The second edition of the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings was unveiled on Tuesday, maintaining the same top five teams as last week, with only two new entries into the mix. The selection committee”s choices sparked discussions, especially as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) found itself relegated to the lower half of the rankings.
As it stands, if the playoffs were to begin today, the top four seeds, which receive first-round byes, would be Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. The selection of these top seeds has shifted away from merely conference champions and now reflects the best teams overall.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) dominated with eight teams in the rankings, while the Big Ten followed with six representatives. The ACC managed to place five teams, and the Big 12 secured four spots. However, the SEC”s influence was evident as it claimed seven of the top 14 positions.
Oregon moved up to No. 8 after narrowly defeating No. 21 Iowa, but it remains in a precarious position. Another loss, whether to Minnesota, USC, or Washington, could jeopardize their playoff chances.
Notre Dame also advanced one rank to No. 9, now the highest-ranked team with two losses. The Irish, currently at 7-2, are likely to secure a playoff spot if they win their remaining games against Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Stanford. “The committee really likes Notre Dame as a complete team,” commented committee chair Mack Rhoades, who is also the athletic director at Baylor. “Their run game is among the best, if not the best, in the country.”
Since they lack automatic qualification for the CFP, Notre Dame”s presence impacts the number of at-large spots available from the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC.
Currently, No. 10 Texas occupies the last playoff spot based on selection protocols. The Longhorns, with a record of 7-2, will soon face off against No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M. A split in those games could allow Texas to become the first three-loss team to make it into the CFP.
Brigham Young fell five spots to No. 12 after a heavy defeat against Texas Tech, signaling that the selection committee does not currently view the Cougars as a playoff contender.
Utah held steady at No. 13, right below BYU, likely due to their head-to-head loss in the Holy War. The Utes, with a 7-2 record, have little left to boost their resume, facing three unranked teams, making an at-large berth unlikely.
The highest-ranked team from the ACC is No. 15 Miami, reflecting the conference”s unpredictable results in recent weeks and lack of significant non-conference wins earlier in the season. This marks the second consecutive week that Miami is ranked below three teams from the Big 12.
Two two-loss teams from the Big Ten, USC and Michigan, are ranked No. 17 and No. 18, respectively. This ranking order is logical given USC”s recent head-to-head win over Michigan. However, both teams are positioned lower than several two-loss teams from the Big 12, SEC, and ACC. Still, they have challenging matchups ahead—USC faces Iowa and Oregon, while Michigan prepares for Ohio State—which could help them advance in the rankings.
In contrast to last week, a representative from the Group of Five conferences has made the rankings: South Florida, boasting a 7-2 record with victories over Boise State and Florida, is ranked 24th. If the Bulls win out in the American, they will qualify for the playoffs. “The committee felt like, of the Group of Five to date, they”re the most consistent,” Rhoades noted, adding that Tulane, James Madison, and Boise State were also discussed. South Florida and No. 25 Cincinnati were the two new entries in this week”s rankings.
It is important to remember that the five highest-ranked conference champions earn automatic bids to the playoffs. While winners from the Power Four conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC) are not guaranteed spots, they are likely to rank above the best teams from the Group of Five. However, if the ACC continues to struggle, there is a slim chance that two teams from the Group of Five, likely James Madison and the American champion, could outpace the ACC winner, potentially excluding the ACC entirely.
