Week 7 Showcases Marquee Matchups in Seattle and South Bend

The top teams in the formidable Pac-12 conference face their first true tests of the season in Week 7. No. 8 Oregon hits the road to take on No. 7 Washington, while No. 10 USC goes head-to-head with No. 21 Notre Dame. These teams have both playoff and Heisman aspirations for their quarterbacks, making this an exciting week to determine their standings. Read on for an overview of the playoff structure, ranking release dates, and the current playoff picture entering Week 7.

When Will the College Football Playoff Rankings Be Released?

The first CFP rankings for the 2023 season will be unveiled on Tuesday, October 31, following Week 9 of play. Subsequent rankings will then be released on every Tuesday throughout the regular season.

A 13-member committee, comprising former coaches, student-athletes, college administrators, journalists, and athletic directors, determines the rankings. These rankings, extending up to number 25, are based on factors such as head-to-head results, strength of schedule, and conference titles.

How Many Teams Qualify for the College Football Playoff?

The College Football Playoff will include four teams in the 2023 season. The committee will select and announce these four teams on December 3, the Sunday after the conclusion of all conference championship games.

Starting in 2024, the playoff format will expand to include 12 teams and incorporate less subjective selection procedures. For now, the top four teams in the final CFP rankings secure a spot in the playoffs.

When and Where Will the College Football Playoff Games Take Place?

The two semifinal games will occur on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA.

A week later, on Monday, January 8, the national championship game will be held in Houston.

The College Football Playoff Picture Entering Week 7

The playoff landscape began to crystallize last week, but many teams still have control over their destiny as we approach Week 7. Teams must remain in contention for their own conference titles to stay in the playoff conversation as conference play intensifies in the coming weeks.

Since the CFP rankings are not available for the first eight weeks of the season, the AP rankings serve as the primary indicator of future possibilities. The current AP rankings feature the following top four teams:

1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. Florida State

Oklahoma ranks fifth, followed by Penn State at sixth.

Defending national champions, Georgia, demonstrated their strength with an emphatic 51-13 victory over then-No. 20 Kentucky last week. Despite initial concerns regarding slow starts and struggles against unranked opponents, Georgia displayed the dominance we expected. This week, they face Vanderbilt, a team they have outscored 117-0 in the past two seasons, so retaining the top spot seems likely for Georgia.

Who Will Secure a Spot in the College Football Playoff?

The Daily Line crew analyzes the College Football Playoff Run, discussing the teams that will make it and the ones fading away.

Michigan, like Georgia, has made it to the CFP in the past two years, but fallen short in the semifinals each time. Currently, the Wolverines appear to be one of the most well-rounded teams in college football. However, they have yet to face a tough opponent or be tested by a ranked team. Nevertheless, their impressive 52-10 victory on the road against Minnesota last week showcased their potential. Michigan will likely encounter their first significant challenge in Week 11 when they clash with No. 6 Penn State. Today, they host the Indiana Hoosiers, who currently hold a 2-3 record, in Ann Arbor.

The top four rankings saw a shake-up last week as Oklahoma defeated Texas in the Red River Rivalry. Texas, previously ranked third, now sits at ninth, while Oklahoma stands just outside the coveted top four at number five.

Ohio State and Florida State each moved up one position to third and fourth, respectively, following Texas’ slip. Both teams have secured one significant victory so far this season – Ohio State’s nail-biting win over Notre Dame in Week 4, and Florida State’s dominant performance against LSU in the season opener. However, formidable challenges lie ahead for both teams. Florida State faces tough opponents in #17 Duke, #25 Miami, and in-state rivals Florida in Week 13. Meanwhile, Ohio State is yet to face No. 6 Penn State and their nemesis, No. 2 Michigan, who have triumphed over the Buckeyes for two consecutive years.

Although the current top four consists of representatives from only three conferences, it is expected to change. Oklahoma has a strong argument if they continue their winning streak. Additionally, the Michigan-Ohio State matchup will eliminate one of these teams from the top four. However, it is crucial to note that the Pac-12 conference is predicted to have a playoff representative this year, given its exceptional performance as the strongest Power Five conference.

This week, the top Pac-12 teams face their most challenging opponents yet. No. 8 Oregon battles No. 7 Washington, while No. 10 USC goes up against historic rivals No. 21 Notre Dame. These highly anticipated matchups will provide clarity on the most likely Pac-12 team to secure a playoff spot. The Pac-12 has not had a representative in the CFP since 2016 when Washington advanced but ultimately lost to Alabama in the semifinal.