Bowl Projections 2024-25: Playoff Bracket Predictions, Scenarios Post-week 15 AP Poll
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami Hurricanes received different types of news on Sunday afternoon with the release of the AP Top 25.
Ohio State only fell five spots to No. 7 after its loss to the Michigan Wolverines, while Miami tumbled all the way down to No. 14 following its defeat to the Syracuse Orange.
Miami's drop outside the top 12 is concerning for the team's College Football Playoff hopes.
The Hurricanes do not have any games left to impress the selection committee and they currently sit behind two SEC teams who also do not play anymore before the postseason/
The Alabama Crimson Tide sit at No. 11 ahead of the Arizona State Sun Devils and South Carolina Gamecocks.
The placement in front of South Carolina is meaningful because the final at-large spot in the 12-team field could come down to the SEC squads.
Ohio State Likely to Hit Road in First Round
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Ohio State is safely in the CFB Playoff despite losing to Michigan.
However, the Buckeyes might not host one of the four first-round games because of where they stand in the polls.
Ohio State is at No. 7 behind both Big Ten and SEC Championship Game participants as well as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Volunteers.
There's a real possibility both Big Ten and SEC title games are close and both losers remain inside the top six, which would leave four at-large teams in front of the Buckeyes.
Where the Buckeyes play their first-round game might not matter much in Columbus right now because there are plenty of questions surrounding head coach Ryan Day and how he failed to get OSU to beat Michigan despite having a far better team on paper.
Miami's Playoff Fate in Serious Trouble After Tumble in AP Poll
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Miami's loss to Syracuse probably cost it a spot in the 12-team playoff field.
The Hurricanes are No. 14 in the AP Top 25 and will likely find themselves in a similar position in Tuesday's CFB Playoff rankings release.
Miami's only chance for upward movement is if the Arizona State Sun Devils lose the Big 12 Championship Game and fall from No. 12.
Even if that happens, Miami is behind Alabama and South Carolina and likely will not sniff an at-large spot.
The top 11 teams in the current AP poll are expected to get into the field, as well as the Big 12 champion, which will either be 12th-ranked Arizona State or the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones.
Alabama Holds Edge over South Carolina
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Alabama should be able to breathe easy about its playoff status.
The Crimson Tide are three spots ahead of Miami in the AP poll despite have one fewer loss than the Hurricanes.
The CFB Playoff selection committee will probably follow suit since Bama's schedule was far tougher in comparison to Miami.
Alabama does have some bad losses on its resume, but it has a win over the Georgia Bulldogs. Miami did not play any top 25 opposition.
The Crimson Tide should be in as at-large team as long as they end up ahead of Miami.
Some people could have made the case for South Carolina to get in, but there's value in the head-to-head win the Crimson Tide have over the Gamecocks.
South Carolina only lost by two points to Alabama, but that is likely the result that keeps the Gamecocks beneath Bama and just on the outside of the playoff bubble.
