US LBM Coaches Poll, Week 14
USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken breaks down this week’s USA LBM Coaches Poll and discusses how an undefeated FSU will miss the playoffs after being ranked No. 5.
The 12-team playoffs are coming a year too late to prevent a lot of anger from certain segments of college football fans — sorry, Seminoles. But let’s try to lighten the mood a bit and just for fun pretend that the powers that be in sports have gotten together and delivered a 12-team format for this season.
Of course that wouldn’t have stopped all the screaming. Someone will be the first team eliminated no matter how big the field is, and fans of the fifth team would complain about having to play an extra game. But that’s better than being left out entirely, right?
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So again, just for fun, here’s what the matchups would look like based on the CFP committee’s final top 25. Keep in mind that the possible matchups will not necessarily match the New Year’s Six bowl assignments for this season, as these are dictated by conference tie-ups. But if we sort the field according to the rankings and the highest-rated champion in the group of five is assigned an automatic starting spot, this is how the first round would go.
First round playoff games
Next year’s first round will be played on campus, with the top four ranked players receiving home games. These 2024 games will take place December 20-21.
No. 12 Liberty at No. 5 Florida State
We would see an undefeated battle from the start as the Flames would test their mettle against the ACC champion Seminoles. Liberty hasn’t faced any Power Five competition this season, but the Flames have temporary wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn over Bowling Green and New Mexico State, respectively. The Flames’ high-octane offense, led by QB Kaidon Salter and scoring over 40 points per game, would have its hands full against Jared Verse and the Seminoles’ defense, which came out on top when the offense was exhausted.
No. 11 Mississippi at No. 6 Georgia
This wasn’t much of a game just a few weeks ago on Nov. 11, when the then-No. 1 Bulldogs beat the Rebels 52-17. Again, since this is a purely intellectual exercise, it might be more fun to think about how Georgia’s offense would fare against Penn State’s more experienced defense.
But again, as things stand, it would be an SEC showdown in the quarterfinals, with either the Bulldogs or the Rebels facing No. 3 Texas.
No. 10 Penn State and No. 7 Ohio State
It seems likely that, to avoid rematches, the committee could adjust its final rankings and swap Ole Miss and Penn State. As it is, we’ve seen this movie before, when the Buckeyes won a defensive duel against the Nittany Lions on October 21st. If the matchups were adjusted, it would be a little more interesting to see what more experienced ball-handling talent Jaxson Dart and the Rebels have could compete against Tommy Eichenberg and Co. in Columbus.
No. 9 Missouri and No. 8 Oregon
Well, that would be a lot of fun. The Ducks handled every team on their schedule not named Washington, but the Tigers have a similar build to the Huskies and can move the ball in a variety of ways.
The winner of this potential shootout would face top-seeded Michigan, and one of them could potentially have the firepower to make this quarterfinal contest entertaining as well.
Playoff quarterfinals schedule
The bowl games will host the final eight teams. The 2024 season plan calls for the Fiesta Bowl to be played on December 31st. The Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl take place on January 1st.
Oregon-Missouri winner against No. 1 Michigan
Ohio State-Penn State winner over No. 2 Washington
Georgia-Mississippi winner over No. 3 Texas
Florida State-Liberty winner over No. 4 Alabama
Playoff semifinals schedule
The semifinals will take place on January 9th in the Orange Bowl and on January 10th in the Cotton Bowl.
Oregon or Missouri or Michigan vs. Florida State or Liberty or Alabama
Ohio State or Penn State or Washington versus Georgia or Mississippi or Texas
Playoff championship game.
The national championship game will take place on January 20 in Atlanta and will reveal the semifinal winners.