College Football Playoff Rankings Breakdown: Oregon Still Leads While Georgia Reclaims Top 12 Spot
The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are here and boy, do they come with some excitement. If you’re a fan of high-stakes showdowns or intense competition, this one’s for you. Not much has changed at the very top, but if you look closely, there’s plenty of shakeups that could alter the big picture. Here’s what stands out this week.
What’s Staying the Same: Oregon Leads the Charge
The Oregon Ducks remain rock steady at their position, leading the top five teams for the second consecutive week in the 12-team CFP rankings. Oregon has been nothing short of spectacular, handling their opposition with precision, which keeps them firmly in front.
The Ducks currently sit at No. 1, followed by Washington at No. 2, Michigan maintaining their solid spot at No. 3, and Florida State nestled in at No. 4. The teams holding positions No. 1 through No. 4 haven’t changed, and this makes sense when you take a hard look at Oregon and these other programs. They’ve been dominating their games, even on the biggest stages, and continue to prove that they deserve their bids to the postseason.
Top-tier Teams Looking to Dash to the Finish
Right behind the top four, you’ll find Ohio State at No. 5, a position they’ve held tightly to. You could say that the competition is fiercer than ever, especially as teams like Alabama are no doubt seeking to prove they’re worthy of being considered elite. The Crimson Tide sits inside the top six, which is a prime position should any of the top five teams slip up.
All of these schools have weathered the regular-season storm with incredibly strong records. Oregon, for instance, has a formidable 10-1 record, and they’ve been wearing down opponents on both sides of the ball, showing why they’ve been able to hold their No. 1 spot for weeks. With the CFP looking to shift to a 12-team playoff format soon, suddenly, it’s not just about getting to the top four anymore; it’s about staying within that top 12, and Alabama knows that.
Georgia Comes Clawing Back
The Georgia Bulldogs are back, baby! After some ups and downs, Georgia re-emerges in the rankings at the No. 8 spot after their win over Ole Miss. They’re now officially back in the Top 12 and have reignited their postseason dreams with a renewed fervor.
With just a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season, teams like Georgia can now climb the ladder and make big strides toward more prestigious bowl game selections. That being said, a clean record from Georgia in their final games will be essential if they want to rise further in the rankings and challenge for one of the coveted playoff spots.
Georgia’s defense, long heralded as one of the toughest in college football, played big in clutch moments against Ole Miss, pushing them back into the playoff picture with a solid 9-1 record. The Bulldogs’ fate is now in their hands—take care of business, and they could climb even higher.
Top 12 CFP Standings Right Now
Here’s a snapshot of where things stand:
- 1. Oregon: 10-1
- 2. Washington: 10-1
- 3. Michigan: 10-1
- 4. Florida State: 10-0
- 5. Ohio State: 10-1
- 6. Alabama: 9-1
- 7. Texas: 10-1
- 8. Georgia: 9-1
- 9. Missouri: 9-2
- 10. Louisville: 9-1
- 11. Tulane: 9-1
- 12. Penn State: 9-2
While the top spots seem almost locked up for the playoff picture, there’s plenty to be decided here. Texas, Alabama, and Georgia are all waiting for a slip-up among the top five or better bowl routes, should they not make it into the final four.
Florida State Builds Its Case
One Cinderella story worth mentioning is Florida State and their undefeated 10-0 record. A massive part of their dominance this season? Their ability to win big games at crucial times, and they’ve done just that. Hanging in that No. 4 spot, the Seminoles are clawing for a playoff bid this year for the first time in the College Football Playoff era, and there’s a buzz surrounding this possibility.
But will they hold on? Their schedule isn’t doing them many favors the rest of the way. Fans can expect Florida State to keep pushing forward, but as every college football fan knows, it’s usually at this point in the season where anything can happen – especially for teams with playoff aspirations.
The CFP Expansion: 12 Teams Shaking Up the Playoff Scene
If you’ve been keeping up with college football lately, you know that this is the last season before a major structural overhaul in the CFP. The field will expand to 12 teams next year, something that promises to bring a whole new level of fireworks around playoff times.
Here’s how the nearly here 12-team layout will work:
- Automatic bids will be given to the top six conference champions.
- The next six highest-ranked teams will receive at-large bids.
With this change, teams that sit outside the top four (like Georgia and Texas this year) would still have a chance to compete for a national title. Critics of the original four-team selection process argue that teams like the ones this year—who are stacked with talent and have stellar records—deserve a shot to show what they can do in a larger playoff field. The top four teams would continue to get a huge bonus: they’ll get a first-round bye.
Ohio State and Michigan Prepare for a Season-Defining Matchup
Buckle up, folks. The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is about to reach an all-new high this season.
The Big Ten showdown will essentially provide each team’s defining moment for the regular season. The top-two ranked Big Ten powerhouse programs are scheduled to face off next weekend, and this legendary game is expected to shake up the rankings, determine conference bragging rights, and throw a potential wrench in postseason plans. Can Michigan keep rolling, or will the Buckeyes turn the tables and steal a playoff spot?
For both teams, it’s not just about postseason hopes, it’s about pride. This game is everything, and sometimes, seasons are defined by moments like these.
Is Oregon Ready for the Showdown Everybody Predicts?
With high-octane football and a promising No. 1 ranking, Oregon is in everybody’s sights as one of the likely picks for the national championship game. With one final regular-season hurdle in the form of Oregon State, only time will tell whether the Ducks can avoid Louisville-style stumbles at the last hurdle.
Looking Ahead: Can Underdogs Like Tulane Stay in the Top 12?
Let’s talk Tulane. Quietly having themselves a great season, the Green Wave snuck into the No. 11 spot with a solid 9-1 record. Should they hold their position next week, they are almost guaranteed a significant bowl berth. It’s an underdog story embraced by Tulane fans, and really anyone who supports the smaller schools in college football. These rankings represent their chance to stand on the big stage.
If Tulane can stay the course, they could be one of the surprise teams in a 12-team playoff that has become a wild melting pot of football drama. It would be one heck of a story if they can find a way to stay in the mix or better yet, make the final cut.
The Alabama Factor: Always Waiting to Strike
Alabama isn’t out just yet—don’t forget what happened last time they were nearly left out of the playoff field.
With Nick Saban at the helm, the Crimson Tide’s playoff dreams are ever-present. Alabama boasts a 9-1 record and has shown flashes of brilliance against intense competition. If any team slips, Alabama could easily fill the void, reclaim their rightful spot in the final four, and once again play for a national title. But they need everything to go right, and that means winning the SEC and hoping one of the top four falters down the stretch.
Conclusion: A Tense Road Ahead
With just a few more weeks until the playoff field is completely set, the 2023 season has turned into a high-stakes roller coaster ride for teams sitting near the top and those fighting to make the cut further down the list. Whether you’re pulling for a favorite like Oregon or you’re cheering on an underdog like Tulane, there’s still plenty to be excited about. Georgia’s resurgence, Ohio State battling Michigan, and the thrilling possibility of a 12-team playoff next season – college football is delivering drama every step of the way.
Stay tuned because anything can, and probably will, happen.
Originally Written by: Shehan Jeyarajah
