College Football Playoff Rankings: 30 Teams Compete for Bracket Spots
The College Football Playoff rankings are heating up as teams head into the final regular season weekend. Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Georgia lead the rankings in the latest release by the selection committee. This week, every team in the top 14 that competed secured a victory, resulting in minimal changes in the standings.
Current College Football Playoff Rankings
The top 10 teams in the College Football Playoff rankings are as follows:
- 1. Ohio State
- 2. Indiana
- 3. Texas A&M
- 4. Georgia
- 5. Texas Tech
- 6. Oregon
- 7. Ole Miss
- 8. Oklahoma
- 9. Notre Dame
- 10. Alabama
Oregon saw a significant jump in the rankings after defeating USC, moving past Ole Miss. Meanwhile, Ole Miss faces uncertainty regarding head coach Lane Kiffin’s future, as he is a candidate for positions at LSU and Florida.
Implications of Coach Kiffin’s Situation
Kiffin’s status will be determined shortly after the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. The committee indicated that his potential departure would not impact Ole Miss’ ranking. According to committee chairman Hunter Yurachek, they do not account for teams facing leadership transitions.
Key Conference Dynamics
As the rivalry weekend approaches, several conferences hold significant implications for the standings. Notable scenarios include:
- ACC: Six teams remain in the hunt, with Miami and Virginia expected to play crucial roles.
- Big Ten: Ohio State and Indiana are secure, while Michigan’s performance against Ohio State could alter its fate.
- Big 12: Texas Tech and BYU aim for at-large bids.
- SEC: Seven teams, including Texas A&M and Georgia, are vying for playoff considerations.
- American Athletic Conference: Tulane is the highest-ranked non-Power 4 team at No. 24, but few at-large opportunities exist.
Teams Fighting for Playoff Spots
Here’s a breakdown of the 30 teams still in contention for playoff spots:
- ACC: Virginia, SMU, Pitt, Georgia Tech, Miami, Duke
- Big Ten: Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Michigan
- Big 12: Texas Tech, BYU, Utah, Arizona State
- SEC: Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas
- American: North Texas, Tulane, Navy, South Florida, East Carolina
- Mountain West: San Diego State, UNLV
- Sun Belt: James Madison
- Independents: Notre Dame
These teams will battle through rivalry week, with aspirations to secure spots in the upcoming College Football Playoff. As the race narrows, every game becomes crucial for those hoping for postseason glory.
