College Football Playoff Race Heats Up as Several Contenders Fall

The college football landscape shifted dramatically this past weekend, with several top teams suffering upset losses that have thrown the College Football Playoff picture into disarray. 

Let’s break down the biggest stories:
** Tulane’s Playoff Hopes Dashed by Memphis:**
In a stunning turn of events, previously undefeated No. 18 Tulane fell to Memphis 34-24.  The Green Wave, who had been riding high with a perfect record and a potent offense, were unable to contain Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan, who threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns. This loss likely eliminates Tulane from playoff contention.

**  USC Keeps Playoff Dreams Alive with Win over Notre Dame:**
No. 5 Notre Dame suffered their second loss of the season, falling to USC in a thrilling rivalry matchup.  The Trojans, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, outlasted the Fighting Irish in a high-scoring affair.  This win keeps USC in the playoff hunt, but they’ll need help in the coming weeks.

**  Colorado Continues to Climb:**
No. 16 Colorado continued their remarkable turnaround season with a victory over Utah.  The Buffaloes, led by Coach Prime and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, are now winners of four straight and remain in the driver’s seat for an appearance in the Pac-12 title game.  With their impressive performance, Colorado has entered the conversation as a potential playoff dark horse.

**  Other Notable Upsets:**
* Texas A&M Stuns LSU: The Aggies pulled off a major upset, defeating No. 7 LSU on the road. This win throws the SEC West race wide open and adds another layer of intrigue to the playoff picture.
* Oregon State Upsets Boise State: No. 11 Boise State, considered a strong contender for the Group of Five’s automatic playoff berth, lost a heartbreaker to Oregon State. This loss could open the door for other Group of Five teams, such as Tulane (despite their loss) or UCF, to make a playoff push.

**  Looking Ahead:**
With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the playoff race is far from settled.  The College Football Playoff committee will have its work cut out for it as it evaluates the remaining contenders and determines the four teams that will compete for the national championship.

**  Key Takeaways:**
* The college football season is full of surprises, and no team is invincible.
* The playoff race is wide open, with several teams still in contention.
* Colorado’s resurgence is one of the most compelling stories of the season.
* The final weeks of the season promise to be filled with excitement and drama.

This weekend’s results have injected even more excitement into an already thrilling college football season.  Fans can expect plenty more twists and turns as the race for the playoffs reaches its climax.

tik4tat research team, 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Your Life–Your Future