The Texas Football League (CF25)

[RayLenearl]

The College Football Playoff committee has announced the 12-team field for the 2030 national championship tournament, with ACC Champion Syracuse (12-1) earning the top overall seed after their 35-33 victory over Miami in the conference championship game.

Five conference champions earned automatic qualification, with the top four receiving first-round byes:

Automatic Qualifiers:

#1 Syracuse (12-1) - ACC Champion
#2 TEXAS A&M (12-1) - Texas Big 12 Champion
#4 Oregon (13-0) - Mountain West Champion
#5 LSU (11-2) - SEC Champion
#10 East Carolina (11-2) - AAC Champion



First Round Matchups:

#12 NORTH TEXAS (9-4) at #5 Ole Miss (10-2)
#9 Ohio State (10-3) at #8 Missouri (9-3)
#11 Alabama (9-3) at #6 Penn State (10-2)
#10 East Carolina (11-2) at #7 North Carolina (10-2)

The first round games will be played on December 20-21, with the winners advancing to face the top seeds in the quarterfinals:

Quarterfinal Pairings:

NORTH TEXAS/Ole Miss winner vs. #4 LSU
Ohio State/Missouri winner vs. #1 Syracuse
Alabama/Penn State winner vs. #3 Oregon
East Carolina/North Carolina winner vs. #2 TEXAS A&M

All quarterfinal games will be played at bowl sites, with the semifinals and national championship game following in subsequent weeks. The national champion will be crowned at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.



First Teams Out

#13 Georgia (8-4)
#14 Miami (9-4)

Two traditional football powers, #13 Georgia (8-4) and #14 Miami (9-4), finished just outside the 12-team College Football Playoff field despite their strong rankings in the final poll.

Georgia's SEC pedigree and strong strength of schedule kept them highly ranked but four losses may have cost them a bid.

Miami's exclusion comes with particular sting after their narrow 35-33 loss to #1 Syracuse in the ACC Championship game. The Hurricanes' strong showing against the tournament's top seed wasn't enough to beat out #12 North Texas (9-4) for the final at-large spot.

Overall, the College Football Playoff committee's final rankings aligned perfectly with their playoff selections, as all teams ranked 1-12 made the tournament field with only minor seeding adjustments to accommodate conference champions. The playoff bracket maintains competitive balance while respecting both the automatic qualifiers and the original rankings.

[RayLenearl]

College Football Playoff First Round

Ohio State (#9) vs. Missouri (#8) | Fri, Dec 20, 3:30 PM
NORTH TEXAS (#12) vs. Ole Miss (#3) | Fri, Dec 20, 8:00 PM
Alabama (#11) vs. Penn State (#6) | Sat, Dec 21, 12:00 PM
East Carolina (#10) vs. North Carolina (#7) | Sat, Dec 21, 8:00 PM

New Year's Six Bowls

Rose Bowl: LSU (#5) vs. TBD | Wed, Jan 1, 8:00 PM
Peach Bowl: Syracuse (#1) vs. TBD | Thu, Jan 2, 12:00 PM
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon (#4) vs. TBD | Thu, Jan 2, 5:00 PM
Sugar Bowl: TEXAS A&M (#2) vs. TBD | Thu, Jan 2, 8:00 PM

