Author: Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY

Picking a QB to lift the Heisman Trophy is always a safe bet: 17 have won the award since 2000. Choosing a player from Alabama is also smart.

The final USA TODAY Sports NCAA Re-Rank of the regular season has a new leader. Alabama takes over for Georgia at the top, followed by Cincinnati.

College Football Playoff committee gifted controversy-free semifinal field, but didn’t show much respect for Baylor. BYU misses out on New Year’s Six.

Pittsburgh, Northern Illinois, Utah State and Louisiana-Lafayette win conference championships. San Diego State loses grip on New Year’s Six bowl.

Alabama’s win against Georgia will send both teams to the playoff and create the possibility of the second SEC-on-SEC championship game.

If Saturday’s conference title games go as expected, Georgia, Michigan, Cincinnati and Oklahoma State probably advance. Upsets could lead to chaos.

Marcus Freeman, 35, who received loud and vocal support from the Fighting Irish roster, is finishing his first season as defensive coordinator.

After leading Alabama to an overtime win against Auburn, second-year quarterback Bryce Young remains the player to beat in the Heisman race.

There is no debate over which six teams top the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings of the season. The question instead is over the order.

Michigan surged in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll after its defeat of Ohio State, while Georgia and Cincinnati still hold top two spots.