It was another shake-up Sunday in college football as the AP Top 25 Poll dropped, and with just days to go before the final College Football Playoff rankings are revealed, the postseason picture is starting to come into focus - even if it’s still a bit blurry around the edges.
Ohio State Stays on Top, Exorcises Its Michigan Demons
Let’s start at the top, where No. 1 Ohio State didn’t just beat Michigan - it put to rest some long-standing frustrations.
The Buckeyes’ win over the then-No. 15 Wolverines wasn’t just about rivalry bragging rights.
It was a statement. For a program that’s fallen short in The Game the past few years, this one felt personal.
And with the win, Ohio State looks locked in for the CFP and remains the team to beat.
Big Ten Flexes Its Muscle
The Big Ten is flexing in a big way. **No.
2 Indiana** continues its dream season, and No. 4 Oregon, now officially a Big Ten member, has held firm inside the top four.
Even No. 17 USC is making noise after a comeback win over UCLA.
The Trojans trailed at halftime but rallied to finish 9-3 - not enough to stay in the CFP hunt after their Week 13 loss to Oregon, but enough to potentially finish as the fourth-highest Big Ten team in the rankings.
That’s four Big Ten teams in the top 17 - and three of them in serious CFP contention. The conference could very well land multiple teams in the 12-team playoff field, depending on how things shake out next weekend.
Texas Spoils the Party, Climbs the Rankings
Speaking of shake-ups, No. 14 Texas played spoiler in a big way.
The Longhorns took down previously undefeated No. 7 Texas A&M, handing the Aggies their first loss of the season and shaking up the SEC title picture in the process.
That win helped Texas jump a few spots in the rankings and put a dent in A&M’s playoff hopes.
Alabama, Oklahoma Hold Steady - and Their CFP Spots
No. 10 Alabama took care of business in the Iron Bowl, beating Auburn and setting up a massive SEC Championship showdown with **No.
3 Georgia**. With the Aggies falling, the path is clear: win the SEC title, and Bama is in.
Lose, and things get complicated.
No. 8 Oklahoma, meanwhile, survived a scare against LSU.
The Sooners didn’t move in the rankings, but they did what they needed to do - win and stay in the CFP picture. With a top-10 ranking and a strong résumé, Oklahoma is still very much alive heading into Championship Weekend.
Big 12 Rematch Incoming: BYU vs. Texas Tech
In the Big 12, No. 11 BYU and **No.
5 Texas Tech** both handled their business, setting up a rematch in the conference championship. Both teams are sitting inside the top 12, but here’s where things get tricky: with limited space for at-large bids, one of these two might be playing for their playoff lives next weekend.
The winner probably punches a ticket. The loser?
They’ll need help.
The Bubble Watch: Who’s Still in the Mix?
Let’s talk bubble teams, because this is where things get tense. **No.
12 Miami**, No. 13 Vanderbilt, and **No.
15 Utah** are all sitting just outside the top 10, hoping for chaos above them. Miami leapfrogged Vanderbilt this week, and Texas jumped both after its win over the Aggies.
Utah, meanwhile, continues to hover just outside the conversation, needing a statement win and some help to sneak in.
Notre Dame at No. 9 is in an interesting spot. They didn’t move this week, but their playoff fate may rest on how the chips fall in the conference title games. They’re close, but not quite in the “lock” category just yet.
Group of Five: James Madison Leads the Way, but CFP Recognition Still Lacking
Over in the Group of Five, No. 19 James Madison remains the highest-ranked team in the AP Poll - but the CFP Selection Committee still hasn’t shown them love. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s done everything right on the field.
No. 20 North Texas and **No.
21 Tulane** are set to clash in the American Conference Championship, and the winner could earn a New Year’s Six bowl berth. It’s a critical matchup for Group of Five representation on the national stage.
Final Look at the Updated AP Top 25
Here’s how the full AP Top 25 looks after a wild weekend:
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas Tech
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- BYU
- Vanderbilt
- Texas
- Miami
- Utah
- Virginia
- USC
- James Madison
- Michigan
- North Texas
- Tulane
- Navy
- Arizona
- Tennessee
- Iowa
What’s Next?
With conference championship games on deck and the final CFP rankings looming, the next week will determine who gets in, who gets left out, and who’s headed for a New Year’s Six consolation prize. The top four are in the driver’s seat - but with so many teams still in the mix, buckle up. December football is here, and it’s about to get wild.