For the first time in weeks, college football wasn't entirely unhinged. However, Clemson moved up to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff prediction and the dream died for one of our former CFP predicted teams.
It was always a pipe dream for Navy to make the CFP, but it was one that I desperately wanted to believe. For the first time since 1979, the service academy started 6-0. Its offense has been dynamic all season, scoring at least 34 points in every win. That was not the case with Notre Dame Saturday. The Irish held Navy to 14 points and dropped 51 on the Midshipmen, forcing six turnovers. Before Saturday, Navy had only coughed up the ball twice.
The Cinderella story is over, but it was fun while it lasted. And in its place in the CFP prediction is none other than Notre Dame.
2024 week nine 12-team CFP prediction
Rank | Team | Why are they there | Previous rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgia | SEC Champion | 1 |
2 | Oregon | Big 10 Champion | 2 |
3 | Miami | ACC Champion | 3 |
4 | Iowa St | Big 12 Champion | 4 |
5 | Texas A&M | At-large | 9 |
6 | Clemson | At-large | 8 |
7 | Ohio State | At-large | 6 |
8 | Penn St | At-large | 5 |
9 | Texas | At-large | 7 |
10 | BYU | At-large | 11 |
11 | Notre Dame | At-large | 8 (week one) |
12 | Boise St | MW Champion | 10 |
Notre Dame was last predicted to make the playoffs after its week one victory over Texas A&M but dropped out after losing to Northern Illinois. Well, the Irish have been 6-0 since then and are now ranked in the AP Poll Top 10. There's almost no one left in front of them that poses a threat. USC had a great win at the beginning of the season against LSU but hasn't met expectations since. Notre Dame should still beat the Trojans easily.
On the other hand, Notre Dame's best win happens to be its first. Texas A&M hasn't missed a beat since losing its first game. Right now, they're the only team in the SEC without a conference loss, and the championship invite is theirs to lose. The Aggies moved up to No. 5 after Ohio State and Penn State struggled with Nebraska and Penn State, respectively.
Texas also moved down after nearly letting Vanderbilt stay within three points. That's not a rag on the Commodores. They're really good this season. It's more of a commentary on the Longhorns. Texas had a soft schedule for the first six games. They were blown out by Georgia in the seventh game and barely beat Vandy in the eighth. Texas is exceptional, but it's nowhere near the team the media thought it'd be.