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The College Football Playoff committee has not given the Big 12 conference much respect, with Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU finishing 10-2 in the regular season but ranking in the mid-teens in the CFP rankings. Despite being slated to finish last in the conference, Arizona State is the favorite in the Big 12 title game against Iowa State, potentially being the only representative in the expanded College Football Playoff field from the conference. The rankings have caused tension between ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard and SMU AD Rick Hart about the strength of schedule.
The race for the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket is tight, with most automatic bids locked down but the final at-large spot up for grabs. The losers of the SEC and Big Ten championship games are likely to secure a spot, with a battle between Clemson and SMU potentially determining the final at-large team.
The most anticipated game of the weekend is between Clemson and SMU, where the winner will have a shot at a playoff bid. Clemson has bounced back after a shaky season, while SMU has excelled in their first year in a Power Four league. The outcome of this game could have significant implications on the final CFP bracket. The weekend is set to be full of thrilling matchups, determining the fate of several teams vying for a spot in the playoffs.
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Photo credit arizonasports.com