Texas Tech stays high in the rankings (Photo by Texas Tech Athletics)
Texas A&M escapes to stay unbeaten, the Buckeyes battle injuries, and Indiana gets back-to-back 11-win seasons to stay atop the rankings as we get down to the last two Saturdays of the regular season.
1. Ohio State (10-0) (Last Week #1) (#1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
OSU bashed UCLA 48-10. The Buckeyes’ offense was great, and their defense just keeps smashing opponents. The bad news is their top two players, wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, are both battling injuries. It is unlikely they’ll play for Ohio State this Saturday against Rutgers. That may not cost Ohio State the win in that match-up, but it could the following week in Ann Arbor.
2. Indiana (11-0) (Last Week #2) (#2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Indiana posted their second straight and second-ever 11-win season with their win over Wisconsin. The Hoosiers, in all likelihood, also secured their second straight and second-ever College Football Playoff berth with the 31-7 win. They have next week off before their season finale against Purdue, their rival and complete opposite. Indiana, depending on the outcome of other Big Ten games, could secure their spot in the Big Ten title game before they even play Purdue.
3. Texas A&M (10-0) (Last Week #3) (#3 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Only in the mighty, dreadnaught that is the SEC can you trail 30-3 at halftime and win 31-30. Any game you walk away from the winner is a good one for Texas A&M, but the SEC apologists need to keep their traps buttoned for at least a week. The Aggies are a near lock for the College Football Playoff now, and despite the Potemkin village that is their conference, they have earned every bit of it. That goose egg in the loss column is proof!
4. Georgia (9-1) (Last Week #5) (#4 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Georgia owns Texas right now. They beat them for the third time in the past two seasons, and it wasn’t even close. It seemed like it was an even greater margin of victory than the 35-10 final score indicated. The Dawgs’ SEC slate is complete. They’ll have a layup game against Charlotte this Saturday, followed by their rivalry game against Georgia Tech on Black Friday. How Texas A&M and Alabama finish their seasons will decide whether Georgia is in the SEC title game or is an at-large playoff berth. They’d have to lose to both Charlotte and Georgia Tech to not make it in to the College Football Playoff.
5. Oregon (9-1) (Last Week #6) (#7 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #6 and #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Oregon crushed Minnesota, 42-13. They needed an offensive output like that after struggling in the rain to get things moving against Wisconsin and Iowa. They have traction and momentum now, going into their final two games, and they are big games. Next week’s game against USC will essentially be for, at minimum, an at-large playoff berth. After that, they have their rivalry game against Washington. Win those two games and you’re in the playoff, and if some upsets happen, you’re in the Big Ten Championship game for the second straight year.
6. Texas Tech (10-1) (Last Week #7) (#5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #6 and #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Tech cruised to victory over UCF, 48-9. They are certainly playing like a top-six team right now. The Red Raiders have this coming week off before they hit the road for their season finale. They’ll play at West Virginia on November 29th. Even with being off this week, Texas Tech can still clinch a Big 12 title game berth. If Arizona State loses and BYU wins, the Red Raiders are in. They are also in if ASU, BYU, and Utah all lose this weekend.
7. Ole Miss (10-1) (Last Week #8) (#6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #5 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I can’t complain about Ohio State’s win over UCLA too much. Texas A&M beat the 3-6 team they were playing 31-30, Ole Miss beat the 3-6 team they were playing 34-24, and Ohio State beat the 3-6 team they were playing 48-10. But credit to Ole Miss, like Texas A&M, a win is a win! Ole Miss is 10-1 and a lock for the College Football Playoff. Kiffin’s crew has a bye week, the Egg Bowl, and then either an SEC title game or the CFP.
8. Georgia Tech (9-1) (Last Week #9) (#16 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #15 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Another team who struggled with an opponent they should have chased out of the stadium, but Georgia Tech also held on to get the win in the face of an upset-minded foe. Holding on, 36-34 to win over Boston College isn’t ideal, but a win is a win. The Yellow Jackets return home this weekend to play Pitt. A win by Georgia Tech, and they clinch an ACC title game berth before they battle their rival, Georgia, on November 29th. A loss and they are likely eliminated from the ACC title picture and also the College Football Playoff.
9. BYU (9-1) (Last Week #10) (#11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Now that’s more like it! BYU bounced back from their Texas Tech loss with a big 44-13 win over TCU. That is how you get back on track. There’s no rest for BYU, though. They have to get right back to work with a long road trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, to play the Bearcats. UC has lost two straight games, but they are tough at home and are desperate for a win, and that makes them even more dangerous.
