Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) celebrates with offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium.

We’ll remember this wild weekend by one play above all else, and how it was a microcosm of Alabama’s return to the heart of the College Football Playoff race.

Massive man-child Kadyn Proctor, Alabama’s star offensive tackle, catching a perimeter screen pass as an eligible wide receiver.

Then rumbling over everyone (including Georgia) who thought Alabama was dead.

“I told (Alabama quarterback) Ty (Simpson) earlier this week, you better get it to me, man,” Proctor said.

Said Simpson: “I told him he better catch it.”

That one play underscored the enormity of the moment for Alabama, and in a funky, CFP sort of way, kept Florida State safe in the playoff chase.

For a week, anyway.

Because no matter how good Florida State's win over Alabama in the season opener looks, the loss to Virginia last Friday eliminated some wiggle room for the Noles. Especially with Miami coming to Tallahassee on Saturday.

If Miami beats the Noles, FSU’s path to the CFP more than likely becomes winning the ACC or bust.

Projecting 2025 College Football Playoff field

1. Miami: Imagine locking in the top seed in the CFP by the end of September. Welcome to Miami’s world, everyone. Up next: at Florida State.

2. Oklahoma: What’s the angst about dynamic backup QB Michael Hawkins replacing injured star John Mateer? Maybe — and I’m just throwing this out there — Hawkins needed proper coaching, too. Up next: vs. Kent State.

3. Oregon: We wanted answers, we got them. A huge win in a rare environment — and QB Dante Moore is quickly growing into an elite player. Up next: bye week.

4. Ohio State: The defense is fabulous, the offense is a work in progress. Give QB Julian Sayin time, he’ll be a star. Up next: vs. Minnesota.

5. Florida State: Let's not get ahead of ourselves and call what FSU did to Alabama an "outlier." If anything, FSU stumbling to Virginia was the outlier. Up next. vs. Miami.

6. Alabama: We’ve gone from searching for $70 million to buy out Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, to the realization this team has a high ceiling in a brutal conference race. Up next: vs. Vanderbilt.

7. Georgia: But for a missed Tennessee field goal, we’d be talking about Georgia’s inability of late to defend the pass in big games. Up next: vs. Kentucky.

8. Indiana: Welcome to playing a real schedule, Hoosiers. There’s no room for a letdown, especially against the most underrated assistant coach in college football (Iowa DC Norm Parker). Up next: bye week.

9. Ole Miss: Another step in the maturation of Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss. Rebels proved they could win a physical slugfest, and will get two more chances on the road (Georgia, Oklahoma). Up next: bye week.

10. Texas Tech: Don’t be ridiculous, Behren Morton is Tech’s quarterback. Will Hammond is a talented backup who teams haven’t schemed yet. Up next: at Houston.

11. Penn State: There’s redemption on the horizon (at Ohio State, vs. Indiana), but Lions have lost significant juice. Up next: at UCLA.

12. South Florida: The further the Bulls are removed from Boise State and Florida wins, the more we need to see impressive wins with little doubt. Up next: vs. Charlotte.

First round games

No. 12 USF at No. 5 Florida State

No. 11 Penn State at No. 6 Alabama

No.10 Texas Tech at No. 7 Georgia

No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 8 Indiana

First round byes

Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Latest CFP projections shows Alabama's gain is FSU's save. For now

Reporting by Matt Hayes, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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