Week 10 was relatively straightforward except for a few games with implications for the College Football Playoffs (CFP). But, of course, those games didn't go as planned. Two teams dropped out of the CFP predictions, with Clemson and Iowa State losing in upset fashion.
Iowa State was one of the few undefeated teams left in the sport. On Saturday night, the Cyclones played Texas Tech at home with an opportunity to start 8-0 for the first time in history. Unfortunately, Tech had other ideas. The Raiders drove the field in the final seconds, scoring with 19 clicks left on the scoreboard to go up 23-22.
The likelihood that Iowa State finishes the season unscathed is very low, and even then, they'd probably have to win the Big 12 championship, given its strength of schedule. Instead, BYU takes the Cyclones' place at the top of the Big 12.
2024 week ten 12-team CFP prediction
Rank | Team | Why are they here | Previous rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgia | SEC Champion | 1 |
2 | Oregon | Big 10 Champion | 2 |
3 | Miami | ACC Champion | 3 |
4 | BYU | Big 12 Champion | 10 |
5 | Ohio State | At-large | 7 |
6 | Texas | At-large | 9 |
7 | Penn St | At-large | 8 |
8 | Notre Dame | At-large | 11 |
9 | Tennessee | At-large | 7 (week five) |
10 | Indiana | At-large | Not Ranked |
11 | Texas A&M | At-large | 5 |
12 | Boise St | MW Champion | 12 |
Our night of upsets isn't over, either. Clemson was brought to its knees in Death Valley by a 5-3 Louisville team. Granted, the Cardinals have one of the highest SOS in the ACC, and its only losses were to Notre Dame, Miami, and SMU. But Clemson wasn't just beaten — it was embarrassed. Before Saturday, the Tigers averaged 42 points a game, but they only scored seven points that mattered, with the majority of their points in garbage time.
Texas A&M stood alone at the top of the SEC, but on Saturday, South Carolina dragged the Aggies back down to Earth. The Gamecocks put up 44 points on A&M's defense, which hasn't given up more than 24 points all season. However, with how the SEC is shaking out, they still have a legitimate shot to make the championship game. All that stands in the Aggies' way is Texas at the end of the season. And with that rivalry heating up, there's no telling who comes out on top.
The new teams to join the CFP prediction are undefeated Indiana and Tennessee — making its second appearance in the rankings. The Vols have redeemed themselves after their stumble in Fayetteville, and Indiana is running the Big Ten with Oregon after Penn State lost to Ohio.