The second edition of the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings was released on Tuesday, maintaining the top five teams from the previous week while introducing two newcomers. The selection committee”s decisions sparked discussions as the traditional powerhouses were favored, leaving the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) languishing in the lower half of the rankings.
If the playoff were to take place today, the top four seeds, which earn first-round byes, would be Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. The current system prioritizes the best teams over conference champions, indicating a shift in what constitutes elite status.
In the latest rankings, SEC teams dominated with eight representatives, followed by the Big Ten with six, the ACC with five, and the Big 12 with four. Notably, the SEC secured seven of the top fourteen positions.
Oregon managed to climb just one spot to No. 8 after a narrow victory over No. 21 Iowa. The Ducks, with an 8-1 record, are in a precarious position; another loss could jeopardize their playoff aspirations, pushing them closer to the bubble.
Notre Dame also ascended one position to No. 9, marking them as the highest-ranked two-loss team. This ranking suggests that the Irish, currently at 7-2, are likely to secure a playoff berth if they can defeat Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Stanford. “The committee really likes Notre Dame as a complete team,” stated committee chair Mack Rhoades, also the athletic director at Baylor. “Their run game is as good as anybody, if not the best in the country.”
Being an independent team, Notre Dame”s potential inclusion would lessen the number of at-large spots available for non-champions from the major conferences, including the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC.
Currently, No. 10 Texas is positioned as the last team in the playoff field, but their upcoming games against No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M could provide a critical test. A split in these matchups could allow Texas to become the first three-loss team to enter the CFP.
Brigham Young University (BYU) fell five spots to No. 12 after a significant defeat to Texas Tech, signaling that the committee does not currently view the Cougars, who are 8-1, as playoff contenders.
Utah held steady at No. 13, positioned just below BYU, likely due to their previous head-to-head loss against them. With three unranked teams remaining on their schedule, the Utes, currently 7-2, face a daunting challenge to secure an at-large spot.
The highest-ranked team from the ACC is Miami, sitting at No. 15. This ranking reflects the conference”s tumultuous outcomes over recent weeks and a lack of significant non-conference wins in September. For the second straight week, the Hurricanes rank below three teams from the Big 12.
In the Big Ten, two-loss teams USC and Michigan are ranked No. 17 and No. 18, respectively. The rankings are logical due to USC”s recent victory against Michigan. However, both teams are positioned lower than two-loss representatives from the Big 12, SEC, and ACC. They still have the opportunity to improve their standings, with USC facing Iowa and Oregon, while Michigan prepares for a showdown against Ohio State.
This week, a representative from the Group of Five conferences made the rankings, with South Florida sitting at No. 24 after a 7-2 record, including wins against Boise State and Florida. If the Bulls can finish strong in the American conference, they will qualify. “The committee felt like of the Group of Five to date, they”re the most consistent,” Rhoades added while noting discussions about Tulane, James Madison, and Boise State. South Florida and No. 25 Cincinnati joined the rankings as newcomers.
It”s important to remember that the five highest-ranked conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs. While winners from the Power Four conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC) are not guaranteed spots, they typically rank higher than the best team from the Group of Five. However, if the ACC continues to struggle, there is a slight chance that two teams from the Group of Five, such as the top team from the Sun Belt or the American champion, could surpass the ACC champion, potentially excluding the ACC from the playoff entirely.
