UPDATE: The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings have just been released, confirming that Ohio State and Indiana remain at the top, while Brigham Young University (BYU) has seen a significant slide. Released on November 7, 2023, no changes were made to the top five, with fierce discussions continuing around the selection committee’s choices.
As it stands, if the playoff field were set today, the top four seeds would be Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. This shift highlights a departure from the traditional conference champion model, favoring the strongest teams instead. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) dominates the rankings, securing eight of the 25 spots, while the Big Ten follows with six teams and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) trails with only five.
Notably, Oregon has climbed to No. 8 after a narrow victory over No. 21 Iowa. However, with a record of 8-1, they face potential danger if they falter in upcoming games against Minnesota, USC, or Washington. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has moved up to No. 9, solidifying their status as the highest-ranked two-loss team. Committee Chair Mack Rhoades, Baylor’s athletic director, emphasized the Irish’s impressive run game, stating, “The committee really likes Notre Dame as a complete team.”
In a surprising twist, if the playoffs commenced today, Texas would be the last team in with a record of 7-2. Their upcoming matchups against No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M will be crucial. A split in these games could allow Texas to make history as the first three-loss team to enter the CFP.
On the other hand, BYU’s significant drop to No. 12 reflects the selection committee’s concerns regarding their playoff viability after a lopsided loss to Texas Tech. Similarly, Utah remains at No. 13, just below BYU, with limited opportunities to improve their standing.
The highest-ranked team from the ACC is No. 15 Miami, indicating ongoing struggles within the conference. Both USC and Michigan find themselves in the rankings at No. 17 and No. 18, respectively, but have potential to rise with challenging opponents ahead.
In a rare inclusion, South Florida has secured a spot at No. 24 after consistent performances, marking a bright spot for the Group of Five conferences. Rhoades noted that they were deemed the most consistent of the Group of Five teams to date.
The implications of these rankings are significant, especially for teams vying for at-large berths. If the ACC continues to struggle, there is a remote chance that two teams from the Group of Five could surpass the conference champion from the ACC, potentially leading to an unprecedented exclusion.
As the season progresses, eyes will be on these teams as they prepare for critical matchups that could determine their playoff fates. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the drama unfolds in the coming weeks.
