Erick Smith

In this space last week, we set the stage for some major changes to future bowl projections with the calendar turning to November.

The first College Football Playoff rankings of the new 12-team era was released Tuesday. Oregon, as expected, was No. 1 but there were surprises.

erick smith, usa today After weekend of upsets in college football , you'd expect a slew of change so the projected playoff field.

USA TODAY We knew there would be changes near the top of the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday after significant upsets in Week 11.

The second College Football Playoff rankings were released, with the big questions surrounding who would be No. 3 and where the SEC teams would land.

The College Football Playoff picture got shaken up after some upsets and that is reflected in this week's bowl projections forecasting the postseason.

erick smith, usa today Usually playing against Mercer doesn't result in a team improving its College Football Playoff seeding.

No. 1 Oregon maintained its position and was followed by Ohio State for the third consecutive week.

The CFP rankings released Tuesday didn't change the top of the field but solved the mystery of where SEC schools would land.

The results from Week 12 of the college football season had a big impact on this week's USA TODAY Sports bowl projections as two teams join playoff.