With the College Football Playoff bracket set to be unveiled this Sunday, the latest rankings from the CFP Selection Committee have added a fresh layer of intrigue heading into championship weekend. These rankings are more than just a snapshot - they’re a signal of how the committee is viewing résumés, head-to-head results, and the all-important “eye test” as the final pieces of the postseason puzzle fall into place.
Idle Teams, Moving Targets
One of the key takeaways from this week’s update is that even teams not suiting up on Saturday aren’t locked into their current positions. CFP Committee chair Hunter Yurachek made it clear: just because a team is idle doesn’t mean it’s immune to movement.
That’s especially relevant for programs like No. 10 Notre Dame, No.
12 Miami, No. 13 Texas, and No.
14 Vanderbilt - all of whom are essentially waiting to see how the dust settles.
Notre Dame’s slide behind No. 9 Alabama raised some eyebrows, particularly considering the Crimson Tide’s own question marks.
But the committee clearly liked something about Alabama’s body of work - or perhaps didn’t like enough about the Irish’s - to make the switch. Either way, it’s a reminder that nothing is static in the CFP race, especially with championship games looming.
Texas A&M Takes a Tumble
One of the biggest drops of the week came from Texas A&M, who fell from No. 3 to No. 7 after a loss to in-state rival Texas. The Aggies had been riding high, but that defeat was a gut punch to their playoff hopes - at least for now. The committee’s reshuffling shows how quickly fortunes can change when a top-tier matchup doesn’t go your way.
The Cluster at 4-6: Texas Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss
No. 4 Texas Tech, No.
5 Oregon, and No. 6 Ole Miss remain bunched together, with the committee essentially viewing them as part of the same tier.
That grouping didn’t shift this week, which suggests the committee is waiting to see how each performs in their respective conference title games before making any bold moves. All three are still very much in the hunt - but only so many seats are available at the playoff table.
Alabama’s Wild Card Status
Alabama at No. 9 is one of the most fascinating situations heading into the SEC Championship Game. If the Tide lose to No.
3 Georgia, their playoff fate is far from certain. But if they beat the Bulldogs?
That’s where things could get chaotic. Alabama could shoot up the rankings - possibly into the top four - depending on how other games shake out.
The committee has shown flexibility in past years, but there’s no guarantee.
BYU’s Margin for Error
No. 11 BYU is also in a precarious position.
A loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship could push the Cougars out of the 12-team field altogether. The committee hasn’t always penalized teams for losing a conference title game, but BYU’s earlier 22-point loss to Texas Tech doesn’t help their case.
They’ll need to be far more competitive this time around if they want to hold onto their spot.
Miami, Vanderbilt, and the Waiting Game
Miami’s head-to-head win over Notre Dame is fueling debate, especially with the Hurricanes sitting two spots behind the Irish at No. 12.
Miami will be closely watching BYU’s result - a Cougars loss could crack the door open. Vanderbilt, at No. 14, needs a lot to go right, but in college football, strange things happen every December.
They’re not out of it yet, but the odds are long.
Virginia’s Inside Track and the Group of Five Wildcards
No. 17 Virginia is in a strong position thanks to the rule that only the five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed CFP spots.
If the Cavaliers win their title game, they could leapfrog into the final bracket. And don’t overlook the Group of Five - with No.
24 North Texas and No. 25 James Madison both ranked, there’s a real chance for multiple bids from outside the Power Five.
That could complicate things for teams on the bubble.
Oregon’s First-Round Mystery
If Oregon holds at No. 5, their first-round opponent is still very much up in the air. With so many moving parts - from BYU’s fate to how the Group of Five shakes out - the Ducks could draw any number of challengers. It’s a reminder of how fluid the bottom half of the bracket remains, even as the top seeds start to solidify.
Final Rankings Snapshot
Here’s where things stand heading into championship weekend:
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Georgia
- Texas Tech
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Notre Dame
- BYU
- Miami
- Texas
- Vanderbilt
- Utah
- USC
- Virginia
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Tulane
- Houston
- Georgia Tech
- Iowa
- North Texas
- James Madison
With just days left before the final bracket is revealed, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Championship Saturday is shaping up to be a decisive - and possibly chaotic - finale to a season that’s already delivered its fair share of twists. Buckle up.