Chaos in Charlotte's Path: Top 25 Shakeups Redefine College Football Playoff Picture

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The penultimate weekend of the college football regular season delivered high drama and consequential results, tightening the race for the College Football Playoff (CFP) and blowing the ACC Championship Game wide open. While top contenders like Ohio State and Texas A&M took care of business, two marquee-ranked matchups and a shocking upset ensured that the final week of the season will be laden with win-and-in scenarios.

The Elimination Game: Oregon Dashes USC’s Hopes

In a massive Big Ten showdown, the No. 7 Oregon Ducks likely eliminated No. 15 USC from CFP contention with a commanding 42-27 victory in Eugene. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore delivered a strong performance, throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, with the Ducks taking control in the second quarter and never relinquishing the lead. The Ducks’ victory was crucial, improving their record to 10-1 and maintaining their spot among the top two-loss teams vying for a high seed, possibly even a home game, in the expanded CFP. For the Trojans (8-3), the loss confirms their road struggles in big games and ends any realistic hope of sneaking into the 12-team field.

ACC Implosion: Pitt Shocks Georgia Tech

The biggest upset—and the most impactful for a conference title race—came in the ACC, where Pittsburgh stunned No. 16 Georgia Tech 42-28. The Yellow Jackets only needed a win to punch their ticket to the ACC Championship Game, but they dug themselves an insurmountable 28-0 hole in the first half. Though Georgia Tech rallied, a crushing 100-yard pick-six in the third quarter sealed their fate. The loss creates massive chaos in the ACC, opening the door for SMU and Virginia to take control of the title game race. Pitt (8-3) now needs to beat Miami next week, coupled with losses by SMU or Virginia, to reach Charlotte.

Sooners Strengthen Playoff Claim

No. 8 Oklahoma continued its late-season surge, securing a grind-it-out 17-6 victory over No. 22 Missouri. The win marks the Sooners’ third straight against a ranked opponent and their fifth overall, strengthening their position as the top-ranked two-loss team in the current CFP rankings. Quarterback John Mateer made timely plays, and the Oklahoma defense was suffocating, shutting out the Tigers in the second half. At 9-2, Oklahoma heads into their regular-season finale against LSU next week needing a win to lock up their first CFP berth since 2019.

Close Calls and Blowouts

No. 13 Utah survived a wild, high-scoring affair against Kansas State, winning 51-47. The Utes rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, scoring 14 points in the final three minutes. Quarterback Devon Dampier’s go-ahead 59-yard run on 4th-and-1 set up the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining, keeping the Utes’ slim Big 12 title and CFP hopes alive.
No. 9 Notre Dame went for style points, putting on a shocking display in a 70-7 dismantling of Syracuse. The Irish scored 21 points before their offense even took the field (two pick-sixes and a blocked punt return), with the blowout clearly designed to impress the CFP committee as they vie for an at-large bid.
No. 1 Ohio State pulled away in the second half to defeat Rutgers 42-9, setting up a monumental undefeated showdown with Michigan next week.
No. 3 Texas A&M coasted to a 48-0 shutout victory over Samford to maintain their perfect 11-0 record ahead of their rivalry game against Texas.

Looking Ahead

The focus now shifts to the final week of the regular season, which will determine who plays in conference championship games and which teams secure the last few coveted college football playoff spots. The ACC’s mess means a new frontrunner will emerge, and Oklahoma’s date with LSU will decide if they officially punch their ticket.