College Football Takeaways 24-25: Week 15

Dude…

The playoff is set. There were a ton of changes as the conference championships shook up the order. Georgia fought their way into a first round bye. Clemson fought their way into the playoff. SMU survived. Bama is out. What a week!! Here are your latest takeaways from the last week of the regular season!

Bulldog Pride- The SEC Championship game between Georgia and Texas was a dramatic showdown marked by resilience and pivotal performances from backup players. Georgia's starting quarterback, Carson Beck, sustained a significant arm injury at the end of the first half, leaving the Bulldogs trailing in momentum and strategy. Backup quarterback Gunner Stockton stepped in and energized the team, leading an impressive opening drive in the second half that culminated in Georgia's first touchdown. Stockton’s ability to manage the game under pressure, despite throwing an interception later, kept the Bulldogs competitive​. The game’s turning point came in overtime, when Stockton was forced to leave the field due to a hit that knocked his helmet off. Despite his injury, Beck returned for a single snap, executing a handoff to running back Trevor Etienne, who scored the decisive touchdown in Georgia's 22-19 victory. This critical play underscored the team's adaptability and determination under challenging circumstances​ Stockton's leadership during Beck's absence and the team's ability to rally in overtime highlighted Georgia’s depth and resilience. Their performance secured them the SEC title and emphasized the value of preparation and adaptability in high-pressure situations​. Texas looked sloppy in the second half, especially Ewers. Georgia hops into the 1st round bye, while Texas slides into a matchup against Clemson.

Clemson squeezes in- Clemson claimed the ACC Championship with a strong performance against SMU, but the Mustangs' effort in their inaugural ACC season was remarkable enough to keep them in contention for a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth. Despite the 11-1 Mustangs' narrow loss, their high-powered offense, which averages over 40 points per game, and impressive defensive metrics kept them as a viable playoff contender. Their undefeated regular-season conference play, a first for any team transitioning from a Group of Five to a Power Five conference, highlights their success and resilience under Coach Rhett Lashlee​ SMU's loss does complicate their playoff path, but their ranking and overall resume provide an argument for at least an at-large berth. With standout performances by quarterback Kevin Jennings and a robust defense forcing turnovers, SMU has proven they can compete with the best in college football. Their determination and consistency this season make them a team to watch as CFP decisions are finalized. I enjoy that they kept Alabama out, even though the Crimson Tide had a tougher schedule. Both Clemson and SMU find themselves in away games at tough environments in the first round.

The Playoff is set- The 2024 College Football Playoff marks the first year of its 12-team expansion, creating a historic and dynamic postseason landscape. The bracket includes the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams, with the top four conference champions receiving first-round byes. This setup has introduced a mix of powerhouse programs and underdog stories, emphasizing the depth of competition.First-round matchups on December 20-21 feature games such as No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas and No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State. No. 10 Indiana goes to No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 9 Tennessee is at No. 8 Ohio State. The new format brings one of the best parts of college football to the main stage. Each first round matchup will be played at the home team’s field, bringing the atmospheres to the big dance. Quarterfinals follow on December 31 and January 1, with marquee bowls like the Rose Bowl hosting No. 1 Oregon, the Fiesta Bowl hosting No. 3 Boise State, No. 4 Arizona State at the Peach Bowl, and No. 2 Georgia at the Sugar Bowl. The semifinals are set for January 9, culminating in the National Championship on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. We are in for a great first year of the College Football Playoff as it expanded to 12 teams.