by: James Fletcher III 1 hour ago jdfletch3
The College Football Playoff rankings reach their penultimate form as the regular season comes to a close, leaving just the conference championships to change the narrative for seeding and bubble conversations. The latest look at the College Football Playoff Top 25 show a clear path toward the 12-team CFP bracket for those still in contention.
The five highest-rated conference champions are guaranteed a spot in the field, but not a first-round bye. The remaining seven bids will be filled by seven at-large qualifiers who can be slotted according to their ranking.
A slight shift from last season’s format, this brings added clarity to the process throughout the season and ensures the top teams will benefit from their resume. Those who finish between 5-12 will participate in the first round, hosted by the higher seed before subsequent rounds are played at traditional bowl sites.
Through the full regular season, here is how the selection committee ranked the Top 25 teams with a chance to earn their spot in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. As the resumes nears completion, the intensity ramps up.
The rankings will be updated as they are revealed.
1. Ohio State
Ohio State finishes the regular season undefeated and keeps its place at No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings once again. Ryan Day’s team is now set up to face Indiana in the Big Ten Championship with the top seed on the line.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Indiana
2. Indiana
Indiana also finished the regular season undefeated with a great case for a first-round bye regardless of the Big Ten title game outcome. However, Curt Cignetti and his team have a chance to lock up the top seed with a win.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Ohio State
3. Georgia
Kirby Smart. Photo by Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Georgia sneaks into the SEC Championship following the other conference results in rivalry week, giving them a chance to lock up a first-round bye against Alabama. Kirby Smart and his team previously lost to the Crimson Tide in their only setback so far.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Alabama
4. Texas Tech
Texas Tech enters the Big 12 Championship looking to knock off BYU for a second time this season, solidifying a spot in the College Football Playoff and increasing the likelihood of a first-round bye. Joey McGuire’s team looks in good position to maintain a spot in the field regardless of outcome.
Upcoming schedule: vs. BYU
5. Oregon
Oregon continues to solidify its spot in the College Football Playoff, finishing the regular season with win. Dan Lanning and his team are well onto the right side of the bubble, with more chance to move up than down based on other results.
6. Ole Miss
Oct 28, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive coorinator Pete Golding watches from the sidelines during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Ole Miss faces the most interesting conundrum in College Football Playoff history, with Lane Kiffin out the door for the LSU job after a one-loss season. The team, now led by Pete Golding, has already slipped in the rankings amid the rumors.