With the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings releasing their penultimate update on Tuesday, the excitement and drama surrounding the college football postseason reached a fever pitch. The weekend’s upsets stirred things up, leaving fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipating how the playoff committee would respond. Two of the biggest shifts came for Ohio State and Miami, two teams who had long been among the most talked-about in the race for a playoff spot.
Ohio State, once sitting comfortably at No. 2, saw its hopes for a top-tier seed dashed after a crushing loss to Michigan. The Buckeyes, who had been a top contender for a potential College Football Playoff berth, slipped four spots to No. 6 in the latest rankings. Now, they find themselves looking at a first-round game but still in a position to host it. Meanwhile, Miami’s prospects took a hit after its loss to Syracuse, causing the Hurricanes to drop five places to No. 12, just behind Alabama but still ahead of other three-loss teams like Mississippi and South Carolina. For Miami, the possibility of an at-large berth has become much more uncertain.
The latest rankings have set the stage for the final stretch of the season, with championship games and bowl matchups shaping up to be thrilling. Let’s break down how the College Football Playoff picture has evolved and what fans can expect in the weeks leading up to the championship game.
Ohio State’s Fall, Miami’s Struggles, and Alabama’s Resurgence
The spotlight this week was on how Ohio State and Miami would fare after their disappointing losses. Ohio State, ranked No. 2 last week, fell four places after its loss to Michigan, dropping to No. 6. While their ranking assures that they will likely host a first-round playoff game, the question now is whether they can rebound in time to make a serious run at the championship. The Buckeyes now sit behind teams like Texas and Oregon, who remain firmly in the hunt for the coveted top spots.
Miami, on the other hand, took a hard fall from No. 6 to No. 12 after its unexpected loss to Syracuse. Despite an impressive regular season, their dreams of a high-seed playoff berth are now significantly dimmed. The Hurricanes’ loss not only dropped them five spots but also saw them fall behind Alabama, which is now sitting in the No. 11 spot. With the upcoming conference championships still to be played, Miami’s chances of securing an at-large berth look slimmer, though they still have a glimmer of hope if other results fall in their favor.
As a result of these shake-ups, Alabama is now positioned to make a potential at-large playoff spot, something that seemed uncertain just a few weeks ago. The Crimson Tide have battled injuries and controversies throughout the season but could still sneak into the playoff mix if they win out and other teams stumble.
Oregon Holds Strong at No. 1; Texas Moves Up to No. 2
While Ohio State and Miami’s missteps created drama, one team continued to dominate: Oregon. The Ducks have been atop the rankings since the first CFP poll was released on November 5, and they remain in that position this week with a perfect 12-0 record. Oregon is set to face off against No. 3 Penn State in the upcoming Big Ten Championship game, a matchup that could solidify their claim to the top seed heading into the playoff.
Texas, which has quietly put together a stellar 11-1 season, also moved up one spot to No. 2, inching closer to Oregon. The Longhorns will take on No. 5 Georgia in the SEC Championship, and a win could secure their place as one of the top two seeds, potentially giving them a first-round bye and a chance to avoid facing some of the toughest competition in the early rounds.
The move up for Texas signals the growing momentum of the Longhorns under coach Steve Sarkisian, who has delivered an impressive season in his second year. If Texas can overcome Georgia and claim the SEC title, they may just push their way into the top spot—if Oregon falters in their own title game.
Notre Dame at No. 4 and the Battle for First-Round Byes
Notre Dame, which has quietly gone about its business with an 11-1 record, holds steady at No. 4 in the rankings. After a decisive win against USC last week, the Fighting Irish are in a favorable position to host a first-round playoff game. With their season now concluded, Notre Dame is left to wait and watch as other championship games unfold. They’re in a strong position, but their exact seeding will depend on how the final conference games shake out.
Meanwhile, teams like No. 7 Tennessee, No. 8 SMU, and No. 9 Indiana are also battling for favorable positions in the rankings, as each hopes to avoid an early-round matchup with some of the more powerful programs like Oregon or Texas. Tennessee, in particular, has had a strong season, finishing with a 10-2 record. However, their placement behind both Ohio State and Notre Dame means they will likely need to continue winning in order to secure a better spot.
Group of Five and Mountain West Powerhouses
Boise State, ranked No. 10, has emerged as the highest-ranked team from the Group of Five conferences. With an 11-1 record, the Broncos are making a statement about the strength of their program, and with a win in the Mountain West Championship against No. 20 UNLV, they could secure a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoff field.
Boise State’s strong season has brought attention to the potential of non-Power Five schools, and they could continue to make waves in the postseason if they manage to stay ahead of teams from the Big 12 and other conferences. The Mountain West is one of the few conferences with two teams in the Top 25, alongside the American Athletic Conference, which features teams like Army and Memphis.
Looking Ahead: The 12-Team Playoff Is Coming.
The Tuesday rankings represent the final update before the unveiling of the 12-team College Football Playoff field, which will be revealed on December 8. For the first time, the expanded field will give more teams a shot at the national title, but with only the top four seeds getting a bye, every team will be fighting for a favorable position in the bracket.
As we approach championship weekend, the stakes could not be higher. First-round games will take place at campus sites on December 20 and 21, with the higher seeds hosting their opponents. These matchups are shaping up to be must-watch events for college football fans, with teams like Texas, Oregon, and Penn State all in the mix for the top spots.
The Road to the Championship
Once the first-round games are completed, the Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Peach Bowl will host the quarterfinals on December 31 and January 1. The Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl will follow, with the semifinals set for January 9 and 10. The national championship game will take place on January 20 in Atlanta, where one team will finally claim the coveted title.
Top 25 CFP Rankings (As of Tuesday)
- Oregon (12-0)
- Texas (11-1)
- Penn State (11-1)
- Notre Dame (11-1)
- Georgia (10-2)
- Ohio State (10-2)
- Tennessee (10-2)
- SMU (11-1)
- Indiana (11-1)
- Boise State (11-1)
- Alabama (9-3)
- Miami (10-2)
- Mississippi (9-3)
- South Carolina (9-3)
- Arizona State (10-2)
- Iowa State (10-2)
- Clemson (9-3)
- Brigham Young (10-2)
- Missouri (9-3)
- UNLV (10-2)
- Illinois (9-3)
- Syracuse (9-3)
- Colorado (9-3)
- Army (10-1)
- Memphis (10-2)
