Oregon, USC, and Texas A&M are all shockingly absent from RJ Young’s latest projected 24-team College Football Playoff field as Week 9 approaches. It’s a truly astonishing reality, especially considering the expanded format is supposed to open doors. This isn’t just a minor oversight, it’s a full-on snub for some big-name programs.
The Brutal Truth For Big Programs
It’s one thing to miss a 12-team field, but for these teams to be completely left out of a 24-team projection? That’s wild. While Lincoln Riley’s USC squad still has a glimmer of hope for a 12-team invitation, the article paints a bleak picture, calling it like a “ripe banana dropped into a blender.” They better keep the rest of their schedule from hitting purée if they want any shot.
This season has proven something that’s been talked about since August: it has never been more difficult to win a college football game. Only three teams remain undefeated, and the path for everyone else has been a struggle. The traditional “College Football Tree of Life” isn’t just shedding dead branches, it feels like the whole brush is impossible to clear.
Why Winning Has Become a Nightmare, and Who Benefits
So, why is it suddenly so tough to string together wins? There are a few big reasons. The SEC finally stepped up and joined the rest of the Power Four by playing a nine-game conference schedule. That’s a huge shift. Plus, teams only get one bye week this season, which means injuries are playing a much bigger role in outcomes. And let’s be real, fans, especially those with serious NIL money, are incredibly impatient for ultimate success. When teams like Indiana, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State, Tulane, and James Madison can crush their coaching searches, build through the transfer portal, and make the CFP, or even win the whole damn thing, it raises the bar for everyone.
This new 24-team CFP format, despite snubbing some, actually makes it even more appealing for programs like Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, and yes, even USC, to simply “get in.” For coaches, it’s a mark of safety from being fired. RJ Young’s selection criteria are pretty straightforward: the four Power Four conference champions and the highest-ranked Group of Six team get automatic bids. The remaining 19 spots are filled with at-large bids from his weekly top-25 rankings.
As for the automatic qualifiers, the top seeds look exactly like you’d expect:
* 1. Miami, ACC champion
* 2. Ohio State, Big Ten champion
* 3. Georgia, SEC champion
* 8. Utah, Big 12 champion
* 24. Boise State, highest-ranked Group of Six team
These top four could easily be the top seeds in any playoff iteration, past or future. They just look good.
So, how are you feeling about your team right now? If they’re in, you might be unbothered, sipping something fancy in your blacked-out Rolls-Royce. If not, you’re probably feeling that dangerous kind of hope. Four more games could bring home a national championship, and anyone who isn’t there has to be a little envious of those who are. The playoff race is heating up, and we’ll see if the struggling giants can turn things around!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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