There are 19 college football unbeatens. Predicting when each team will lose for first time

Way back in early 2019 — before the days of NIL, the transfer portal and a global pandemic — Clemson beat Alabama to become the first team to finish 15-0 since Penn in 1897.

In the future, the expanded College Football Playoff may result in a national champion that goes 16-0 or even 17-0. Doing so would be a monumental achievement requiring going through the regular season unscathed and then beating three or four of the best teams in the country.

Nineteen Bowl Subdivision teams are still chasing immortality heading into Week 6, led by the top four teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll: No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Tennessee.

Based on history, the odds are that these unbeaten records won’t last long. Here’s our best guess for when each of the current unbeatens suffer their first loss of 2024.

No. 1 Texas (5-0)

First loss: vs. No. 5 Georgia, Oct. 19.

Look for the Longhorns to sail past No. 17 Oklahoma on Oct. 12 given the Sooners’ offense state of affairs. Getting Georgia at home definitely helps, but the Bulldogs are heading into October deeply motivated to move past last Saturday’s setback at Alabama and end the regular season with just one loss.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) rushes in the first half Sept. 7, 2024 against Michigan at Michigan Stadium.

No. 2 Alabama (4-0)

First loss: at No. 4 Tennessee, Oct. 19.

This is the first of three ranked opponents in a row for the Crimson Tide, with the Volunteers followed by No. 9 Missouri in Tuscaloosa and No. 12 LSU on the road. While Alabama could definitely stay perfect through this run, Tennessee looks like an elite team capable of making the most of the home-field advantage in this rivalry.

No. 3 Ohio State (4-0)

First loss: Sometime in postseason play. (Maybe.)

The Buckeyes are beginning to resemble a powerhouse built to run through a tough Big Ten…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/19-college-football-unbeatens-predicting-110255386.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-03 11:02:55

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