Ohio State Tops CFP Rankings, Texas Tech Climbs Higher
The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are out, and the playoff picture is starting to sharpen up as the regular season winds down. Ohio State is still holding onto the top spot, with Indiana right behind them. The competition feels like it’s really picking up steam now.
This post digs into the highlights from the second CFP rankings release, the shifts in the top 10, and what all this means for the playoff bracket. There’s also a new playoff format this year, so let’s see how that’s shaking things up for the teams involved.
Contents
Top Teams Hold Steady
The second CFP rankings came out on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and honestly, there weren’t a ton of surprises this time. Ohio State, last year’s champs, are still No. 1. They’re just three games away from a perfect regular season and a spot in the Big Ten title game.
Chasing them is Indiana, who managed to stay unbeaten after a wild, last-minute win over Penn State. That was a game worth watching, if you ask me.
Ohio State and Indiana Lead the Pack
Ohio State’s been dominant, no question, and their ranking really shows that. Indiana’s kind of the surprise here—they’ve been tough, gritty, and honestly more skilled than folks expected.
These two are setting the tone for college football right now. Their rivalry is adding a little extra spark to the season, too.
Texas A&M and SEC Powerhouses
Texas A&M is the only other unbeaten team in the Bowl Subdivision, hanging tight at No. 3 after a solid win at Missouri. Right behind them are SEC rivals Alabama and Georgia, rounding out the top five.
The SEC’s depth is something else this year. It’s hard to imagine a playoff picture without at least a couple of these teams in the mix.
Changes in the Top 10
The top five didn’t budge, but the rest of the top 10 saw a little shakeup. Texas Tech jumped up two spots to No. 6 after knocking off previously unbeaten Brigham Young, which was a statement win.
That loss sent Brigham Young tumbling down to No. 12. Oregon also moved up to No. 8 after squeaking out a win over Iowa on the road.
Notre Dame and Texas Gain Ground
Notre Dame and Texas both climbed a spot, finishing out the top 10. They’ve shown some real grit lately, and their recent games have put them in a good spot for a strong finish.
If they keep it up, who knows how far they’ll go?
Group of Five Representation
The Group of Five conferences have been scrapping hard, but only South Florida from the American Athletic Conference made it into the top 25 at No. 24. The highest-ranked champ from these leagues gets a playoff spot, so there’s plenty at stake for them.
It adds a layer of suspense that’s honestly pretty fun to watch.
New Playoff Format
This year’s playoff format is different. The four highest-rated conference champs don’t get automatic first-round byes anymore.
Now, the committee seeds all the teams, including the top five conference champs, and hands out byes to the four best teams, no matter what league they’re from. It’s a little more cutthroat, if you ask me.
First-Round Matchups
The first round gets played on campus, which is always a cool vibe. Here’s how the matchups look:
- No. 12 South Florida at No. 5 Georgia
- No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Texas Tech
- No. 10 Texas at No. 7 Mississippi
- No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oregon
The winners move on to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face the top four teams. Here’s what those matchups could be:
- No. 4 Alabama vs. Georgia-South Florida winner
- No. 3 Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech-Miami winner
- No. 2 Indiana vs. Mississippi-Texas winner
- No. 1 Ohio State vs. Oregon-Notre Dame winner
Quarterfinals and Beyond
The quarterfinals will be played at some of the big bowl games. The Cotton Bowl gets things started on Dec. 31.
The Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl follow on Jan. 1. After that, it’s on to the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9.
Championship Game
The season wraps up with the championship game on Jan. 19. It’ll be held in Miami Gardens, Florida, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Everyone’s been waiting for this one. It’s where the national champion will be crowned, and honestly, it’s always a wild ride to the finish.
Curious about the latest CFP rankings or the playoff bracket? Check out the USA Today article for more info and updates.
