Latest CFP projections shows Alabama's gain is FSU's save. For now

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Latest CFP projections shows Alabama's gain is FSU's save. For now

Matt Hayes, USA TODAY NETWORK · USA TODAY Sports

Sun, Sep 28, 2025 ·

3 min read

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We'll remember this wild weekend by one play above all else, and how it was a microcosm of Alabama's return to the heart of the College Football Playoff race.

Massive man-child Kadyn Proctor , Alabama 's star offensive tackle, catching a perimeter screen pass as an eligible wide receiver.

Then rumbling over everyone (including Georgia ) who thought Alabama was dead.

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) celebrates with tight end Josh Cuevas (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) celebrates with offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) reacts after a fumble recovery against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Edric Hill (94) tackles Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) in the first half at Sanford Stadium.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Georgia Bulldogs mascot Uga XI on the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart on the sideline during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Georgia Bulldogs take the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Fan light up the stands while the Georgia Bulldogs take the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Colbie Young (8) goes in to score a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) runs against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ellis Robinson IV (1) and defensive back KJ Bolden (4) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (33) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Domani Jackson (1) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole (9) and linebacker Quintavius Johnson (33) and defensive back KJ Bolden (4) celebrate in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) makes a catch against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daylen Everette (6) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

"I told (Alabama quarterback) Ty (Simpson) earlier this week, you better get it to me, man," Proctor said.

Said Simpson: "I told him he better catch it."

What's old is new again: Oregon, Alabama surge as US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25 rankings get makeover after Week 5

That one play underscored the enormity of the moment for Alabama, and in a funky, CFP sort of way, kept Florida State safe in the playoff chase.

For a week, anyway.

Because no matter how good Florida State 's win over Alabama in the season opener looks, the loss to Virginia last Friday eliminated some wiggle room for the Noles. Especially with Miami coming to Tallahassee on Saturday.

If Miami beats the Noles, FSU's path to the CFP more than likely becomes winning the ACC or bust.

Projecting 2025 College Football Playoff field

1. Miami:Imagine locking in the top seed in the CFP by the end of September. Welcome to Miami's world, everyone. Up next: at Florida State.

2. Oklahoma :What's the angst about dynamic backup QB Michael Hawkins replacing injured star John Mateer ? Maybe — and I'm just throwing this out there — Hawkins needed proper coaching, too. Up next: vs. Kent State.

3. Oregon :We wanted answers, we got them. A huge win in a rare environment — and QB Dante Moore is quickly growing into an elite player. Up next: bye week.

4. Ohio State :The defense is fabulous, the offense is a work in progress. Give QB Julian Sayin time, he'll be a star. Up next: vs. Minnesota.

5. Florida State:Let's not get ahead of ourselves and call what FSU did to Alabama an "outlier." If anything, FSU stumbling to Virginia was the outlier. Up next. vs. Miami.

6. Alabama:We've gone from searching for $70 million to buy out Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, to the realization this team has a high ceiling in a brutal conference race . Up next: vs. Vanderbilt.

7. Georgia:But for a missed Tennessee field goal, we'd be talking about Georgia's inability of late to defend the pass in big games. Up next: vs. Kentucky .

8. Indiana:Welcome to playing a real schedule, Hoosiers. There's no room for a letdown, especially against the most underrated assistant coach in college football (Iowa DC Norm Parker). Up next: bye week.

9. Ole Miss :Another step in the maturation of Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss . Rebels proved they could win a physical slugfest , and will get two more chances on the road (Georgia, Oklahoma). Up next: bye week.

10. Texas Tech :Don't be ridiculous, Behren Morton is Tech's quarterback. Will Hammond is a talented backup who teams haven't schemed yet. Up next: at Houston.

11. Penn State :There's redemption on the horizon (at Ohio State, vs. Indiana), but Lions have lost significant juice. Up next: at UCLA .

12. South Florida:The further the Bulls are removed from Boise State and Florida wins, the more we need to see impressive wins with little doubt. Up next: vs. Charlotte.

First round games

No. 12 USF at No. 5 Florida State

No. 11 Penn State at No. 6 Alabama

No.10 Texas Tech at No. 7 Georgia

No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 8 Indiana

First round byes

Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami, Oregon, Alabama make moves in latest CFP projections

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Latest CFP projections shows Alabama's gain is FSU's save. For now

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama's big road win over No. 3 Georgia

Projecting 2025 College Football Playoff field