Week 11 Power Rankings – Only Three Unbeatens Remain

There are only three undefeated teams left, and they are at the top of the rankings! Only 12 FBS teams have one loss or fewer, and only 22 Power Five teams have two losses or fewer. Every game matters, but especially with only three weeks of the regular season left!

1. Ohio State (9-0) (Last Week #1) (#1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Ryan Day’s Buckeyes just keep steamrolling along. Critics said they had a bad game because they beat Purdue ‘only’ by 24. Their offense is built around precision passing, and the Buckeye defense just clobbers opponents, and are top in the nation in the most important categories. They also have a pair of Heisman candidates in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State hosts UCLA this Saturday night.

2. Indiana (10-0) (Last Week #3) (#2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

That was a close one for the Hoosiers against Penn State. But any game you walk away from with the win is a good one. Indiana has their own Heisman candidate in Fernando Mendoza, who led the comeback against Penn State. Indiana now has two ten-win seasons for the first time in program history, and they have them back-to-back. IU hosts Wisconsin this week, has a late-season bye the following week, before closing the season against Purdue. There’s no reason they should not finish 12-0 and play in the Big Ten Championship game.

3. Texas A&M (9-0) (Last Week #4) (#3 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Aggies are the best team in the SEC this season. Not to jinx them, but it feels like they’re a lock for the College Football Playoff. They have South Carolina and their SEC, FCS November Layup at home before finishing at Texas. Right now, I think Texas will beat them at home, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Marcel Reed and company finish the season 12-0 and make it to the SEC title game.

4. Alabama (8-1) (Last Week #6) (#4 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

I said it a lot last year with Notre Dame and their loss to Northern Illinois, and I’ll say it a lot this year with Alabama and their loss to Florida State. How did they lose to that team? The Tide can’t stumble at the finish line. They also have their SEC, FCS November Layup against Eastern Illinois in two weeks, but first, they got to play Oklahoma. With a win, Alabama can do to Oklahoma what the Sooners did to them last year, and knock them out of the playoff.

5. Georgia (8-1) (Last Week #7) (#5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Georgia has an even more difficult finish than Bama (the Dawgs’ layup game is at least against an FBS team). They host Texas this week, and then finish at rival Georgia Tech. Texas is fighting for their playoff lives and revenge. Georgia Tech is the best they’ve been in decades, and they almost beat Georgia last year. UGA fans shouldn’t be worried, though. Whether it’s by 50 or by one, they beat everyone they play, not named Alabama.

6. Oregon (8-1) (Last Week #8) (#8 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #7 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

#6 feels a little too low for Oregon, but I have to stick to my criteria. Oregon is a very resilient team. They find ways to win when most other teams would lose. The Ducks’ final three games are a tough slate. If they just win two out of the three, they should be in the College Football Playoff. 6-3 Minnesota, 7-2 USC, and 6-3 Washington are a tough slate, but Dante Moore and Oregon will probably finish 11-1.

7. Texas Tech (9-1) (Last Week #10) (#6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Tech is another team that is playing at such a high level, you can’t help but want to rank them higher. They played conservatively against BYU and still beat them 29-7. If not for injuries, they’re undefeated and in the top four. With UCF, a bye, and West Virginia left on their schedule, they’re a virtual lock for the Big 12 title game and nearly one for the playoff.

8. Ole Miss (9-1) (Last Week #11) (#7 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #6 and #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

With only Florida and Mississippi State left, Ole Miss is in the College Football Playoff, maybe even if they split the final two games. The funny thing is, I’m still not sure how good this team is. One thing is for certain, and that is that Kewan Lacy is legit, a Heisman candidate, and an all-American.

9. Georgia Tech (8-1) (Last Week #12) (#16 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #14 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Yellowjackets were off this week and continued to try and fix what went wrong against NC State. They should be able to right the ship against Boston College this week, before they finish the season against a resurgent Pitt and their rival, Georgia.

10. BYU (8-1) (Last Week #2) (#12 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

While that was the ugliest game BYU has played in the past two seasons, they are still one of only ten Power Four teams with one loss or less, with only three games to go in the regular season. The key for BYU will be to not let the loss to Texas Tech beat them twice, like their loss to Kansas did last year. Last year, it kept them out of the Big 12 title picture, and even if it was wrong, kept them out of the College Football Playoff.

11. James Madison (8-1) (Last Week #13) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #24 and #25 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

If James Madison finishes the season 12-1 and Sun Belt Champions, would they get consideration for the Group of Five playoff berth over a two-loss American or Mountain West Champion? It’s a conversation that should be had and considered if the Dukes keep winning.

12. North Texas (8-1) (Last Week #14) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Mean Green need some help, but they’re aiming to be a one-loss American Conference Champion. If that’s the case, they’ll likely be in over JMU. North Texas is playing very well and has a Heisman candidate in true freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker. UNT plays at UAB this week.

13. Miami (7-2) (Last Week #18) (#15 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Miami’s early-season success is keeping them up here and in contention for all their goals. Most rankings have Notre Dame way ahead of Miami, but when they have the same record and won head-to-head, they have to be ahead of the Irish. A win over someone you have a similar record to has to matter. Miami plays NC State this week.

14. Notre Dame (7-2) (Last Week #19) (#9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Fighting Irish are just taking care of their own business. That’s all they need to do, really. If they beat Pitt, Syracuse, and Stanford, they’re in the College Football Playoff again. They’re a team that no one would want to play because of how great their offense is with Jeremiyah Love, the best running back in college football.

