The competition for college football’s conference titles is intensifying as teams strive for top positions in their respective leagues, especially with automatic playoff bids on the line. In the current landscape of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), only the Sun Belt Conference maintains traditional divisions. Most other conferences will feature their top two teams facing off in championship games. Below is a detailed overview of the standings and key matchups as teams gear up for the final stretch of the season.
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
In the ACC, Virginia (5-0) stands as the sole unbeaten team in conference play, closely followed by Georgia Tech (5-1) and Pittsburgh (5-1). Notable contenders also include Louisville (4-1), SMU (4-1), and Duke (4-1). The potential for tiebreakers is significant, with head-to-head victories influencing the standings. For instance, Virginia has secured a win against Louisville, while Georgia Tech triumphed over Duke.
Looking ahead, Duke will host Virginia on November 15, a critical matchup that could shake up the rankings. Following that, Georgia Tech will welcome Pittsburgh, and SMU will face Louisville the subsequent week. Miami (2-2) still has a chance to impact the standings, but will need to defeat Pittsburgh on November 29 to remain in the title conversation.
American Athletic Conference (AAC)
The race in the AAC has become particularly competitive after Navy lost to North Texas, resulting in six teams with just one loss in conference play. Currently, Navy leads with a record of 5-1, followed by Memphis (4-1), North Texas (4-1), South Florida (3-1), Tulane (3-1), and East Carolina (3-1). The AAC champion could secure a coveted Group of Five spot in the upcoming 12-team playoff.
Crucial matchups loom, including Memphis hosting Tulane on November 8 and Navy welcoming South Florida on the same day. Memphis will also face Navy again on November 27, adding to the tension as the season progresses.
Mountain West and Conference USA
In the Mountain West, San Diego State (4-0) leads the conference while Boise State (4-1) follows closely behind. The competition is fierce, as teams like Hawaii (3-2) and Fresno State (3-2) also vie for top positions. San Diego State will face Hawaii on November 8, followed by a critical home game against Boise State on November 15.
Meanwhile, in Conference USA, Kennesaw State (4-0) and Jacksonville State (4-0) are setting the pace, although all teams in the conference have at least two losses overall. Jacksonville State holds a tiebreaker over Liberty, making their upcoming game on November 15 vital for playoff implications.
Big Ten and Pac-12 Highlights
In the Big Ten, Indiana (6-0) and Ohio State (5-0) are leading the charge. With no direct matchup in the regular season, the standings could hinge on other games. Notably, Iowa (4-1) will host Oregon (4-1) on November 8, while Michigan (5-1) faces Ohio State on November 29. This stretch will be crucial for determining the conference champion.
In the Pac-12, BYU (5-0) is currently in the lead, followed by Texas Tech (5-1) and Cincinnati (5-1). Upcoming games include BYU traveling to Texas Tech on November 15, and hosting Cincinnati later in the month.
As the season approaches its climax, the stakes are high across all conferences. Teams will be fighting not only for their conference titles but also for a chance to compete in the expanded playoff, making each game critical as the end of the regular season draws near.
