As the twilight settles on college football’s conference championship weekend, let’s take another look at our Top 25 College Football Playoff rankings. There’s a new top team this week, but the group up top ultimately remains the same.
College Football Playoff Rankings | 1-5
Who makes the playoffs in our newest College Football Playoff rankings?
1) Alabama Crimson Tide (+1)
Georgia’s defense was dominant all season, but playing against Bryce Young and the Alabama offense proved to be a different test entirely. Young was immaculate against Georgia, and weapons like Jameson Williams and John Metchie III allowed the Crimson Tide to get ahead and stay ahead.
2) Georgia Bulldogs (-1)
Georgia rode an elite defense through 12 regular-season games. But they weren’t truly tested until they played Alabama. When the Bulldogs’ offense, led by Stetson Bennett, was forced to play catch-up, it simply couldn’t keep up.
Georgia’s regular-season dominance likely keeps them in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings, but this game proves the Bulldogs aren’t invincible.
3) Cincinnati Bearcats (–)
With standout performances from Desmond Ridder and Jerome Ford, the Cincinnati Bearcats held off the Houston Cougars and won the AAC Championship Game. Still undefeated to this point, and with a win over Notre Dame, the Bearcats have proven they belong in the top four of our College Football Playoff rankings.
4) Michigan Wolverines (–)
The Big Ten East was always better than the Big Ten West this year, and the Conference Championship Game did nothing but drive that point home. Michigan dominated a hapless Iowa squad, winning the Big Ten title and climbing to 12-1 on the year. With that win, the Wolverines are almost sure to have a playoff spot.
5) Ohio State Buckeyes (–)
Ohio State would have been playing this week had they beaten Michigan. Instead, they’re sitting out with two losses, likely awaiting a spot in the Rose Bowl against Utah.
College Football Playoff Rankings | 6-15
Which teams make up the 6-15 range in our College Football Playoff rankings?
6) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (–)
Notre Dame’s standing in our College Football Playoff rankings depends on the result of the Michigan-Iowa game. If Michigan loses, there’s a chance Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish could sneak into the top four.
7) Michigan State Spartans (+2)
Michigan State does not play this week and is awaiting a bowl assignment.
8) Baylor Bears (+5)
In a game for the ages, the Baylor Bears pulled off the upset against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. In the process, they won their first-ever Big 12 Championship Game. It’s a validating moment for Dave Aranda’s squad, and it lifts Baylor up our College Football Playoff rankings.
9) Oklahoma State Cowboys (-4)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have won ugly all season. Some teams can make that work, but it tends to be a less sustainable method of success. Give credit to the Cowboys — they had a great year and took Baylor down to the wire. But when ugly teams get too ugly, it’s hard to win. Spencer Sanders’ 4-interception performance was indeed too ugly.
10) Utah Utes (+6)
Oregon may have more flashy talent, but you won’t find a better-coached team in the Pac-12 than Kyle Whittingham’s Utah Utes. Utah thoroughly out-classed Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game, both on offense and defense.
With the help of star linebacker Devin Lloyd, they close out the pre-bowl season as the top-ranked Pac-12 team in our College Football Playoff rankings.
11) Pittsburgh Panthers (+1)
The Pitt Panthers are your 2021 ACC Champions. The losses to Western Michigan and Miami (FL) were deflating, but Pat Narduzzi’s squad found a way to fight through and make it to the pinnacle. And when faced with an explosive Wake Forest team, they shut them down — earning superiority at long last. Kenny Pickett‘s dominant season will go down in the record books for Pitt football, and it ended as magically as it could.
12) Oregon Ducks (-6)
Once lauded as a playoff contender, the Oregon Ducks’ Pac-12 hopes were crushed in unceremonious fashion on Friday night when the Utah Utes demolished Mario Cristobal’s squad 38-10. Both teams are now 10-3, but Oregon can’t be ranked anywhere near Utah with two head-to-head losses.
13) Oklahoma Sooners (-3)
After losing to Oklahoma State and Baylor, the Sooners are not in action on conference championship weekend.
14) Ole Miss Rebels (-3)
The Ole Miss Rebels are not in action on conference championship weekend.
15) Houston Cougars (-1)
The duo of Clayton Tune and Nathaniel Dell has been electric all season, but even they weren’t enough to make a dent in Cincinnati’s spotless record. Cincinnati proved itself a tier above. Meanwhile, the Cougars fall to 11-2 — a respectable record but well short of playoff consideration in our rankings.
College Football Playoff Rankings | 16-25
Which teams close out our Top 25 College Football Playoff rankings?
16) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (-1)
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons led Pitt 21-14 out of the first quarter. Then they were outscored 31-0 in the ensuing three quarters. A 4-interception day from Sam Hartman cost Wake the ACC title. As the conference runner-ups, they still finish ahead of NC State in our College Football Playoff rankings, but this one may sting for a bit.
17) NC State Wolfpack (+1)
The NC State Wolfpack are not in action on conference championship weekend.
18) Texas A&M Aggies (+1)
The Texas A&M Aggies are not in action on conference championship weekend.
19) Iowa Hawkeyes (-2)
The Hawkeyes may have won 10 games this year, but their status as the Big Ten West champion naturally over-hyped them heading into the Big Ten Championship Game. Until Kirk Ferentz gets some kind of competence at quarterback, his team will always be limited in its fight to take home the conference trophy.
20) Purdue Boilermakers (–)
The Purdue Boilermakers are not in action on conference championship weekend.
21) BYU Cougars (–)
The BYU Cougars are not in action on conference championship weekend.
22) UTSA Roadrunners (+1)
Meep meep. That’s really all you can say after UTSA’s fearless showing against the upset-minded Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Bailey Zappe put up a fight, but UTSA rode a full-team effort to a 49-41 victory.
Frank Harris, Sincere McCormick, Zakhari Franklin, De’Corian Clark, Spencer Burford, Clarence Hicks, Tariq Woolen … the list goes on. UTSA is the C-USA champion and a mainstay in our College Football Playoff rankings.
23) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (+1)
It wasn’t always pretty, but Billy Napier’s Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have simply found a way to win all season. That was the case again in the Sun Belt Championship against Appalachian State. The Cajuns emerged victorious and moved to 12-1 on the year. With that record, they’ve safely secured their spot in our Top 25 College Football Playoff rankings.
24) Wisconsin Badgers (-2)
The Wisconsin Badgers are not in action on conference championship weekend.
25) Utah State Aggies (N/A)
Blake Anderson’s Aggies crushed San Diego State 46-13 in the Mountain West Championship, so it’s only fitting that Utah State takes the Aztecs’ spot in our Top 25 College Football Playoff rankings. Behind the arm of Logan Bonner, Utah State’s offense has been a force to be reckoned with. Putting up 46 against SDSU’s defense isn’t a feat to take lightly.
Moving Out
- San Diego State Aztecs
Closing In
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Clemson Tigers
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Nevada Wolf Pack
- Coastal Carolina Chanticleers