With their victory over Texas, Georgia has reclaimed the number one overall seed in this week’s College Football Playoff projections, pushing the Longhorns down to an at-large bid.

Although playoff expansion has reduced the stakes of regular-season games, this change highlights the lasting effects of the season. The Bulldogs are now in a strong position to get a first-round bye, while the Longhorns will need to win additional matches to vie for the national title.

Texas is still expected to face Georgia again for the SEC championship. The loss doesn’t diminish Texas’s performance; the team was resilient, bouncing back after trailing initially and ultimately outplaying the Bulldogs in the second half.

Texas has a favorable schedule ahead, which could be a double-edged sword. While they have an easier route compared to other SEC teams, failing to secure crucial wins before December could hurt their postseason prospects.

Interestingly, Texas could end the season with just one loss but might not have any victories against teams that finish in the top ranks of the US LBM Coaches Poll. So far, the Longhorns have no ranked victories; notable teams like Michigan and Oklahoma, previously ranked, have fallen in performance. Texas will need Texas A&M to keep winning to ensure a ranked matchup at the end of the season.

Current College Football Playoff Bracket Projection

There are several surprising teams making a push for a playoff spot.

One such team is Texas A&M, which has won six straight games since losing their opener to Notre Dame. They hope to secure a spot in the SEC championship game but are also cheering for the Fighting Irish to lose at least once, preferably twice, to avoid any potential hurdles.

Meanwhile, Indiana has been turning heads in the Big Ten with a big 56-7 victory over Nebraska and is enjoying its best season start since 1967. They face tough opponents in their final games, including Washington, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Purdue, with the latter two being away games.

In the Big 12, Brigham Young and Iowa State are both unbeaten and vying for playoff contention. The Cougars won’t face the Cyclones during the regular season but have challenging road games against Central Florida, Utah, and Arizona State ahead.

Four Teams to Monitor

SMU

The Mustangs’ only blemish this season is a close 18-15 loss to BYU. Remarkably, they’ve broken through expectations and are one of three unbeaten teams in the ACC, alongside Miami and Clemson. While those two teams are projected to make the playoff, SMU has performed well enough to remain in contention as they hover just outside the top ranked teams.

Illinois

Following in Indiana’s footsteps, Illinois has also emerged as an unexpected contender in the Big Ten. The Illini achieved a convincing 21-7 victory over Michigan last Saturday, which may revive their hopes after prior close games against Penn State and Purdue. Their upcoming game against Oregon will be critical for their playoff aspirations.

UNLV

UNLV showcased their strength in the second half against Oregon State, securing a 33-25 victory and entering a vital Mountain West matchup against Boise State this Friday. While the Broncos currently represent the Group of Five in the bracket, a win for the Rebels could propel them back to the forefront. They will need to contain Boise’s standout running back Ashton Jeanty, who leads the nation in rushing yards and is a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Louisiana-Lafayette

Another rising contender from the Group of Five is ULL, which moved to a 6-1 record with a 34-24 victory over Coastal Carolina. The Ragin’ Cajuns add a respectable loss to Tulane and a road win over Wake Forest to their resume, with further opportunities for wins against potential bowl teams like Texas State, Arkansas State, and rival Louisiana-Monroe. For ULL to make a mark, they need to win all remaining matches and hope for favorable results from Georgia Southern and some teams in the American Athletic to beat Army and Navy.