Four Big 12 Teams Ranked Top 10 in Latest AP Poll

The Big 12 Conference is gaining national recognition with four teams—BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and Cincinnati—making the latest AP Poll, signaling the league's depth and competitiveness heading into November. Analysts like Andy Staples project that the Big 12 could send two teams, Texas Tech and BYU, to the College Football Playoff, highlighting a significant shift in perception for the conference as a playoff contender. The AP-based mock playoff bracket includes Notre Dame, Virginia, and Texas Tech, while traditional powers like Oklahoma and Texas find themselves on the outside looking in due to rankings and automatic qualifications. Louisville football is also emerging as a playoff contender in the ACC, recently appearing in updated College Football Playoff forecasts following key wins and chaotic conference results. This growing competitiveness across conferences intensifies the playoff race, with teams needing to maintain momentum and win crucial upcoming matchups to secure their spots in the postseason. Overall, the evolving landscape underscores the importance of consistent performance and the shifting power dynamics within college football.