UPDATE: The College Football Playoff rankings have just been released, confirming that Ohio State and Indiana remain at the top, while BYU faces a significant slide down the leaderboard. The latest rankings, unveiled on November 7, 2023, showcase the ongoing battle for playoff positioning as the season heats up.
The top four seeds, which would receive opening-round byes if the playoffs were held today, are Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. The committee’s decision reflects a shift from prioritizing conference champions to selecting the most competitive teams in college football.
The SEC dominates the rankings, occupying eight of the 25 spots, followed closely by the Big Ten with six teams. The ACC and Big 12 trail with five and four teams, respectively. Notably, the SEC boasts seven teams in the top 14, further solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse.
In a surprising twist, Oregon moved up just one position to No. 8 after a narrow victory over No. 21 Iowa. However, with upcoming challenges against formidable opponents like Minnesota, USC, and Washington, they remain in a precarious position; another loss could leave them vulnerable on the playoff bubble.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame climbed to No. 9, the highest-ranked two-loss team. The Irish (7-2) are in a strong position to secure a playoff spot, provided they win their remaining games against Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Stanford. “The committee really likes Notre Dame as a complete team,” stated Mack Rhoades, chair of the selection committee and Baylor’s athletic director.
At No. 10, Texas (7-2) is also a team to watch. Their upcoming matchups against No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M could prove pivotal. A split result in these games might lead to Texas becoming the first three-loss team to qualify for the playoffs.
In a dramatic fall, Brigham Young dropped five spots to No. 12 after a significant loss to Texas Tech. This drop indicates the committee’s current view of BYU (8-1) as lacking playoff potential. Utah is directly behind them at No. 13, with a dwindling chance of making the playoffs due to a weak remaining schedule.
The highest-ranked team from the ACC is currently Miami at No. 15. Their placement reflects the chaotic nature of the conference this season, as they fall behind three Big 12 teams. The Big Ten also sees its two-loss teams, USC and Michigan, ranked at No. 17 and No. 18, respectively.
The committee has also included a representative from the Group of Five, with South Florida ranking 24th after a commendable season (7-2). Should they continue winning, they could secure a playoff berth. Rhoades noted that South Florida has been the most consistent of the Group of Five teams to date.
As the playoff picture continues to evolve, fans and analysts alike are left wondering how future matchups will impact the rankings. With teams jockeying for position, the next few weeks will be crucial.
Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the race to the College Football Playoff!
