Miami and Notre Dame Shake Up Latest College Football Playoff Rankings

As we head into championship week, the College Football Playoff picture is starting to take shape - and Tuesday night’s rankings could be the final word on some of the season’s most hotly debated matchups. While the official CFP bracket won’t drop for a few more days, this week’s rankings are expected to answer several lingering questions, including the head-to-head debate between Miami and Notre Dame, the fallout from Texas A&M’s first loss, and whether teams like BYU and Texas can still sneak into the field.

Let’s break it down.

Miami vs. Notre Dame: A Debate Nearing Its End

One of the biggest storylines heading into the latest rankings is the Miami-Notre Dame debate. Both teams are done playing, and both have playoff-worthy résumés - but only one has the head-to-head win.

Miami, despite narrowly missing the ACC title game due to a tiebreaker, owns a win over Notre Dame. That’s a big bullet point on their playoff résumé. But the Fighting Irish have consistently been ranked ahead of the Hurricanes in recent weeks, thanks in part to a strong overall body of work and a pair of top-15 wins.

Now, with no more games left for either squad, Tuesday’s rankings will likely serve as the final verdict. If Miami jumps Notre Dame, the committee will have made a clear statement about the value of head-to-head wins. If not, it could signal that résumé depth and consistency still carry more weight in the eyes of the selection committee.

Texas A&M’s First Loss: How Far Will They Fall?

Texas A&M’s undefeated run came to a halt last weekend, and now the question is how much damage that loss does to their playoff hopes. The Aggies were a top-four lock before the stumble, but now they’re expected to slide - the only question is how far.

Oregon and Ole Miss are both sitting at 11-1 and have made strong cases to move up. If the committee sees either of those teams as more complete or more battle-tested, Texas A&M could find itself outside the top six - or even lower. That said, the Aggies still have one of the most complete teams in the country, and a strong showing in the SEC title game could be enough to keep them in the mix.

BYU, Texas, Vanderbilt: Still in the Hunt?

BYU, Texas, and Vanderbilt all closed out their regular seasons with wins, but they’re still on the outside looking in - at least for now. The Cougars are the most interesting of the bunch because they still control their own destiny. A win over Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship would likely punch their ticket to the playoff.

For Texas and Vanderbilt, the path is murkier. They’ll need chaos ahead of them - a surprise loss or two from teams ranked higher - to have a shot at sneaking in. But with the playoff committee showing a tendency to reward late-season surges and quality wins, nothing’s completely off the table just yet.

Projected 12-Team Playoff Field (Pre-Championship Week)

Before the final rankings are revealed, projections are starting to paint a clearer picture of what the 12-team field might look like. Here’s a look at one possible scenario based on current records:

1. Ohio State (12-0) - Undefeated and dominant, the Buckeyes have earned the top seed.
2. Georgia (11-1) - The reigning powerhouse is still very much in the mix after a strong season.
3. Indiana (12-0) - One of the season’s biggest surprises, the Hoosiers are unbeaten and dangerous.
4. Texas Tech (11-1) - A Big 12 title could lock them into a top-four seed and a first-round bye.
5. Oregon (11-1) - The Ducks are surging at the right time and could climb even higher with a conference title.
6. Texas A&M (11-1) - Their playoff fate hinges on how the committee views their lone loss.
7. Ole Miss (11-1) - Another SEC heavyweight with a strong case for a top-eight seed.
8. Oklahoma (10-2) - A two-loss team with quality wins and a shot to make some noise.
9. Notre Dame (10-2) - Still in the top 10, but vulnerable to being passed by Miami.
10. Alabama (10-2) - The Crimson Tide are still hanging around, as always.
11. Virginia (10-2) - A solid season puts them in the field, but likely as a lower seed.
12. Tulane (10-2) - The Green Wave are making history with a potential playoff berth.

How the 12-Team Format Works in 2025

This is year two of the expanded 12-team playoff, but the format has been tweaked. The five highest-ranked conference champions earn automatic bids. After that, the seven highest-ranked non-champs fill out the field.

Once the 12 teams are selected, they’re seeded based on ranking - not conference affiliation or auto-bid status. The top four seeds get a first-round bye, while seeds 5 through 12 square off in the opening round.

Here’s how the bracket breaks down:

First Round (Dec. 19-20)

• No. 5 vs. No.

12

• No. 6 vs.

No. 11

• No. 7 vs. No.

10

• No. 8 vs.

No. 9

Quarterfinals

• No. 1 vs. 8/9 winner (Cotton Bowl - Dec.

• No. 2 vs. 7/10 winner (Orange Bowl - Jan.

• No. 3 vs. 6/11 winner (Rose Bowl - Jan.

• No. 4 vs. 5/12 winner (Sugar Bowl - Jan.

Semifinals (Jan. 8)

• Fiesta Bowl
• Peach Bowl

National Championship (Jan. 19)

What’s Next?

Tuesday night’s rankings are more than just a preview - they’re the final checkpoint before championship weekend chaos takes over. For teams like Miami and Notre Dame, it’s judgment day. For others like BYU and Texas A&M, it’s a chance to regroup, refocus, and make one last push for a spot in the final 12.

One thing’s for sure: the playoff race is far from over, and the next few days are going to be a wild ride.