10. James Madison (9-1) (Last Week #11) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #21 and #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Being one of only 11 teams with one loss or less with only two weeks to go in the regular season is special, no matter what conference you are in. The Sun Belt is the last FBS conference with divisions, and the Dukes clinched the East Division with their 58-10 win over Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina’s loss to Georgia Southern. They still have to play Washington State this week and Coastal Carolina next week, and win the Sun Belt title game to keep their hopes for more alive.
11. North Texas (9-1) (Last Week #12) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #22 and #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Even though they’re ranked behind JMU, North Texas controls their own fate as far as their College Football Playoff berth goes. The American is considered stronger than the Sun Belt, and if both teams finish 12-1 and as conference champions, the Mean Green will get the nod. It will also help North Texas that they have a high-powered offense behind quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins.
12. Miami (8-2) (Last Week #13) (#13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #14 and #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Miami just needs to keep winning and root for teams like Notre Dame and South Florida to do the same. If the Hurricanes take care of their business and have a couple of their best wins finish strongly with 10 more wins on their schedule too, Miami is likely in the College Football Playoff, even if they are left out of the ACC title game.
13. Notre Dame (8-2) (Last Week #14) (#9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
This is why Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi was trying to downplay this game all week. He clearly knew his team was in trouble. Notre Dame once again ran over an opponent. With only Syracuse and Stanford left on the schedule, you can write Notre Dame’s 10-2 record in ink. Their College Football Playoff hopes are a little more shaky, though. They need some help. If they’re battling for a spot with teams like Oklahoma and Miami, who are also 10-2, they likely get left out. The head-to-head result with the Hurricanes and the Sooners being in the SEC would be how the CFP Committee would justify leaving them out of the playoff.
14. USC (8-2) (Last Week #15) (#15 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With their win over Iowa, USC now essentially controls their own destiny for an at-large playoff berth. They upset 9-1 Oregon this weekend and beat hapless UCLA; they are 10-2, in the top three of the Big Ten, and are in the field of 12. A little help across the conference, and they could even get to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title. The College Football Playoff Committee is going to value a 10-2 Big Ten or SEC team higher than an 11-2 Big 12 or ACC team. I disagree with it, but that’s how they’ll do it.
15. Utah (8-2) (Last Week #16) (#12 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #13 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Utah is another team that is a bit of an enigma. They lost badly to Texas Tech. Lost a heartbreaker in their rivalry game with BYU, but absolutely demolished everyone else they’ve played. The trouble for the Utes is that there are only two games left, and beating Kansas or Kansas State won’t sway the CFP Committee. They’re getting style points, and that’s helpful. They need help from BYU of all teams. They either need the Cougars to lose both of their next games or win both of their next games. BYU going 1-1 and both teams finishing 10-2 would hurt the Utes the most. They also need some upsets to hit teams like Notre Dame, Miami, and Oklahoma.
16. Oklahoma (8-2) (Last Week #18) (#8 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Oklahoma has responded very well to going 2-2 in October. If they win their final two games, both against bowl-eligible opponents, then the CFP Committee will make certain they get an at-large berth. If you’re a Miami, Notre Dame, Utah, BYU, or Texas Tech fan, you’re hoping LSU or Missouri helps you out with an upset of the Sooners. Oklahoma’s defense is just too good, John Mateer keeps getting better with every week, and these final two games are at home for OU, so Oklahoma can be penciled into the College Football Playoff at the moment.
17. Alabama (8-2) (Last Week #4) (#10 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
For an eight-game stretch, it looked like Alabama was back. This isn’t Nick Saban’s Alabama. The good news is that Tide are still a good team, in good shape, and still likely going to make the SEC title game. All they have to do is eat their SEC November cupcake of Eastern Illinois, and beat a down-and-out Auburn, and they’re right where they need to be.
18. Houston (8-2) (Last Week #20) (#23 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #25 and #24 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Houston had a bye this week. They return next week against in-state rival TCU.
19. Vanderbilt (8-2) (Last Week #21) (#14 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked # in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Vandy had a bye this week and returns to action next week against border rival Kentucky.
20. Virginia (9-2) (Last Week #22) (#19 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Virginia controls their own destiny. They have this week off, and all they have to do is beat Virginia Tech next week, and they’ll play for the ACC crown and a College Football Playoff berth. Winning the Commonwealth Cup is easier said than done. Virginia has only done it twice in the entire 21st Century. The Cavaliers will look to recreate the magic of 2019, the last time they beat the Hokies, and also the last time they played in the ACC Championship Game.
