The latest set of College Football Playoff rankings are out now! While there wasn’t any movement in the top four teams, a wild Week 11 of college football shook up the rest of the CFP Top 25, which may have further implications down the line.
Between now and “Selection Sunday” on Dec. 4, these CFP rankings will be released weekly, revealing the four teams that will contend for a shot at the College Football National Championship.
College Football Playoff Rankings
For every team in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, you’ll find a series of stats. Those include their rankings by multiple outlets — including Pro Football Network’s College Football Top 25 — following Week 11 of the college season.
SOS stands for strength of schedule and is from sports-reference.com. It attempts to quantify how easy a team’s schedule has been. The higher the number, the harder the schedule.
1) Georgia Bulldogs
AP Poll: 1st | Coaches Poll: 1st | PFN Ranking: 1st | Record: 10-0 | Offensive Rank: 7/131 | Defensive Rank: 2/131 | Points scored: 406 (40.6 PPG) | Points allowed: 116 (11.6 PAPG) | SOS: 3.65 (31/131)
The Georgia Bulldogs remain on top of the College Football Playoff rankings following their comfortable win over Mississippi State on Saturday. In capturing the SEC East, they’re guaranteed three more games before the final CFP rankings are released on Dec. 4. It’d be foolish to bet against them winning them all and capturing the SEC Championship that evaded them last season.
Stetson Bennett continues to lead an offense that ranks in the top 10 of the nation in points per game, kept upright behind one of the country’s top offensive lines and with reliable and dynamic playmakers like Brock Bowers. Meanwhile, if the old adage that defense wins championships rings true once more, Georgia is well-placed to be the first team to repeat as national champions in the CFP era.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes
AP Poll: 2nd | Coaches Poll: 2nd | PFN Ranking: 2nd | Record: 10-0 | Offensive Rank: 2/131 | Defensive Rank: 7/131 | Points scored: 468 (46.8 PPG) | Points allowed: 156 (15.6 PAPG) | SOS: 2.28 (46/131)
On the back of a defensive renaissance this season, the Ohio State Buckeyes have become one of the most balanced teams in the nation. Counterweighting an electric offense that returned to fine form behind C.J. Stroud‘s Heisman Trophy resurgence in a 56-14 Indiana is no mean feat. However, Jim Knowles’ unit has been ferocious this fall.
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The result is a continuation of the second place they inherited in the last College Football Playoff rankings. Ohio State’s significant strength of schedule advantage over Michigan keeps them ahead of the Wolverines and should do so through next week. Only defeat in “The Game” rivalry with Michigan stands between the Buckeyes and the final four. Even that might not be fatal, depending on results elsewhere.
3) Michigan Wolverines
AP Poll: 3rd | Coaches Poll: 3rd | PFN Ranking: 3rd | Record: 10-0 | Offensive Rank: 5/131 | Defensive Rank: 1/131 | Points scored: 414 (41.4 PPG) | Points allowed: 112 (11.2 PAPG) | SOS: -1.52 (78/131)
As their defense surpasses Georgia to be ranked No. 1 in the nation — as far as points allowed per game is concerned — the Wolverines hold firm at three in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Michigan’s postseason destiny is very much in their hands. Win “The Game” and they’re in when the final CFB rankings are announced on Dec. 4.
Michigan held Nebraska to just three points on Saturday. While the Cornhuskers have had their struggles this season, it was just the second time this season they’ve been held under 10 points. Meanwhile, Blake Corum continues to be the offensive catalyst, running free behind one of the best lines in the nation. The Wolverines’ one-dimensional offense might be considered workmanlike, but it’s damn effective.
4) TCU Horned Frogs
AP Poll: 4th | Coaches Poll: 4th | PFN Ranking: 4th | Record: 10-0 | Offensive Rank: 8/131 | Defensive Rank: 73/131 | Points scored: 388 (43.1 PPG) | Points allowed: 224 (26.9 PAPG) | SOS: 3.91 (26/131)
TCU solidified their place in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings following a resounding win over Texas that answered many of the question marks that dogged the Horned Frogs’ candidacy in the initial CFP rankings release.
“TCU always has to play from behind.” They led through a second-quarter field goal and never relinquished the lead.
