College Football 24-25: Week 9 Review

The Final Undefeated Team in SEC Play is...TEXAS A&M?!?!?! (#14 Texas A&M 38, #8 LSU 23)
Since losing their season opener to Notre Dame, the Aggies have been on a roll. They've had some close calls against Bowling Green and Arkansas, but their last three victories have been a little more convincing. It was far from smooth sailing against LSU, with the Tigers leading by ten points in the second half. Marcel Reed came into the game, replacing Connor Weigman, to get the Aggies' offense going. Reed got it done with his legs, scoring three times in the second half to lead the Aggies back in front. Add three second-half interceptions from the Aggies' defense and it was the blueprint for another win. Texas A&M now sits atop the SEC at 5-0, seemingly in line to battle for the conference title in Atlanta.

There's Something About Vanderbilt (#5 Texas 27, #25 Vanderbilt 24)
It's rare we give teams their flowers for losing to a Top 5 team, but Vanderbilt has been one of the most incredible stories of this season. Entering the Top 25 for the first time in over a decade, the Commodores hoped to find the same magic that allowed them to beat Alabama against Texas. Unfortunately, they could not, losing by three points to the Longhorns after three touchdowns from Quinn Ewers. However, the Commodores made it incredibly close. Diego Pavia accounted for three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to see lightning strike twice. 

Power 4 Conference Title Game Predictions
ACC- There's a distinct possibility that Miami, Clemson, and SMU all finish the season perfect in ACC play. Of the three undefeated schools, Clemson has the easiest path to Charlotte. They only have three conference games left, including in Pittsburgh in their conference finale. Assuming they survive in Blacksburg in two weeks, Clemson feels like a lock. Miami has been the most consistent team in the ACC and their road moving forward isn't too tough either. I'm banking on SMU stumbling, especially after they narrowly escaped Durham with an overtime victory against Duke. 
Prediction- Miami vs. Clemson

Big Ten- Right now, this is a four-team race between Oregon, Indiana, Ohio State, and Penn State. Next week, one team will likely be eliminated with Ohio State traveling to Happy Valley. In their penultimate game, Ohio State will host Indiana, likely eliminating the loser of that game, assuming both are still perfect. Oregon's only remaining test is next week in the Big House against Michigan. Should Oregon win, it feels like they'll be perfect through the remainder of the regular season, sealing their spot. Ohio State also has Michigan on their slate and with their road being more precarious, the Buckeyes will have their work cut out for them.
Prediction- Oregon vs. Ohio State

Big 12- The Big 12 race will likely go down the stretch with Kansas State and Iowa State meeting in the final week of the regular season to determine who faces BYU. The Cougars aren't guaranteed a spot yet, still needing to win in Utah and against Kansas, but they feel like the closest thing to a sure bet in the conference. Assuming the Wildcats and Cyclones meet in Ames with their perfect conference records intact, the winner will be in.
Prediction BYU vs. Iowa State

SEC- No team in the SEC will be undefeated at the end of the season, which feels unheard of with how dominant they typically are. There are several teams still in the thick of the hunt, with several big-time matchups remaining. In two weeks, Alabama faces LSU in Baton Rouge and Georgia is at Ole Miss. In three weeks, the Bulldogs are in Knoxville against Tennessee. To end the season, Texas A&M hosts Texas. It's almost impossible to predict how the rest of the season will go during one of the wildest seasons of SEC football I can remember. As boring as this will sound, the two best teams will ultimately meet in Atlanta for a rematch.
Prediction- Georgia vs. Texas

My Top 25
1. Oregon (8-0)
2. Georgia (6-1)
3. Miami (8-0)
4. Penn State (7-0)
5. Ohio State (6-1)
6. Texas (7-1)
7. Tennessee (6-1)
8. Clemson (6-1)
9. Notre Dame (7-1) 
10. Iowa State (7-0)
11. Indiana (8-0)
12. Alabama (6-2)
13. BYU (8-0)
14. Texas A&M (7-1)
15. Kansas State (7-1)
16. LSU (6-2)
17. Boise State (6-1)
18. Pittsburgh (7-0)
19. Ole Miss (6-2)
20. Army (7-0)
21. SMU (7-1)
22. Colorado (6-2)
23. Illinois (6-2)
24. Missouri (6-2)
25. Vanderbilt (5-3)

My 12-Team College Football Playoff
1. Oregon (Big Ten)
2. Georgia (SEC)
3. Miami (ACC)
4. Iowa State (Big 12)

5. Penn State (Big Ten) vs. 12. Boise State (MWC)
6. Ohio State (Big Ten) vs. 11. Indiana (Big Ten)
7. Texas (SEC) vs. 10. Notre Dame (IND)
8. Tennessee (SEC) vs. 9. Clemson (ACC)

13. Alabama
14. BYU
15. Texas A&M

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