In the final week of the regular season, Rivalry Week lived up to its name, as several teams faced upset threats that could have potentially shifted the playoff race. However, highly-ranked teams such as Washington, Florida State, Alabama, and Georgia managed to survive and maintain their positions in the rankings. Notably, Kentucky pulled off a major upset, defeating Louisville on the road for their first top-10 victory since 1977, resulting in a drop in Louisville's ranking.

Michigan recorded a signature win against Ohio State, while Georgia had a lackluster outing against Georgia Tech. These outcomes slightly impacted the Bulldogs' lead in the rankings, although they still hold the top spot. Georgia's share of first-place votes decreased from 61 to 52, with Michigan receiving the remaining 10 first-place votes, including from one of the writers.

Looking ahead, the conference championship games are expected to have a significant impact on the rankings. Seven teams from the AP top 10 will be competing for their respective conference titles. The Pac-12 will witness a top-five showdown between No. 3 Washington and No. 5 Oregon, marking the first time the conference championship game will feature two top-five teams.

In the SEC, top-ranked Georgia will face off against No. 8 Alabama in a highly anticipated matchup. A victory for the Crimson Tide could potentially end the Bulldogs' No. 1 streak and create an opportunity for Michigan to claim the top spot in the rankings for the first time since 1997. However, Washington also has a chance to make a statement if they can defeat Oregon once again.

Other ranked teams set to play in the conference championship games include No. 2 Michigan against No. 18 Iowa for the Big Ten title, No. 4 Florida State against No. 15 Louisville for the ACC title, No. 7 Texas against No. 19 Oklahoma State for the Big 12 title, No. 17 Tulane against No. 25 SMU for the AAC title, No. 20 Liberty against New Mexico State for the Conference USA title, and No. 23 Toledo against Miami (OH) for the MAC title. Notably, neither the Mountain West nor Sun Belt championship games feature ranked teams, with the latter affected by James Madison's ineligibility.

As the conference championship games approach, college football fans eagerly await the outcomes and how they will impact the final rankings. It remains to be seen whether Georgia can continue its stronghold on the top spot or if other contenders will make a push for the coveted No. 1 ranking.