College football power rankings: Stacking the College Football Playoff field

[ad_1]

With championship weekend within the rearview, we provide our remaining school soccer energy rankings earlier than bowl season commences.

However as a substitute of our common high 10, we’ve ranked the 12 playoff groups.

How far did Penn State and SMU fall after championship sport losses? How a lot did Clemson and Arizona State rise?

Let’s dive into our School Soccer Playoff energy rankings with out additional delay.

1. Oregon (13-0) W 45-37 (vs. Penn State) | Final Week: 1 (=)

The Oregon Duck is lifted up by cheerleaders on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, after the Massive Ten Championship sport at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Oregon Geese defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions, 45-37. Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos

Large receiver Tez Johnson was the distinction within the Geese’ high-scoring Massive Ten championship sport win over the Nittany Lions, ending with a career-high 181 receiving yards on 11 receptions. The fifth-year senior started his profession within the Solar Belt at Troy (2020-22) however has change into one of many nation’s high playmakers at Oregon, which is three wins away from its first nationwide title.

Subsequent: Rose Bowl (vs. winner of Tennessee at Ohio State) [Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET | ESPN)

2. Notre Dame (11-1) Idle | Last Week: 3 (+1)

Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore (15) intercepts a pass intended for Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) in front of linebacker Jack Kiser (24) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Irish enter the CFP with one of the country’s top secondaries. Notre Dame ranks third in passing defense (157.9 yards allowed per game), and corners Jordan Clark and Leonard Moore have stepped up since cornerback Benjamin Morrison’s season-ending hip injury, allowing 35 receptions on 68 targets this season for 329 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Next: vs. Indiana (Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN)

3. Georgia (11-2) W 22-19 OT (vs. Texas) | Last Week: 6 (+3)

Dec 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Georgia’s resiliency in the SEC championship game was impressive. The Bulldogs once again started slowly, but backup quarterback Gunner Stockton and the Georgia defense proved the program’s championship pedigree with a strong second half, holding Texas to 129 yards after halftime, including just 16 in the third quarter.

Next: Sugar Bowl (vs. winner of Indiana at Notre Dame) [Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET | ESPN]

4. Texas (11-2) L 22-19 OT (vs. Georgia) | Final Week: 2 (-2)

Dec 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) drops again to cross in opposition to the Georgia Bulldogs throughout the first half within the 2024 SEC Championship sport at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos

Does Texas have a quarterback downside? Coming into the CFP, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers is arguably the worst of the 12 starters, making us marvel how quickly till we see backup Arch Manning.

Subsequent: vs. Clemson (Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET | TNT, Max)

5. Tennessee (10-2) Idle | Final Week: 7 (+2)

Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive again Jermod McCoy (3) celebrates the interception in opposition to the Vanderbilt Commodores throughout the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Steve Roberts-Imagn Photos

Tennessee’s excellent protection has a troublesome first-round matchup in opposition to Ohio State’s elite offensive playmakers. Cornerback Jermod McCoy, who transferred from Oregon State throughout the offseason, is a participant to look at after solely permitting 27 receptions on 58 targets (46.6 %) for 337 yards, one landing and 4 interceptions with eight cross breakups throughout the common season. ( h/t Professional Soccer Focus )

Subsequent: at Ohio State (Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN)

6. Ohio State (10-2) Idle | Final Week: 8 (+2)

Nov 30, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive finish Jack Sawyer (33)celebrates a fourth down cease throughout the first quarter in opposition to the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Photos

Ohio State’s means to generate stress with its defensive entrance will likely be key in opposition to the Vols. Amongst gamers with at the very least 215 pass-rush snaps in 2024, DE Jack Sawyer ranks ninth in pass-rush win fee (19 %), totaling 42 complete pressures .

Subsequent: vs. Tennessee (Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN)

7. Penn State (11-2) L 45-37 (vs. Oregon) | Final Week: 4 (-3)

Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches quarterback Drew Allar (15) throw in opposition to the Oregon Geese throughout the second quarter within the 2024 Massive Ten Championship sport at Lucas Oil Stadium. Jordan Prather-Imagn Photos

The Nittany Lions got here up quick in one other huge sport underneath head coach James Franklin. Whereas the offense was spectacular with 518 complete yards, the protection was toothless, permitting three landing drives of at the very least 60 yards in Oregon’s first three possessions and surrendering 45 factors, its most since a 52-49 loss to USC within the 2016 Rose Bowl.

Subsequent: vs. SMU (Dec. 21, 12 p.m. | TNT, Max)

8. Indiana (11-1) Idle | Final Week: 9 (+1)

Indiana's Mike Katic (56) and the Hoosiers hoist the Previous Oaken Bucket after the Indiana versus Purdue soccer sport at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Wealthy Janzaruk/Herald-Occasions / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos

The battle for Indiana is ready (sorry, Purdue) because the Hoosiers and Combating Irish are set to satisfy for the primary time since Bryan Adams had the No. 1 tune within the nation within the School Soccer Playoff. Rather a lot has modified since 1991, with Indiana’s emergence as a school soccer nationwide title contender among the many most drastic.

Subsequent: vs. Notre Dame (Dec. 20, 8 p.m. | ABC, ESPN)

9. Arizona State (11-2) W 45-19 (vs. Iowa State) | Final Week: N/A (NEW)

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State working again Cameron Skattebo (4) fends off Arizona security Gunner Maldonado (9) throughout the first quarter at Mountain America Stadium. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Working again Cameron Skattebo’s bruising working type and a Solar Devils protection that’s allowed 15.8 factors per sport over its final 4 video games counsel Arizona State may very well be a extra harmful 4-seed than its being given credit score for. After each Texas and Clemson had been gashed for over 140 dashing yards of their respective convention championship video games, we’re not taking the Solar Devils flippantly.

Subsequent: Peach Bowl (vs. Clemson at Texas winner) [Jan. 1, 1 p.m. | ESPN)

10. SMU (11-2) L 34-31 (vs. Clemson) | Last Week: 5 (-5)

Nov 30, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive end Cameron Robertson (15) and defensive end Billy Walton III (32) and California Golden Bears quarterback CJ Harris (16) in action during the game between the SMU Mustangs and the California Golden Bears at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Mustangs opened a lot of eyes with their valiant comeback effort after an awful start against Clemson in Saturday’s ACC championship game. SMU erased a 17-point deficit after three quarters by outgaining Clemson 185-27 in the fourth quarter to prove it belonged in the playoffs.

Next: at Penn State (Dec. 21, 12 p.m. | TNT, Max)

11. Boise State (12-1) Last Week: N/A (NEW)

Dec 6, 2024; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) hands off to running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the first half against UNLV Rebels at Albertsons Stadium. Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Despite riding an 11-game win streak, Boise State has underwhelmed over the past three weeks in wins over Wyoming, Oregon State and UNLV. The defense allowed over 100 rushing yards each game, while quarterback Maddux Madsen has completed just 57 percent of his passes, putting enormous pressure on likely Heisman finalist running back Ashton Jeanty.

Next: Fiesta Bowl (vs. SMU at Penn State winner) [Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN)

12. Clemson (10-3) Last Week: N/A (NEW)

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after defeating the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the 2024 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Tigers backed into the CFP with the automatic ACC bid. Over its last three games, Clemson has allowed an average of 236.3 rushing yards per game, and it has a potentially tough matchup in the CFP first round against Texas, which has rushed for over 200 yards in three of its past five games.