College Football Week 15 Winners and Losers: The Final Stretch
The college football season is reaching its climax, and it's time to take a look at the teams that have risen to the top and those that have stumbled in the final stretch. This year's AP Top 25 rankings have been a rollercoaster, with some teams soaring to new heights and others plummeting from grace.
Texas Longhorns, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Clemson Tigers: From Top to Bottom
Back in August, the writers ranked Texas No. 1, Penn State No. 2, and Clemson No. 3. Fast forward to now, and these teams find themselves in bowl purgatory. Indiana and Vanderbilt, who were once far behind, are now knocking on the College Football Playoff door, while the Cavaliers are not far behind. It's a stark reminder that rankings can change dramatically over the course of a season.
Texas Tech's Rise to the Top
Texas Tech's 2025 breakthrough has been the talk of the town, with some even calling it preordained. However, the Red Raiders' success is more than just a result of cash influx. It's a well-oiled machine, with oil-and-gas baron Cody Campbell writing the checks, general manager James Blanchard finding the right personnel, and coach Joey McGuire leading the team to victory. The 34-7 beatdown of BYU is a testament to their dominance, and it's hard to argue that they're not the best team in program history.
Alabama's Uncertain Future
Alabama, the surest bet in college football for much of the 2010s and 2020s, is now an enigma. This season alone, they've lost to Florida State, Georgia, and Oklahoma, and their performance in the SEC Championship was disoriented. With quarterback Ty Simpson struggling, the Crimson Tide didn't look like a CFP team. The debate over their ranking in the Miami-Notre Dame matrix will be even more interesting than last year's Alabama-SMU debate.
Tulane's Triumph
Tulane's season started with a somber remembrance of Hurricane Katrina, but it ended with jubilation. The Green Wave clinched a College Football Playoff berth with a 34-21 American championship victory over North Texas. Defensive back Jahiem Johnson, linebacker Chris Rodgers, and safety Jack Tchienchou were key to their success, with three interceptions. Tulane has been one of the Group of Five's best teams for years, but this is a new level of notoriety for the team.
FCS Playoffs: Dakota Showdown
The FCS playoffs saw a showdown in the Dakotas. Illinois State shocked North Dakota State with a 29-28 win, while Montana blasted South Dakota State 50-29. South Dakota, still alive after shutting out Mercer 47-0, is eyeing its first national title since 1985. The Coyotes will face the Grizzlies in the quarterfinals.
Conference Championships: Conference USA's Ace Performance
Only two conference championships this year had no bearing on the national title race: the MAC's, won by Western Michigan, and Conference USA's, won by the Owls behind quarterback Amari Odom's ace performance. Kennesaw State, a team that has only been playing football for 11 years, made a surprising run, but it's a long shot for them to make a conference title run in 2026 or '27.
The CFP Puzzle
As for the College Football Playoff, the rankings for Miami, Notre Dame, Alabama, and even BYU this Sunday afternoon remain a mystery. The Hurricanes should finish ahead of the Fighting Irish, but the CFP's decision will be a matter of logical coherence, considering their equal number of losses and common opponents.
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