The College Football Playoff rankings reveal that the Oregon Ducks hold the top spot in the latest update released on Tuesday night.
Currently boasting a perfect record of 10-0 overall and 7-0 in Big Ten competition, the Ducks are closely followed by Ohio State at No. 2 and Texas at No. 3. Rounding out the top five are Penn State and Indiana.
In this 12-team playoff format, Oregon (Big Ten), Texas (SEC), BYU (Big 12), and Miami (ACC) are set to receive first-round byes, while Ohio State (Big Ten), Penn State (Big Ten), Indiana (Big Ten), and Tennessee (SEC) will host opening-round games.
Here are some key insights from this latest set of CFP rankings:
[College Football Playoff rankings: Oregon, Ohio State on top; Alabama enters top 10]
1. Colorado, currently ranked No. 17, has a clear path to the CFP and the national championship.
The Buffaloes are in a favorable position, especially in a season where many teams might settle for 10 wins. The selection criteria are straightforward: the four highest-ranked conference champions will not only secure playoff spots but also earn first-round byes. The Big 12 is one of the four Power 4 conferences included in this 12-team playoff format.
For Deion Sanders’ Colorado squad, the formula is simple: defeat Utah this Saturday and continue winning thereafter. This could lead to a memorable season for the Buffaloes, a scenario made possible by athletic director Rick George’s strategic hiring of Coach Prime and the decision to join the Big 12 amid the Pac-12’s decline.
With Coach Prime already mentioned as a potential candidate for the Dallas Cowboys coaching position, the next two months could bring surprising developments for Colorado, including a possible national title run.
2. The narrative around Indiana’s strength of schedule is becoming less valid.
The Buckeyes narrowly defeated Nebraska 21-17, while Indiana dominated the Cornhuskers with a 56-7 victory. Additionally, Indiana’s impressive 47-10 win over Michigan State stands in stark contrast to Ohio State’s 38-7 victory over the same team. The Ducks also defeated the Spartans 31-10. Indiana’s performances against teams like Maryland, where they won 42-28, further bolster their case.
These results suggest that Indiana could be among the elite in college football, potentially ranking alongside Ohio State and Oregon.
The question arises: why is Penn State, which lost to Ohio State, ranked higher than Indiana? The answer may lie in Indiana’s schedule, which will face a significant test on November 23 when they play Ohio State at the Shoe.
3. A one-loss Washington State team merits consideration equal to that of a two-loss Georgia team.
Georgia may finish with a 10-2 record, but does that make them one of the top 12 teams in college football? With five spots likely filled by conference champions, the question remains whether a team that has struggled offensively should receive an at-large bid over Washington State, which could finish 11-1 with its only loss to a Boise State team projected to make the playoff.
Currently ranked No. 12, Georgia could be the first team left out of the playoff, while Ole Miss, fresh off an upset victory over the Bulldogs, sits at No. 11. Should Washington State, or even Army, which is ranked No. 24 and could finish undefeated, take that at-large spot instead?
This conversation should also include Notre Dame, which, like Washington State, has not played a full schedule of Power 4 opponents but is on track for an 11-1 finish.
Notre Dame’s victories over teams like Texas A&M and Navy set them apart. They also have a chance to defeat an undefeated Army team on November 23. Meanwhile, Washington State’s best win may be against San Jose State, highlighting the challenges they faced in scheduling.
As Washington State navigates these discussions, they may feel that external factors, rather than their performance, could hinder their playoff chances, even in a 12-team format.
The situation surrounding Florida State raised similar concerns, as they faced challenges that could affect their playoff eligibility. Washington State may find itself in a similar predicament despite a strong season.
