Conference Races Heat Up as College Football Heads Into November
With November fast approaching, college football fans are eager to see how conference races shape up before the playoffs. Not only does this mark the end of political ads on Saturdays, but it also signals the crucial stretch for teams competing for conference titles — which hold even more weight in the 2024 season.
This year, the top four conference champions in the final College Football Playoff rankings will secure a first-round bye in the newly expanded 12-team playoff, with the fifth-best champion guaranteed a spot. It’s safe to predict that the champions from the Power Five conferences will occupy those top spots, but identifying those champions is challenging in a season full of parity.
American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Top contenders: Army (6-0), Navy (4-0), Tulane (4-0)
Second tier: Memphis (3-1)
With Army, Navy, and Tulane undefeated in AAC play, the November 16 game between Navy and Tulane could be the decider for who faces Army for the conference title. Army, however, only has North Texas and UTSA left on their schedule. Meanwhile, Navy’s schedule is manageable, with three winnable games before the showdown with Tulane.
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Top contenders: Clemson (5-0), Miami (4-0), Pitt (3-0), SMU (4-0)
Second tier: Virginia Tech (3-1), Louisville (3-2)
The ACC race includes six realistic contenders, though it’s looking likely that Clemson and Miami could meet for the title, with both teams dominating conference play. Pitt and SMU face off next week in a game that could potentially shape the championship game’s outlook, especially after SMU’s thrilling overtime victory against Duke.
Big 12
Top contenders: BYU (5-0), Iowa State (4-0), Kansas State (4-1)
Second tier: Colorado (4-1), TCU (3-2), Texas Tech (3-2), West Virginia (3-2), Cincinnati (3-2)
The Big 12 title race is packed, with as many as eight teams still in the running. BYU continued its winning streak with a recent victory over UCF, while Iowa State and Kansas State are both at the top and could face off on the final weekend for what might serve as a semifinal game. Notably, preseason favorites Oklahoma State and Utah are not in the mix this season.
Big Ten
Top contenders: Indiana (5-0), Oregon (5-0), Penn State (4-0)
Second tier: Ohio State (3-1)
In the Big Ten, it appears to be a four-team race, with other contenders trailing with at least two losses. Ohio State’s Week 10 showdown against Penn State will be pivotal, especially as Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar’s status is in question after he sustained a knee injury in their recent win against Wisconsin.
Conference USA
Top contenders: Western Kentucky (3-0), Jacksonville State (3-0)
Second tier: Liberty (3-1), Sam Houston (3-1)
Conference USA’s title race should clarify soon, with Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State each having to face both Liberty and Sam Houston before season’s end. The outcomes of these games will be crucial to determining the conference’s top team.
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Top contenders: Western Michigan (4-0), Miami (Ohio) (3-1), Ohio (3-1), Bowling Green (3-1)
Second tier: Buffalo (2-2), Eastern Michigan (2-2), Toledo (2-2), Ball State (2-2)
Western Michigan leads the MAC, but Miami, Ohio, and Bowling Green are close behind. Bowling Green’s recent win over Toledo could become important, as WMU still has to face both the Eagles and Miami. Miami holds a tiebreaker over Ohio after a key 30-20 win.
Mountain West
Top contenders: Boise State (3-0), Colorado State (3-0), San Diego State (2-0)
Second tier: Fresno State (3-1), UNLV (2-1), San Jose State (3-2)
Boise State is a strong contender for the Group of Five’s playoff spot, recently besting UNLV. Colorado State has a favorable schedule remaining, although they’ll be without star receiver Tory Horton. A November game against Fresno State could determine Colorado State’s path forward.
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Top contenders: Texas A&M (5-0), Georgia (4-1), Texas (3-1), Tennessee (3-1), LSU (3-1)
Second tier: Alabama (3-2), Ole Miss (2-2)
The SEC is a fierce battle, and the title game will likely feature two of the top seven teams listed. Texas A&M has a clear path, with only South Carolina, Auburn, and Texas left. LSU will face Alabama in November, and Georgia is set to take on Ole Miss and Tennessee, all crucial games in deciding the title matchup.
Sun Belt
Top contenders (East): Old Dominion (3-1), Georgia Southern (3-1), Marshall (2-1)
Top contenders (West): Louisiana (3-0), Arkansas State (3-1), South Alabama (3-1), UL Monroe (3-1), Texas State (2-1)
The Sun Belt is the only conference still divided into divisions, with the West being particularly competitive. South Alabama has been dominant in points differential and will face Louisiana on November 16, a potential division-deciding game.
Notable Winners and Losers This Week
Winners
- Kennesaw State: In their first season as an FBS team, the Owls defeated Liberty for their inaugural FBS win, led by QB Davis Bryson’s efficient 16-of-20 performance.
- Pitt: The Panthers are off to a 7-0 start for the first time since Dan Marino’s era, thanks to a strong defensive showing and steady QB play from Alabama transfer Eli Holstein.
- Tulsa: Down 42-17 against UTSA, Tulsa engineered a stunning comeback, ultimately winning 46-45 thanks to late heroics from QB Cooper Legas.
- Indiana: Even without starting QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana moved to 8-0 with a 31-17 win over Washington, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Losers
- Oklahoma State: Preseason Big 12 favorites, Oklahoma State is now winless in conference play, dropping to 0-5 after a disappointing loss at Baylor.
- Liberty: Their unexpected loss to Kennesaw State likely ends Liberty’s playoff hopes despite last year’s perfect regular season.
- Kyle McCord: The Syracuse QB’s five-interception game against Pitt was one of the season’s roughest, with three of those interceptions returned for touchdowns.
- Stanford: The Cardinal suffered yet another home loss, remaining winless against non-FCS teams under head coach Troy Taylor after a late 27-24 defeat to Wake Forest.
