Boise State punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff with a resounding 21-7 victory over UNLV in the Mountain West championship game on Friday night. This win secures their place in the inaugural 12-team playoff format.

Ashton Jeanty, the Broncos' star running back, delivered another exceptional performance, rushing for 209 yards and a touchdown. This marks his sixth game this season with over 200 rushing yards, bringing his season total to a remarkable 2,497 yards. This impressive feat places him fourth on the FBS all-time single-season rushing list, trailing only legendary names like Barry Sanders, Melvin Gordon, and Kevin Smith. Jeanty also concluded the regular season with an impressive 29 rushing touchdowns.

Jeanty's 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter set the tone for Boise State, showcasing his explosive ability. This was his 12th run of 50 yards or more this season, highlighting his consistent big-play potential.

The Broncos are expected to maintain or even improve upon their current No. 10 ranking when the final College Football Playoff rankings are released on Sunday. This positioning likely guarantees them a first-round bye, a significant advantage in the playoff race, along with the added financial benefit of $4 million.

The Big 12 championship game between No. 15 Arizona State and No. 16 Iowa State adds another layer of intrigue to the playoff picture. The victor will secure a playoff berth, but earning a first-round bye requires not only a convincing win but also a loss by No. 8 SMU, who face No. 17 Clemson. This scenario has already sparked debate and controversy regarding the selection process.

With conference championship games concluding, the complete playoff bracket for the expanded format will finally be revealed. Undefeated Oregon has already secured a spot but faces No. 3 Penn State for the Big Ten title and a first-round bye. A Penn State victory could potentially propel them to the top seed.

The SEC championship game features No. 2 Texas against No. 5 Georgia, with the winner securing a bye and the loser potentially facing a challenging road game in the first round. This matchup raises the possibility of teams facing each other three times in a single season.

Alabama remains a strong contender for a playoff spot, despite their No. 11 ranking. Their position ahead of Miami suggests they are likely to remain in contention, potentially giving the Southeastern Conference four teams in the playoff. This scenario has fueled discussions about the selection criteria and the potential impact on other conferences.

Several teams, including No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 9 Indiana, await the final rankings to determine their playoff fate. Notre Dame is projected to host a first-round game, while Indiana is likely to play on the road. Meanwhile, No. 6 Ohio State and No. 7 Tennessee are projected to face off in a first-round game in Columbus, Ohio.