College Football Playoff Rankings 2019: Projected final Top 25

For the second straight season, Appalachian State secured the Sun Belt championship on their home turf at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone. Last year the Mountaineers toppled Louisiana by 11. In the 2019 title rematch, the Ragin’ Cajuns made it even more interesting as they pulled within a touchdown but failed to put together an effective onside kick. App State prevailed 45-38 in front of a sympathetic crowd to press their Group of Five case.

Daetrich Harrington, Marcus Williams Jr., and Darrynton Evans each ran for at least 70 yards and a touchdown. Zac Thomas threw for 149 yards and a pair of scores. While Louisiana pushed the Mountaineers all night long, an 18-point halftime lead proved enough to ensure the title stayed in Boone.

If not for the Halloween loss to perennial nemesis Georgia Southern, we would be talking about Appalachian State as a near-lock to reach the New Year’s Six and go to the Cotton Bowl. Instead, after that collapse against the Eagles, Eliah Drinkwitz’s team is left to rue what might have been after securing Power Five wins over ACC and SEC opponents. The College Football Playoff selection committee will bump them up a spot or two into the top 20 as a consolation.