15. USC (7-2) (Last Week #21) (#17 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #17 and #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

USC controls their own destiny. If they win out, with an upset of Oregon, they’ll be in the playoff at 10-2. Hosting Iowa and then hitting the road to play Oregon won’t be easy, though. Should they pull it off and get some help along the way, they could also get a shot at the Big Ten title.

16. Utah (7-2) (Last Week #22) (#13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Utes had the week off but are in a pretty good spot. They should finish 10-2 by defeating Baylor, Kansas State, and Kansas. Without chaos in the conference, they’re a long shot for the Big 12 title game, but still have more postseason hope than a lot of the teams in the top 25.

17. Texas (7-2) (Last Week #25) (#10 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Playing at Georgia, then against rivals Arkansas and Texas A&M, looks to be a tricky finish for Texas. Needless to say, if they finish it unscathed, they’d be essentially guaranteed at least an at-large playoff bid, with a chance to play for the SEC title.

18. Oklahoma (7-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #11 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Can the Sooners beat Alabama two years in a row? Their College Football Playoff hopes depend on them doing just that. This year, they’re playing at Alabama, and it’ll be a much harder game to win.

19. Cincinnati (7-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#25 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

UC controls their own destiny since they will play BYU. Win the next three and you play for the Big 12 title and are very close to a playoff berth.

20. Houston (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

In the NASA Bowl, Houston triumphed over UCF, 30-27. They don’t control their own fate, but they play two rivals in TCU and Baylor to close the season. Wins would get them to 10-2, and you never know what could happen in the conference race and in the race for the playoff.

21. Vanderbilt (7-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#14 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #13 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Vanderbilt held on to beat Auburn in overtime, 45-38. They have this week off before their home finale against Kentucky and then on the road against Tennessee. They’re another team looking to finish 10-2 and hope for a playoff berth.

22. Virginia (8-2) (Last Week #5) (#19 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #20 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Losing quarterback Chandler Morris cost them the game against Wake Forest. The extent of his injury will likely decide their game against Duke this Saturday, their pursuit of an ACC title game appearance, and a playoff berth. Virginia looked like they would finish 11-1, and now it could just as easily be 9-3 or 8-4.

23. Louisville (7-2) (Last Week #9) (#20 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #19 and #21 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

Another ACC team that looked like they were about to go to 11-1, suffered an inexplicable loss at home and their schedule now looks a lot more difficult than it did a week ago. After losing to Cal, they have to host Clemson, play at SMU, and finish at home against Kentucky.

24. Pitt (7-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#22 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)

The Panthers had the week off and extra time to prepare for Notre Dame coming to town. After a 2-2 start and with Notre Dame, Miami, and Georgia Tech left on their schedule, Pitt controls their own fate. Win and you’re in the ACC title game and have a strong case for a minimum of an at-large playoff berth.

25. Navy (7-2) (Last Week #17) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)

That was an ugly loss against Notre Dame. This is a real rough stretch for Navy. They lost back-to-back against 8-1 North Texas and 7-2 Notre Dame. Now they have to play 7-2 USF, 8-2 Memphis, a potential American Conference title game, and then Army in America’s Game. It will be interesting to see where a team that started 7-0 finishes.

Playoff Projection

First Round

5. BYU (12-1) vs. 12. North Texas (12-1)

Friday, December 18th, 2025 – Provo, Utah

6. Georgia Tech (12-1) vs. 11. Utah (10-2)

Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia

7. Ohio State (11-1) vs. 10. Texas Tech (11-2)

Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Columbus, Ohio

8. Ole Miss (11-1) vs. 9. Notre Dame (10-2)

Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Oxford, Mississippi

Quarterfinals

1. Indiana (13-0) vs. 9. Notre Dame (11-2)

Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Pasadena, California

4. Texas A&M (11-1) vs. 5. BYU (13-1)

Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Miami, Florida

2. Alabama (12-1) vs. 7. Ohio State (12-1)

Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – New Orleans, Louisiana

3. Oregon (11-1) vs. 11. Utah (11-2)

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 – Arlington, Texas

Semifinals

7. Ohio State (13-1) vs. 11. Utah (12-2)

Thursday, January 8th, 2026 – Glendale, Arizona

9. Notre Dame (12-2) vs. 5. BYU (14-1)

Friday, January 9th, 2026 – Atlanta, Georgia

National Championship

7. Ohio State (14-1) vs. 9. Notre Dame (13-2)

Monday, January 19th, 2026 – Miami, Florida

National Champions

Ohio State (15-1) repeats as your 2025 National Champions

The above is how I think the season will play out, and how I think the committee will vote, not how I think it should be. My top 12, including seeding and based on how I think the teams will enter the College Football Playoff, is below.

1. Indiana (13-0) (Big Ten Champions)
2. Alabama (12-1) (SEC Champions) (Only loss to FSU)
3. BYU (12-1) (Big 12 Champions) (Only loss to Texas Tech)
4. Georgia Tech (11-2) (ACC Champions) (Only losses to NC State and Georgia)
5. Ohio State (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss in final regular season game)
6. Oregon (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss to Indiana)
7. Texas A&M (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss to Texas)
8. Ole Miss (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss to Georgia)
9. Notre Dame (10-2) (at-large)
10. Texas Tech (11-2) (at-large, Big 12 runner-up) (Losses to Arizona State and to BYU in the Big 12 Championship)
11. Utah (10-2) (Only losses to Texas Tech and BYU)
12. North Texas (12-1) (Highest-ranked Group of Five Champion)