College Football Playoff Rankings: Top 25 Teams Before Final Bracket
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee is about to drop its final top 25 rankings, and the tension’s real. The 2025 season’s 12-team playoff bracket is almost set, but the bubble’s crowded—Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami are all hanging on by a thread for a shot.
With the committee’s choices looming, college football fans are bracing for some big changes. Nobody really knows how this will shake out, and that’s half the fun, right?
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Top Contenders for the College Football Playoff
There’s a lot at stake here. The final rankings decide seven at-large bids and five automatic qualifiers, so every win and loss matters more than ever.
Let’s dig into the top teams and how they got here. It’s been a wild ride for some of them.
Indiana Hoosiers: The Unbeaten Top Seed
Indiana’s the only unbeaten left, sitting pretty with a 13-0 record. Their win over Ohio State—first since 1988, if you can believe it—earned them the top seed and a bye to the Rose Bowl.
Curt Cignetti’s crew has just looked tough all season. They’ve been rolling over opponents, and it’s honestly impressive.
Ohio State Buckeyes: A Strong Contender Despite a Setback
Ohio State’s 12-1 and still a powerhouse, even after dropping the Big Ten Championship. That early-season dominance hasn’t faded, and everyone knows they’re still dangerous.
Ryan Day’s squad is eyeing another national title. Expectations are sky-high, as usual.
Georgia Bulldogs: Defensive Prowess
Georgia, led by Kirby Smart, finished 12-1 and keeps prepping for the big moments. Their defense has been the story, especially in wins over Texas, Georgia Tech, and Alabama.
They’re not a team anyone wants to see in the postseason. That defense just doesn’t quit.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Late-Game Surge
Texas Tech’s defense showed up big, turning a close Big 12 Championship against BYU into a blowout. That second-half explosion caught the committee’s eye, pushing them up to 12-1.
The Red Raiders can pile up points when they’re hot. They might surprise a few people yet.
Teams on the Bubble
So who’s snagging those last at-large spots? Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami are sweating it out, while BYU’s hopes pretty much vanished after a tough loss.
Let’s size up the bubble hopefuls and what they bring to the table.
Alabama Crimson Tide: A Mixed Season
Alabama’s 10-3, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing. That 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC title game raised some eyebrows, and people are questioning their spot.
Kalen DeBoer’s talking up the team’s grit, though. Two regular-season wins over ranked teams—including Georgia—give them a decent argument.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Consistency Over Head-to-Head
Notre Dame’s 10-2 and still in the mix. Sure, they lost to Miami, but the committee keeps ranking them ahead of the Hurricanes.
Their schedule was no joke. That’s probably what’s keeping them alive in this conversation.
Miami Hurricanes: On the Edge
Miami’s also 10-2 but stuck on the outside looking in. Missing the ACC title hurt, and now their fate’s up to the committee.
They did almost everything right. But without that conference crown, it’s a tough sell.
Teams Securing Their Spots
While the bubble’s tense, a handful of teams have already locked in their playoff spots. Here’s a quick look at who’s in and how they got there.
Oregon Ducks: Building a Strong Case
Oregon’s 11-1 and avoided a Big Ten logjam at the top. Their only loss was to Indiana, but they closed strong with four wins over bowl-bound teams in November.
Dan Lanning’s second year has been impressive. They’ve earned that home game in the first round.
Ole Miss Rebels: Dominant Performances
Ole Miss, also 11-1, bounced back after losing to Georgia. They hammered Tulane by 35 and grabbed a big road win at Oklahoma.
Even with Lane Kiffin gone, their résumé looks solid for a home playoff game.
Texas A&M Aggies: A Dual-Threat Quarterback
Texas A&M’s 11-1, though that loss to Texas stung. Still, with Marcel Reed running the show at quarterback, they’re a tough out.
Honestly, nobody should be shocked if they make a deep run.
Oklahoma Sooners: Overcoming Challenges
Oklahoma’s 10-2, and that schedule was brutal. They even took down Michigan in a marquee nonconference game.
Brent Venables’ squad fought for every inch. They’ve earned their place in the 12-team bracket, no doubt about it.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee is about to reveal its final rankings. There’s a real buzz in the air—everyone’s waiting to see how it’ll shake out.
These choices will set the tone for the rest of the season. Which teams will get their shot at the national title?
Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech have locked in their spots. Meanwhile, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami are still on the bubble, hoping for some good news.
Honestly, it’s hard not to get caught up in the anticipation. If you want more details or just can’t wait for the latest updates, check out the full article on CBS Sports.
