UPDATE: The latest College Football Playoff rankings have been unveiled, and the SEC continues to dominate with five teams poised for contention. The rankings, released on November 7, 2023, have intensified the playoff race as teams fight for the coveted spots in the expanded 12-team format.
In a stunning shift, Oklahoma surged three spots to No. 8 following its victory over Alabama, who remains at No. 10 despite suffering its second loss of the season. If the playoffs were to start today, the SEC would secure five positions: No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Georgia, No. 6 Mississippi, along with the conference champion and two at-large teams.
With just two Saturdays left in the regular season, the pressure is mounting. The Big 12 faces potential disappointment, especially if No. 5 Texas Tech wins the conference championship. Both No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah are in precarious positions due to weak schedules ahead, jeopardizing their playoff hopes.
Meanwhile, the ACC is grappling with similar issues. No. 13 Miami is the highest-ranked team from the conference but finds itself four spots below Notre Dame, despite winning their head-to-head matchup earlier this season. Committee chair Hunter Yurachek emphasized that the quality of losses is crucial in determining rankings, stating that Miami’s losses to unranked teams hurt their standing.
In the Big Ten, while No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana remain safe, the outlook for No. 7 Oregon is concerning. The Ducks, currently at risk of dropping below the cut line, must win their remaining games to avoid a potential playoff exit. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy warned, “If you’re Oregon, you better win out. A six-slot slide will have you out of the field.”
The Trojans of USC are still vying for a spot, recently moving up to No. 15 after defeating Iowa. However, they face an uphill battle to climb into playoff contention, needing significant wins to improve their standing.
As the playoff picture becomes clearer, the SEC’s grip on the rankings grows tighter, potentially leaving the rest of the conferences with fewer bids. Should the SEC secure five spots, the competition for the final bid will intensify among the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12.
As the playoff announcement looms on December 7, 2023, fans and teams alike are left to ponder the shifting dynamics and what it means for their championship aspirations. The next two weekends will be critical, with each game potentially reshaping the playoff landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.
