Conference Title Races: Playoff Bids

**College Football Playoff Race Heats Up as Conference Championships Loom Large**

As the college football regular season hurtles towards its thrilling conclusion, the stakes have never been higher for teams vying for a conference title. With the highly anticipated expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 12 teams beginning in 2024, the path to a national championship now runs directly through conference championship games. Five highest-ranked conference champions will earn an automatic bid, alongside the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion, making every remaining contest a potential determinant of playoff destiny.

Here’s a breakdown of the battles shaping up across the major conferences:

**Big Ten: The East’s Collision Course, The West’s Tight Race**

The Big Ten East remains a two-horse race between perennial powerhouses **Michigan** and **Ohio State**. Their colossal showdown on November 25th is poised to be a de facto division championship game, with the winner advancing to Indianapolis. While **Penn State** technically remains in contention, their path requires a cascade of upsets to materialize.

In the Big Ten West, **Iowa** currently holds the advantage. A victory against Illinois on November 18th, or stumbles by rivals Nebraska or Minnesota, would clinch their spot. However, **Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota** are all still mathematically alive, facing increasingly tight scenarios that demand wins and help from other results. The coming weeks will sort out a division that has been anything but predictable.

**SEC: Georgia’s Reign, Alabama’s Redemption Arc**

The SEC East is already decided, with top-ranked **Georgia** securing their division title on November 11th, setting them on a collision course for Atlanta. The West, however, is where the drama intensifies. **Alabama**, fresh off a crucial victory over LSU, controls its destiny. Victories against Chattanooga on November 18th and arch-rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl on November 25th would send the Crimson Tide to the championship game. **Ole Miss** needs Alabama to drop both of its remaining games – a formidable ask – while **LSU** has officially been eliminated from contention. The potential for an SEC Championship game featuring two top-tier playoff contenders is palpable.

**Big 12: Texas in the Driver’s Seat, Oklahoma Chasing**

In the Big 12, **Texas** holds its fate in its own hands. If the Longhorns win out, they’re in the championship game. **Oklahoma**, their Red River Rival, needs to win its remaining games *and* hope Texas falters once. Below them, a competitive scrum includes **Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Arizona**, all of whom are mathematically alive but require significant external help and favorable outcomes to reach Arlington. This conference promises a nail-biting finish with multiple teams still vying for a shot.

**ACC: Florida State Nearing the Finish Line, Louisville Eyes Second Spot**

**Florida State** is on the cusp of clinching a spot in the ACC Championship. Just one more victory, whether against North Alabama on November 18th or in their rivalry clash against Florida on November 25th, will seal their berth. For the second spot, **Louisville** controls its own destiny; wins against Miami on November 18th and Kentucky on November 25th would secure their passage. Teams like **North Carolina, NC State, Duke, and Virginia Tech** are still technically in the mix, but their paths are narrow, relying on a series of unlikely events and upsets.

**Pac-12: The Rematch Looms on the Horizon**

The Pac-12 picture is sharply focused on **Oregon** and **Washington**. Ironically, these two highly-ranked rivals meet on November 18th in a game that could set the stage for a potential championship game rematch. Washington needs just one more win to clinch a spot, while Oregon needs two. Below them, **Oregon State, Arizona, Utah, USC, and UCLA** are mathematically alive, but their routes to the top two spots are becoming increasingly challenging, requiring a blend of their own victories and losses from the front-runners. The West Coast will feature high-stakes matchups as teams fight for a chance at conference glory.

**Group of 5: A Coveted Automatic Bid**

Beyond the Power Five conferences, the race for the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion and its invaluable automatic playoff bid is equally intense. Teams like **Tulane (AAC), UTSA (AAC), Liberty (CUSA), Toledo (MAC), and Troy (Sun Belt)** are all currently in the mix. Each one knows that winning out and securing their conference title is their only guaranteed path to the expanded CFP. The coming weeks will see these programs battle fiercely for national recognition and a shot at college football’s biggest stage.

As the regular season’s final weeks unfold, every snap, every score, and every upset will contribute to the mosaic of the 2023 college football landscape. The stakes are higher than ever, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the road to the new 12-team College Football Playoff.