21. Navy (8-2) (Last Week #25) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Navy kept their playoff hopes alive with their 41-38 win over South Florida. They utilized both of their quarterbacks, and Blake Horvath and Braxton Woodson led the Midshipmen to victory over the Bulls. Navy ran for 338 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. Next week, they are off before finishing conference play against Memphis on Black Friday.
22. Tulane (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (#24 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #24 and #25 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With 5-5 Temple and 1-9 Charlotte left on the schedule, there is no reason Tulane should not finish 10-2 this season. They would need either Navy or North Texas to take a spill to make it into the American Conference title game, but this has been a season of chaos for the conference. When you’re a team like Tulane, chaos can also mean opportunity.
23. UNLV (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It’s possible the Dan Mullen Era in Las Vegas could be short-lived. UNLV just continues to be a solid team, and they are doing it in a great sports town. With the Pac-12’s failed attempt to consume the Mountain West, UNLV will be the top dog in the Mountain West moving forward. But they’re concerned with right now. Win out and you play for the conference crown. Win that, and hope for some chaos, and maybe find yourself in the College Football Playoff. But first, they need to beat a tough 7-3 Hawaii team this Friday night.
24. Western Kentucky (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
WKU is scheduled to be a cupcake team for LSU this coming Saturday. While their season finale game on the road against Jacksonville State will decide their Conference USA title chase, they have a huge opportunity on Saturday. Pull of a miracle upset of LSU in Baton Rouge, beat Jax State, win the CUSA title, and you’re an 11-2 Group of Five champion with a road win against an SEC team. Add in a little chaos in the other G5 conferences, and you make a case for a playoff berth. Stranger things have happened in the epic game that is college football.
25. San Diego State (8-2) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Being one of only 25 teams with a record of 8-2 or better is deserving of being in the top 25, no matter what conference you play in. The Aztecs control their own fate in the Mountain West. Beat San Jose State and New Mexico, and you will host a Mountain West Championship game in your stadium in December.
Playoff Projection
First Round
8. Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Oklahoma (10-2)
Friday, December 18th, 2025 – South Bend, Indiana
5. Georgia (11-2) vs. 12. North Texas (12-1)
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Athens, Georgia
6. Ohio State (11-1) vs. 11. Georgia Tech (11-2)
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Columbus, Ohio
7. Ole Miss (11-1) vs. 10. BYU (12-1)
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Oxford, Mississippi
Quarterfinals
1. Indiana (13-0) vs. 8. Notre Dame (11-2)
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Pasadena, California
4. Texas A&M (11-1) vs. 5. Georgia (12-2)
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Miami, Florida
2. Alabama (11-2) vs. 10. BYU (13-1)
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Oregon (11-1) vs. 6. Ohio State (12-1)
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 – Arlington, Texas
Semifinals
4. Texas A&M (12-1) vs. 8. Notre Dame (12-2)
Thursday, January 8th, 2026 – Glendale, Arizona
2. Alabama (12-2) vs. 6. Ohio State (13-1)
Friday, January 9th, 2026 – Atlanta, Georgia
National Championship
6. Ohio State (14-1) vs. 8. Notre Dame (13-2)
Monday, January 19th, 2026 – Miami, Florida
National Champions
Ohio State (15-1)
That is how I believe things play out for the rest of the season and how the College Football Playoff Committee ranks teams headed into the playoff, and how the playoff plays out. If I were seeding the top 12, with the bottom two being the first two out, here’s how it would look after the season.
- Indiana (13-0) (Big Ten Champions)
- BYU (12-1) (Big 12 Champions) (Only loss to Texas Tech)
- Alabama (11-2) (SEC Champions) (Only loss to FSU, and Oklahoma)
- Georgia Tech (11-2) (ACC Champions) (Only losses to NC State and Georgia)
- North Texas (12-1) (Highest-ranked Group of Five Champion) (Only loss to USF)
- Ohio State (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss in final regular season game)
- Oregon (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss to Indiana)
- Texas A&M (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss to Texas)
- Georgia (11-2) (at-large, SEC runner-up) (Only losses to Alabama)
- Ole Miss (11-1) (at-large) (Only loss to Georgia)
- Texas Tech (11-2) (at-large, Big 12 runner-up) (Only losses to Arizona State and to BYU in the Big 12 Championship)
- Notre Dame (10-2) (at-large) (Only losses to Miami and Texas A&M)
- Utah (10-2) (Only losses to Texas Tech and BYU)
- Oklahoma (10-2) (Only losses to Texas and Ole Miss)