December Bowls

Bahamas Bowl: Old Dominion vs. Middle Tennessee St | Fri, Dec 20, 12:00 PM
Cure Bowl: Akron vs. South Alabama | Fri, Dec 20, 6:00 PM
Fenway Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Charlotte | Sat, Dec 21, 11:00 AM
New Mexico Bowl: Liberty vs. BYU | Sat, Dec 21, 2:15 PM
68 Ventures Bowl: Bowling Green vs. Southern Mississippi | Sat, Dec 21, 5:45 PM
LA Bowl: Nebraska (#15) vs. Wyoming | Sat, Dec 21, 7:30 PM
Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs. USF | Sat, Dec 21, 7:30 PM
Las Vegas Bowl: TEXAS TECH vs. Wisconsin (#19) | Sat, Dec 21, 10:30 PM
Myrtle Beach Bowl: USC (#18) vs. Ohio | Mon, Dec 23, 2:30 PM
Boca Raton Bowl: Virginia vs. Navy | Tue, Dec 24, 11:00 AM
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Florida International vs. Washington State | Tue, Dec 24, 3:30 PM
New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky | Tue, Dec 24, 9:15 PM
Detroit Bowl: Iowa State vs. Miami University | Thu, Dec 26, 11:00 AM
Armed Forces Bowl: California vs. UNLV | Thu, Dec 26, 8:00 PM
Independence Bowl: Maryland vs. Eastern Michigan | Fri, Dec 27, 3:30 PM
Gasparilla Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Clemson | Fri, Dec 27, 7:00 PM
Hawaii Bowl: Oregon State vs. Marshall (#25) | Sat, Dec 28, 8:00 PM
Birmingham Bowl: Troy vs. Miami (#14) | Tue, Dec 31, 12:00 PM
Camellia Bowl: Ball State (#22) vs. Appalachian State | Tue, Dec 31, 2:30 PM
Military Bowl: UCF vs. Louisville | Tue, Dec 31, 2:30 PM
First Responder Bowl: Tulsa vs. Coastal Carolina | Tue, Dec 31, 3:15 PM
Liberty Bowl: Memphis vs. BAYLOR | Tue, Dec 31, 6:45 PM
Holiday Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Rutgers | Tue, Dec 31, 8:00 PM
Texas Bowl: Tennessee (#17) vs. UT EL PASO | Tue, Dec 31, 9:00 PM
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: UCLA (#21) vs. Hawaii | Tue, Dec 31, 10:15 PM

January Bowls

Reliaquest Bowl: Michigan State (#16) vs. South Carolina | Thu, Jan 2, 12:00 PM
Citrus Bowl: Purdue vs. Florida (#21) | Thu, Jan 2, 1:00 PM
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Michigan vs. NC State (#20) | Thu, Jan 2, 5:45 PM
Alamo Bowl: Iowa vs. SOUTHERN METHODIST (#24) | Thu, Jan 2, 9:15 PM
Gator Bowl: Georgia (#13) vs. Washington | Fri, Jan 3, 11:00 AM
Duke's Mayo Bowl: Kansas State vs. Auburn | Fri, Jan 3, 12:00 PM
Sun Bowl: Minnesota vs. Toledo | Fri, Jan 3, 12:00 PM
Arizona Bowl: Buffalo vs. Arizona State | Fri, Jan 3, 2:00 PM
Music City Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Illinois | Sat, Jan 4, 3:00 PM

[RayLenearl]

HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST

Kadeem Clements (Ole Miss, WR, SR)
Leo Ankrah (Ohio State, QB, SO)
George Mevis (Syracuse, QB, SR)
Rudy Hart (Ohio State, WR, SR)
Mike Hill (Ole Miss, QB, SR)

NATIONAL ALL-AMERICANS

First Team Offense:

QB: Leo Ankrah (Ohio State)
HB: Tremaine Stromberg (Penn State)
HB: Carl Bowanko (TEXAS A&M)
WR: Kadeem Clements (Ole Miss)
WR: Rudy Hart (Ohio State)
WR: Jimmy Hawkinson (USC)
TE: Alexander Whitehurst (Liberty)
LT: Kareem Robert (Penn State)
LG: Adrian Hammer (Toledo)
C: James Byham (Oregon)
RG: Julian Jewell (Alabama)
RT: Vai Yamini (Arkansas)
LE: Carl Sowells (Tennessee)

First Team Defense:

RE: Josh Coat (Western Kentucky)
DT: Gage McPhearson (Michigan)
DT: Troy Thomas (Illinois)
LOLB: Tye Stingley (Miami)
MLB: Cortez Wooden (Tennessee)
ROLB: Tyrell Browning (TEXAS A&M)
CB: Mac Petty (Marshall)
CB: Damarious Weller (Michigan State)
FS: Raymond Martindale (Florida)
SS: Tyree Paschal (Clemson)
K: Conrad Setterstrom (LSU)
P: Charles Mixon (Toledo)

Second Team Offense:

QB: Isaac Easley (California)
HB: John Kempfert (Utah)
HB: Jimmy Ramos (Ohio State)
WR: Greg Church (Tulane)
WR: Gideon Igbinoghene (Miami)
WR: Rocky Walton (Florida International)
TE: Josh Barkow (Michigan)
LT: Chauncey Schraeder (Arkansas)
LG: Timote Jewel (Michigan)
C: Mike Bartel (Penn State)
RG: Dorian Monty (Michigan State)
RT: Jake Garland (USC)

Second Team Defense:

LE: DaShaun Yarborough (Alabama)
RE: Quin Hester (Ohio State)
DT: Zac Thrash (Georgia)
DT: Nate Meadows (Michigan State)
LOLB: Lee Wonnum (Florida)
MLB: Cam Trahan (Alabama)
ROLB: Matthew Moffett (Georgia)
CB: Kevin Farris (Florida State)
CB: Antoine Farrior (TCU)
FS: Telvin Benshaw (Ohio State)
SS: Deontae Dickens (Syracuse)
K: Eddie Rice (UTSA)
P: Trey Devey (California)

TEXAS BIG 12 ALL-AMERICANS



First Team Offense:

QB: Layne Castonzo (SMU)
HB: Carl Bowanko (Texas A&M)
HB: Joshua Nunez (Texas Tech)
WR: Cortez Melton (North Texas)
WR: Sateki Little (Texas)
WR: George Hagg (Texas A&M)
TE: Josh Foster (TCU)
LT: Jermaine Menzie (SMU)
LG: Zach Farmer (Texas State)
C: Anthony Fuentes (TCU)
RG: Jermaine Gage (Texas)
RT: D.J. Landman (SMU)

First Team Defense:

LE: Luis Phenix (SMU)
RE: Carlos Tejeda (Sam Houston)
DT: Russ Koppen (Texas State)
DT: Korbin Morton (Texas A&M)
LOLB: Tahj Ragas (Sam Houston)
MLB: Alex Spann (SMU)
ROLB: Tyrell Browning (Texas A&M)
CB: Antoine Farrior (TCU)
CB: Everett Boyd (Texas A&M)
FS: Tyrell Troup (Texas A&M)
SS: Taylor Pitts (Texas A&M)
K: Eddie Rice (UTSA)
P: Mafu Timu (Baylor)

Second Team Offense:

QB: Ricardo Beckner (Baylor)
HB: Daniel Cleveland (Texas)
HB: Tito Cantrell (Baylor)
WR: George Cantrell (North Texas)
WR: J.P. Cleveland (Texas Tech)
WR: Jason Cooks (SMU)
TE: Kadeem Garner (Texas A&M)
LT: Joe Lozano (UTSA)
LG: Tyree Allen (UTSA)
C: George Garcon (Baylor)
RG: Tyler Rich (Texas A&M)
RT: Enrique Jurevicius (North Texas)

Second Team Defense:

LE: John Estrada (TCU)
RE: Caesar Bighill (Texas Tech)
DT: Jermaine Shudak (Texas State)
DT: Junior LeVoir (Texas Tech)
LOLB: Lionel Shembo (North Texas)
MLB: Tyronne Kahn (SMU)
ROLB: James Cardoza (Texas Tech)
CB: Jesus Valles (Texas A&M)
CB: Jacquez Thomas (North Texas)
FS: Miles Agude (UTSA)
SS: Gregory Shorter (Texas Tech)
K: Paul Robbins (North Texas)
P: Jamal Holyfield (Texas Tech)

