With three weeks left in the regular season, the NCAA's official website picked a winner in all 10 FBS conferences, and the Memphis Tigers were its choice in the American Conference.
The writer noted that the College Football Playoff is moving to a 24-team format for the 2027-28 season, meaning conference championship games are coming to an end in multiple conferences. That could make this season the last for several title games.
In the American, North Texas is undefeated with the league's top offense, but its defense ranks near the bottom of the conference and has allowed five opponents to score 39 or more points. the NCAA's official website said Memphis has a tough road game at South Florida this week, followed by Navy and Temple, two teams with losing records. The Tigers have the third-best scoring offense in the American, the most interceptions in the conference and the fourth-most sacks, and the NCAA's official website likes them in a potential title game against North Texas.
In the SEC, the pick was Georgia, which has one conference loss, to Auburn, while every other team has at least two. the NCAA's official website called Tennessee the biggest threat to the Bulldogs, but noted the Volunteers have lost twice. "Georgia is the safest option in a chaotic SEC," the article said.
The rest of the picks were Miami in the ACC, Utah in the Big 12, Oregon in the Big Ten over UCLA in a rematch, Liberty in Conference USA, Toledo in the MAC, New Mexico in the Mountain West, Boise State in the revamped Pac-12 and Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt.
The Boise State pick has a Memphis connection. the NCAA's official website noted the Broncos beat Memphis during their eight-game winning streak.
Memphis plays at South Florida on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT, and No. 9 Tennessee plays at Texas A&M on Saturday.
Sources: the NCAA's official website