With the first College Football Playoff rankings set to drop Tuesday night, CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford put his own “eye-test rankings” on the table - and he didn’t exactly play it safe.
Crawford’s personal top 10 came with two blunt calls attached. He said the Big Ten’s “four-peat quest” was over and added that “only two teams outside [the SEC] are capable of winning [the] CFP.”
He backed that up with a list that leaned heavily toward the SEC. Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU and Alabama all landed in his top 10, giving the conference half of the spots on his board. The Big 12 was represented by Utah and BYU, while UCLA stood alone for the Big Ten.
At the top, Crawford went with Miami, even after the Hurricanes survived close games against Florida State and North Carolina. Notre Dame, Miami’s next opponent, checked in at No. 3 on his list.
Crawford also noted that he had downgraded several teams he still views as elite because of quarterback concerns in Week 10.
Couple notes in my personal top-10 power rankings …
- I've downgraded many perceived elite teams with QB worries in Week 10.
- Big Ten's four-peat quest over. League's biggest CFP title threat right now might be USC.
- Only 2 teams outside SEC are capable of winning CFP. pic.twitter.com/P32fRzbWwB
- Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) November 2, 2026
There’s plenty to debate in the order, but Crawford’s list still reflects the shape of the race heading into the first official CFP reveal. And with three ranked-on-his-board matchups on deck in Week 10 - Alabama-LSU, Georgia-Ole Miss and Miami-Notre Dame - next week’s version figures to look different.
In Other News...
LSU Just Got A Stark Reminder About SEC Eligibility Rules
Missouri is dealing with an eligibility issue that doubles as a warning shot for the rest of the SEC. Guard CJ Gunn has been ruled ineligible by the conference after signing a professional contract and receiving payment to play in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, a move that runs afoul of the leagues rule on college basketball players who turn pro after enrolling.
Coach Dennis Gates confirmed the ruling and said there is no appeal, leaving Missouri without a path to get Gunn back on the floor through conference channels. The timing also shuts the door on the G League draft, a reminder that these eligibility questions can quickly spill beyond one roster and into a much wider set of consequences for teams trying to navigate the modern college game. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Will Notice What Alabama Is Worried About In Death Valley
Keelon Russells development has become part of the conversation in Tuscaloosa at exactly the wrong time for Alabama, with a trip to Death Valley looming and Kalen DeBoer trying to keep his young quarterback on track. DeBoer has leaned into the idea that Russell has to keep learning from past experiences while staying composed once the game starts, a reminder that Alabama is still sorting through some of the same growing pains that tend to show up when the pressure rises.
For LSU fans, that is the kind of worry worth noting because it speaks to what Alabama thinks could swing a marquee SEC showdown. The Tigers get the Crimson Tide at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and the buildup already suggests the visitors know they will need steadiness from Russell if they want to handle the noise, the stage and the challenge that comes with playing in Baton Rouge. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Could Be Getting An Important Frontcourt Boost Sooner Than Expected
LSUs frontcourt could get a welcome boost sooner than expected, with Noa Morro now trending toward a return as early as next week. Kim Mulkey said the senior has been back on the floor in practice and taking part in pregame warm-ups, a notable step for a player who had surgery in early September to address a stress fracture.
Morro brings a veteran presence to the Tigers after a career that included professional experience in Spain and international play for Spanish national teams before arriving in Baton Rouge. For LSU, getting her back into the mix would add depth and experience inside at a time when every healthy body matters, and the next step will be seeing how quickly she can work back into game shape once she is cleared. [Read more 🡒]