This week was always set for major shifts in the College Football Playoff layout with Georgia taking on Alabama on the last Saturday of September.

Alabama’s win has placed them as the top seed, pushing Georgia into a first-round matchup. There’s a chance these two teams could face off again for the No. 1 seed in the SEC championship, but Tennessee and Texas might have different plans.

A surprising twist came with Utah’s unexpected loss, which eliminated them from the playoff picture completely. Although Utah is still without their quarterback Cam Rising, his return could make them a favorite in the Big 12 once again. Meanwhile, Kansas State, after defeating Oklahoma State, has moved from being out of contention to securing a first-round bye in the conference championship. Iowa State, not far behind, has challenging games ahead in November that might boost their standings.

The Group of Five team also sees a shift. UNLV played exceptionally against Fresno State, demonstrating no negative impact from losing their quarterback due to an NIL issue. The Rebels are set to face Boise State in Week 9, which could be the first of two vital matches between these Mountain West teams that may determine a playoff spot. James Madison, who held that position last week, remains a contender but might suffer from a weaker schedule. Only time will unveil the outcome.

Note: Former Pac-12 schools will uphold the existing bowl agreements through the 2025 season.