All-Freshman Team Offense:

QB: Tyreke Keyes (UTSA)
HB: James Portilla (UTEP)
HB: Andre Kumerow (Baylor)
WR: Danny Van Demark (UTEP)
WR: Alex Jameson (Texas State)
WR: Shaq Barr (TCU)
TE: Curtis Nash (Texas)
LT: Brian Estrella (Texas Tech)
LG: Damien Falah (UTSA)
C: Ramon Bercovici (SMU)
RG: Chad Shields (SMU)
RT: George Choice (Texas)

All-Freshman Team Defense:

LE: Daniel Machado (Texas A&M)
RE: Brad Neuzil (Texas A&M)
DT: Tremaine Abiamiri (Baylor)
DT: Steve Villa (SMU)
LOLB: Tyler Thrasher (Sam Houston)
MLB: Lavonta Spriggs (SMU)
ROLB: Eric Ruggs (SMU)
CB: James Moon (Texas State)
CB: Xavier Yates (Sam Houston)
FS: Dwayne Ruggs (Texas)
SS: David Lutrus (Texas)
K: Braydon Snead (TCU)
P: Forrest Weaver (TCU)

[RayLenearl]

Texas A&M led the way in the 2030 college football season with four national award winners, showcasing the strength of the inaugural Texas Big 12 conference on the national stage. The Aggies' impressive haul included the nation's top running back, linebacker, defensive back, and tight end.

Major Awards:

Heisman Trophy & Player of the Year

Winner: Kadeem Clements (WR, Ole Miss)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Tyrell Browning (Texas A&M) finished in the Top 10 voting
Notable: Clements topped a strong field including QBs from Ohio State, Syracuse, and Ole Miss

Lombardi Award (Best Defensive Lineman)

Winner: Danny Wade (LE, Syracuse)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Josh Mond (Texas A&M) - 10th place

Lou Groza Award (Best Kicker)

Winner: Kahlil Darnell (Louisiana Tech)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Eddie Rice (UTSA) - 3rd place

Position Awards:

Best Running Back

Winner: Carl Bowanko (Texas A&M)
Notable: First major award winner for Texas A&M in the new conference

Best Defensive Back

Winner: Jesus Valles (Texas A&M)
Notable: Led a secondary that helped A&M to a #2 national ranking

Best Linebacker

Winner: Tyrell Browning (Texas A&M)
Notable: Also finished in top 10 of Heisman voting

Best Tight End

Winner: Kadeem Garner (Texas A&M)
Runner-up: Josh Barkow (Michigan)

Best Special Teams Returner

Winner: Oscar Johnson (Penn State)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: James Marciano (Texas) - 5th place

Best Center

Winner: Tim Toeaina (Missouri)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Jamie Gonzalez (Texas A&M) - 11th place

Best Defensive End

Winner: Danny Wade (Syracuse)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Sam McCaskill (North Texas) - 5th place

Coaching Awards:

Head Coach of the Year

Winner: Tristan Stanley (Oregon)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Keith Burgess (Texas A&M) - 5th place

Broyles Award (Best Assistant Coach)

Winner: Peppo Mueller (Oregon)
Top Texas Big 12 Finisher: Colt Brazos (Texas A&M) - 10th place

Conference Impact

The Texas Big 12's inaugural season was marked by exceptional individual performances, particularly from Texas A&M. The Aggies' four national award winners demonstrated the conference's immediate impact on the national stage. While Texas A&M dominated the individual awards, other conference members like UTSA, North Texas, and Texas also had players finish in the top 10 of various awards, showing the depth of talent across the new conference.

The success of Texas A&M's players in particular validated the program's move to the new conference, as they maintained their national prominence while competing in the state-centric league. Their achievements, combined with their #2 national ranking, helped establish the Texas Big 12 as a power conference in its first year of existence.