“TCU’s defense makes them unbalanced.” The Horned Frogs kept the Longhorns under 200 total yards, allowed just one third down on 13 attempts, and held arguably the best running back in the nation to just 29 yards while forcing an interception out of Quinn Ewers.
TCU is a legitimate CFP contender, and after their win on Saturday, they’re guaranteed to contest the Big 12 Championship Game. Their fourth-place ranking following college football Week 11 might not be the ceiling of their ranking potential.
5) Tennessee Volunteers
AP Poll: 5th | Coaches Poll: 5th | PFN Ranking: 5th | Record: 9-1 | Offensive Rank: 1/131 | Defensive Rank: 38/131 | Points scored: 474 (47.4 PPG) | Points allowed: 219 (21.9 PAPG) | SOS: 4.31 (26/131)
Tennessee bounced back from their disappointment against Georgia with a convincing beatdown of Missouri. Wins alone aren’t enough to propel them up the College Football Playoff rankings this week. However, if results go their way elsewhere over the next three weeks, amassing enough points to reclaim the crown as the top-scoring offense in the nation should be something for the CFP Selection Committee to consider.
6) LSU Tigers
AP Poll: 6th | Coaches Poll: 7th | PFN Ranking: 7th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 39/131 | Defensive Rank: 29/131 | Points scored: 326 (32.6 PPG) | Points allowed: 210 (21.0 PAPG) | SOS: 5.91 (14/131)
Although they’re on the outside looking in following the release of the latest College Football Playoff rankings, the LSU Tigers are the ultimate wild card. Having booked their place in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game with a close-fought win over Arkansas, taking home the conference crown will make for a difficult and interesting conversation when the committee makes their final CFP rankings announcement on Dec. 4.
Can a two-loss team make the final four for the first time in CFP history?
7) USC Trojans
AP Poll: 7th | Coaches Poll: 6th | PFN Ranking: 6th | Record: 9-1 | Offensive Rank: 3/131 | Defensive Rank: 51/131 | Points scored: 424 (42.4 PPG) | Points allowed: 244 (24.4 PAPG) | SOS: 0.69 (62/131)
A Pac-12 team hasn’t made the CFP since 2016, with the conference’s ability to cannibalize any attempt to reach the final four becoming the butt of college football jokes. However, as they conquer (almost) everyone in their path, the USC Trojans have a genuine road to the College Football Playoff, even if they’re outside of the promised land in the latest rankings.
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If USC wins out, their dynamic offense makes them difficult to ignore as a one-loss Power Five champion when a maximum of three undefeated teams will be in contention.
8) Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Poll: 8th | Coaches Poll: 8th | PFN Ranking: 8th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 6/131 | Defensive Rank: 15/131 | Points scored: 406 (40.6 PPG) | Points allowed: 189 (18.9 PAPG) | SOS: 6.11 (13/131)
9) Clemson Tigers
AP Poll: 9th | Coaches Poll: 9th | PFN Ranking: 10th | Record: 9-1 | Offensive Rank: 28/131 | Defensive Rank: 28/131 | Points scored: 342 (34.2 PPG) | Points allowed: 210 (21.0 PAPG) | SOS: 2.81 (41/131)
10) Utah Utes
AP Poll: 10th | Coaches Poll: 10th | PFN Ranking: 12th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 12/131 | Defensive Rank: 23/131 | Points scored: 392 (39.3 PPG) | Points allowed: 200 (20.0 PAPG) | SOS: 2.47 (4/131)
11) Penn State Nittany Lions
