UPDATE: The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings have just been released, solidifying Ohio State and Indiana at the top. This announcement, made on November 7, 2023, sees both teams maintaining their positions, while BYU suffers a significant drop.
As it stands, should the field be selected today, the top four seeds would include Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. This shift marks a departure from automatic conference champion selections, now favoring the best teams overall.
The SEC dominates the rankings with eight teams making the cut, while the Big Ten follows with six. The ACC has just five representatives, with Miami being the highest-ranked at No. 15. This stark contrast highlights the SEC’s strength, filling seven of the top 14 spots.
Notably, Oregon managed to climb to No. 8 after a narrow victory over No. 21 Iowa, but remains precariously positioned. A loss in any upcoming games could jeopardize their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, Notre Dame moved up to No. 9, positioning themselves as the top two-loss team, contingent upon victories against Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Stanford.
The Longhorns from Texas, ranked No. 10, are also in a compelling situation. They face No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M next. A split in these matchups could potentially lead them to be the first three-loss team to qualify for the CFP, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the rankings.
In a surprising turn, Brigham Young fell five spots to No. 12 after a crushing loss to Texas Tech. This indicates the committee does not currently view them as contenders for the playoff. Similarly, Utah remains stagnant at No. 13 and is unlikely to secure an at-large berth due to a weak schedule.
The Group of Five conferences see a representative with South Florida entering at No. 24, after an impressive season. If they win out, they could secure a spot. The committee chair, Mack Rhoades, noted their consistency compared to other Group of Five teams.
As the CFP landscape continues to evolve, key matchups in the coming weeks could redefine the playoff picture. Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching how these developments unfold as the season progresses.
