17 in the latest AP Top 25 poll and host Barry Odom’s UNLV team on Friday night in a Mountain West showdown.

Bubble Teams (Last Few OUT)

Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Indiana: Playoff hopes are getting real for the 7-0 and No. 13 Hoosiers after a dominating 56-7 win over Nebraska. College Gameday heads to Bloomington for the first time on Saturday vs Washington.

BYU: The Cougars come in at 7-0 and are ranked No. 11 in the country with a manageable schedule the rest of the way to make a serious run.

Alabama: After a 24-17 loss to Tennessee to drop them to 5-2, the Crimson Tide will need to win out in order to make the CFP.

Missouri: Can Mizzou take advantage of a “vulnerable” and “beatable” Alabama team? The Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes are on the line on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Dark Horses/Sleepers:

Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pittsburgh: The Panthers are 6-0 and are ranked No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 poll as they host Syracuse tonight on ESPN.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores come in at No. 25 and are one win away from bowl eligibility. Though, they still have Texas, LSU, and Tennesse on the schedule. A long shot for sure.

Army: The Black Knights come in at 7-0 and are No. 23 in the country, hosting Air Force on Saturday.

Navy: The Midshipmen come in at 6–0 and are No. 24. They have a huge opportunity vs Notre Dame on Saturday.

Here is my projected 12-team playoff entering Week 9 of the season:

Oregon
Georgia
Miami (FL)
Iowa State

5. Ohio State vs 12. Boise State

6. Penn State vs 11. Texas A&M

7. Texas vs 10. Clemson

8. LSU vs 9. Tennessee

CFP Final Four: Oregon vs Ohio State, Georgia vs Texas

CFP National Championship: Ohio State vs Georgia

National Champion: Georgia

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