AP Poll: 11th | Coaches Poll: 12th | PFN Ranking: 13th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 30/131 | Defensive Rank: 16/131 | Points scored: 340 (34.0 PPG) | Points allowed: 190 (19.0 PAPG) | SOS: 4.41 (25/131)
12) Oregon Ducks
AP Poll: 12th | Coaches Poll: 13th | PFN Ranking: 15th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 4/131 | Defensive Rank: 78/131 | Points scored: 422 (42.2 PPG) | Points allowed: 274 (27.4 PAPG) | SOS: 1.99 (50/131)
13) North Carolina Tar Heels
AP Poll: 13th | Coaches Poll: 11th | PFN Ranking: 9th | Record: 9-1 | Offensive Rank: 10/131 | Defensive Rank: 110/131 | Points scored: 401 (40.1 PPG) | Points allowed: 313 (31.3 PAPG) | SOS: 0.18 (67/131)
14) Ole Miss Rebels
AP Poll: 14th | Coaches Poll: 14th | PFN Ranking: 14th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 19/131 | Defensive Rank: 40/131 | Points scored: 361 (36.1 PPG) | Points allowed: 224 (22.4 PAPG) | SOS: 1.70 (57/131)
15) Kansas State Wildcats
AP Poll: 19th | Coaches Poll: 17th | PFN Ranking: 20th | Record: 7-3 | Offensive Rank: 49/131 | Defensive Rank: 12/131 | Points scored: 306 (30.6 PPG) | Points allowed: 175 (17.5 PAPG) | SOS: 7.64 (3/131)
16) UCLA Bruins
AP Poll: 16th | Coaches Poll: 16th | PFN Ranking: 16th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 11/131 | Defensive Rank: 71/131 | Points scored: 395 (39.5 PPG) | Points allowed: 264 (26.4 PAPG) | SOS: 0.09 (69/131)
17) Washington Huskies
AP Poll: 15th | Coaches Poll: 15th | PFN Ranking: 11th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 13/131 | Defensive Rank: 79/131 | Points scored: 384 (38.4 PPG) | Points allowed: 276 (27.6 PAPG) | SOS: 0.71 (61/131)
18) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
AP Poll: 18th | Coaches Poll: 19th | PFN Ranking: 19th | Record: 7-3 | Offensive Rank: 60/131 | Defensive Rank: 39/131 | Points scored: 297 (29.7 PPG) | Points allowed: 223 (22.3 PAPG) | SOS: 4.87 (20/131)
19) Florida State Seminoles
AP Poll: 20th | Coaches Poll: 20th | PFN Ranking: 21st | Record: 7-3 | Offensive Rank: 29/131 | Defensive Rank: 13/131 | Points scored: 340 (34.0 PPG) | Points allowed: 18.1 (13/131) | SOS: 4.07 (29/131)
20) UCF Golden Knights
AP Poll: 17th | Coaches Poll: 18th | PFN Ranking: 18th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 20/131 | Defensive Rank: 21/131 | Points scored: 359 (35.9 PPG) | Points allowed: 200 (20.0 PAPG) | SOS: 1.28 (59/131)
21) Tulane Green Wave
AP Poll: 21st | Coaches Poll: 22nd | PFN Ranking: 24th | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 37/131 | Defensive Rank: 17/131 | Points scored: 327 (32.7 PPG) | Points allowed: 190 (19.0 PAPG) | SOS: -1.21 (74/131)
22) Oklahoma State Cowboys
AP Poll: 24th | Coaches Poll: 24th | PFN Ranking: N/A | Record: 7-3 | Offensive Rank: 24/131 | Defensive Rank: 101/131 | Points scored: 349 (34.9 PPG) | Points allowed: 300 (30.0 PAPG) | SOS: 6.31(10/131)
23) Oregon State Beavers
AP Poll: 25th | Coaches Poll: N/A | PFN Ranking: N/A | Record: 7-3 | Offensive Rank: 41/131 | Defensive Rank: 36/131 | Points scored: 320 (32.0 PPG) | Points allowed: 216 (21.6 PAPG) | SOS: 1.73 (56 /131)
24) North Carolina State Wolfpack
AP Poll: N/A | Coaches Poll: 25th | PFN Ranking: N/A | Record: 7-3 | Offensive Rank: 83/131 | Defensive Rank: 14/131 | Points scored: 264 (26.4 PPG) | Points allowed: 181 (18.1 PAPG) | SOS: 3.22 (36/131)
25) Cincinnati Bearcats
AP Poll: 22nd | Coaches Poll: 21st | PFN Ranking: N/A | Record: 8-2 | Offensive Rank: 38/131 | Defensive Rank: 34/131 | Points scored: 326 (32.6 PPG)| Points allowed: 214 (21.4 PAPG)| SOS: -2.03 (79/131)