The College Football Playoff committee released their first rankings of the season, providing a blueprint for bowl season. Let’s dive into the matchups heading into week 10.

Celebration Bowl (Dec. 12 at 12 PM EST)

South Carolina State vs Alabama A&M

Arizona Bowl (TBD)

Western Michigan vs UNLV

Salute to Veterans Bowl (Dec. 15 at 5:30 PM EST)

UMass vs UAB

Frisco Football Classic (Dec. 15 at 9 PM EST)

Arkansas State vs Miami OH

San Juan Bowl (Dec. 16 at 7:30 PM EST)

Pittsburgh vs Louisiana Tech

Boca Raton Bowl (Dec.18 at 11 AM EST)

Ohio vs Tulsa

Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 18 at 2:30 PM EST)

UTSA vs Penn State

Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec. 21 at 11 AM EST)

South Florida vs Marshall

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 21 at 2:30 PM EST)

Louisiana vs North Dakota State

Puerto Rico Bowl (Dec. 22 at 1:30 PM EST)

Buffalo vs Georgia Southern

Cure Bowl (Dec. 22 at 5 PM EST)

Toledo vs Liberty

Independence Bowl (Dec. 22 at 8:30 PM EST)

Army vs UCF

New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 23 at 2 PM EST)

Jacksonville State vs James Madison

Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23 at 5:30 PM EST)

Baylor vs Air Force

Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 23 at 7:30 PM EST)

New Mexico vs Fresno State

Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23 at 9 PM EST)

Middle Tennessee State vs San Diego State

New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 24 at 2:30 PM EST)

Troy vs Wyoming

Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24 at 7 PM EST)

Florida Atlantic vs Oregon State

Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 26 at 12 PM EST)

Boston College vs Michigan

Fenway Bowl (Dec. 26 at 2 PM EST)

Duke vs North Texas

Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Dec. 26 at 3:30 PM EST)

SMU vs Northwestern

68 Ventures Bowl (Dec. 26 at 5:30 PM EST)

Appalachian State vs Delaware

Cactus Bowl (Dec. 26 at 7:30 PM EST)

Wisconsin vs Cincinnati

Military Bowl (Dec. 28 at 2 PM EST)

Louisville vs Memphis

Holiday Bowl (Dec. 28 at 5 PM EST)

Virginia Tech vs USC

Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 29 at 2 PM EST)

North Carolina vs Illinois

Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec. 29 at 5:30 PM EST)

Wake Forest vs Houston

Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29 at 9 PM EST)

Texas Tech vs Oregon

Gator Bowl (Dec. 30 at 11:30 PM EST)

Mississippi State vs Syracuse

Music City Bowl (Dec. 30 at 3 PM EST)

Minnesota vs Missouri

Reliaquest Bowl (Dec. 31 at 12 PM EST)

Iowa vs South Carolina

Sun Bowl (Dec. 31 at 2 PM EST)

Clemson vs Washington

Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 31 at 3:45 PM EST)

Arizona vs LSU

Texas Bowl (Dec. 31 at 7:30 PM EST)

Oklahoma State vs Florida

Citrus Bowl (Jan. 2 at 12 PM EST)

Ohio State vs Tennessee

First Responder Bowl (Jan. 2 at 3:30 PM EST)

Nebraska vs Iowa State

Liberty Bowl (Jan 2. At 7:30 PM EST)

West Virginia vs Auburn

CFP First Round:

8/9:

UCLA vs BYU

UCLA is the lowest ranked undefeated team, coming in at No. 8. They get to host a first round matchup, and winning will continue to push the Bruins up. BYU gets a chance to rebound this weekend against Utah and show the committee that they deserve a higher ranking.

5/12:

Alabama vs Boise State

It’s no surprise that the committee valued Boise State as the best group of six team right now. However, it is concerning that quarterback Maddux Madsen left the game last Saturday due to a knee injury and that his status for next game is in the air. Alabama is coming off a bye and they go on the road to LSU Saturday with major CFP implications on the line.

7/10:

Texas vs Ole Miss

Texas won this matchup against Ole Miss two weeks ago, but both teams still face challenges in order to get to this spot come December. Texas still has to play LSU and Missouri, along with a rivalry matchup at Texas A&M, while Ole Miss hosts Georgia Saturday.

6/11:

Kentucky vs Notre Dame

Whether or not Notre Dame fans want to hear this, their season is on the line Saturday against Miami. With a win, the Irish should safely be in the field, barring an upset. A loss would push them outside of the playoff with no quality opponents left on their schedule. The committee put Notre Dame in an awkward position as the last team in. On the flip side, Kentucky sits at No. 6 as Will Stein’s first year in Lexington continues to be magical.

CFP Quarterfinals:

Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 30 at 7:30 PM EST)

3 Utah vs Kentucky

Unlike UCLA, Utah got a favorable ranking as one of three remaining undefeated teams. Depending on what happens this weekend, a win over BYU could boost them to No. 1, something they have never done before.

Peach Bowl (Jan 1. at TBD)

1 Miami vs BYU

Miami will be shorthanded against Notre Dame Saturday, as Malachi Toney will not be suiting up due to injury. Other guys, like Cooper Barkate and Mark Fletcher Jr, will need to step up to fill that void in order to keep their electric offense running at full steam.

Cotton Bowl (Jan. 1 at TBD)

2 Georgia vs Texas

Georgia absolutely dominated Florida last Saturday and looks like the No. 2 team in the country again after their slip up against Auburn. Gunner Stockton will have to continue making good decisions and keeping the ball secure in order for Georgia to win these CFP games and hoist the title.

Rose Bowl (Jan 1. at TBD)

4 Indiana vs Alabama

Alabama will be out for revenge after Indiana embarrassed them last year in the Rose Bowl. The Hoosier defense is one of the best in the country and will make life difficult for Keelon Russell, who has been susceptible to mistakes all season long.

CFP Semifinals:

Orange Bowl (Jan 14. at 7:30 PM EST)

Miami vs Indiana

Sugar Bowl (Jan 15. at 7:30 PM EST)

Georgia vs Utah

Conference Winners:

ACC

Miami

American

UTSA

Big 12

Utah

Big Ten

Indiana

CUSA

Liberty

MAC

Toledo

Mountain West

New Mexico

Pac-12

Boise State

SEC

Georgia

Sun Belt

Louisiana Tech

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