Projected College Football Playoff Rankings: Who’s in, Who’s Out?
Buckle up college football fans! It’s almost that time of year, as the path to the College Football Playoff (CFP) narrows down, and everyone’s debating who will make it into the final four and, ultimately, play for a national championship. On November 19, the latest College Football Playoff rankings will drop, leaving us with plenty of drama to dissect. We’re right in the heat of crunch time, with teams fighting to secure their spot and a few hoping for the chaos that shakes up the entire top four.
So, what’s it going to look like? Let’s break down the potential rankings and answer the big question on every college football fan’s mind: Who’s in, who’s out, and who still has a legitimate shot at jumping into the top four? Based on the current results and expert analysis, we’ve got some juicy predictions that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Here’s what we expect to see in this week’s CFP rankings.
No. 1: Georgia Bulldogs – Still Undefeated!
Let’s start with a pretty safe bet. The Georgia Bulldogs (10-0), led by head coach Kirby Smart, have been sitting atop the rankings as the No. 1 squad for a few weeks, and that’s not likely to change. The defending national champions just keep proving why they belong at the top.
Georgia absolutely demolished Ole Miss, winning 52-17 in what can only be described as a statement victory. Powered by a high-flying offense led by QB Carson Beck and a rock-solid defense, this team looks destined to keep their No.1 spot. Beck threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Rebels, and the Bulldogs piled up an impressive 611 yards of offense. With Tennessee up next, expect a gallant showing from the Dawgs.
No. 2: Ohio State Buckeyes – Surviving Close Calls
Next up, we’ve got the Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0), who remain undefeated but have had some close calls along the way. They pulled off a 38-3 win over Michigan State this past week, which surely helped to take some stress off their playoff bid as they kept pace atop the Big Ten East.
Quarterback Kyle McCord may not be blowing everyone away with huge numbers, but he’s been consistent, and the Buckeye defense is really what’s carried the squad through the season. They’ve got a big showdown against Michigan looming, and that might just decide if they stay in the top four or fall out.
In terms of threats, Ohio State ranks near the top defensively, and it’s a plus that they’ve taken care of business when they’ve needed to. As long as they don’t slip up, they should control their own destiny heading into the showdown with Michigan that everyone has circled.
No. 3: Michigan Wolverines – Eyes on “The Game”
Oh, how the rivalry showdown is shaping up! Michigan (10-0) and Ohio State are like mirror images of each other this season, both undefeated, both dominant on defense, and both eyeing THE marquee game at the end of this month to determine who reigns supreme in the Big Ten. Michigan has a defense that strikes fear in their opponent’s eyes, and guess what? The Wolverines have kept their winning streak alive despite the swirling off-field drama surrounding their coach, Jim Harbaugh, and a suspension.
Michigan’s performance has been fueled by their own dynamic QB play with J.J. McCarthy and a powerful run game led by Blake Corum. They’re firing on all cylinders. With a favorable matchup against Maryland in Week 12, it’s all about setting up that high-stakes clash with Ohio State for both pride and playoff seeding.
No. 4: Florida State Seminoles – Been Hanging In
Florida State (10-0) fans just need to keep the faith. The Seminoles haven’t been perfect, but they’ve still managed to stay undefeated. They’ll likely hold on to the No. 4 spot in the rankings, but it feels like they’re just one shocking upset away from opening the door for someone else to sneak into the College Football Playoff.
Florida State’s star quarterback Jordan Travis has been key to their success, regularly leading the team’s offense with both his arms and legs. While they haven’t been tested too hard in recent weeks, the Seminoles are holding steady. They handled Miami 27-20 this past weekend in what was a gritty but totally necessary win. All eyes will now be on their upcoming matchup against North Alabama before closing out their season against Florida.
Who’s on the Outside Looking In?
Of course, the top four isn’t officially set just yet, and history has taught us that, in college football, anything can happen that could shake up these rankings.
- Washington (10-0): You’ve got to feel for Washington, because despite being unbeaten and sitting at No.5, they can’t crack the top four yet. They picked up a solid win against Utah last Saturday and will have a showdown with Oregon State still to come. QB Michael Penix Jr. continues to put up eye-popping stats, and the Huskies hope their results eventually push them into the postseason conversation.
- Oregon (9-1): The Ducks are lurking at No. 6, waiting for someone to slip up ahead of them. Thanks to QB Bo Nix, Oregon’s offense has been lighting up scoreboards all year, including a recent win over USC. With Oregon already in place for a potential rematch with Washington in the Pac-12 Championship, they’re far from out of it.
- Texas (9-1): Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns are ranked 7th, and they’ve ridden an up-and-down season to get where they are. They couldn’t afford another blunder after a shocking upset loss to Oklahoma earlier in the year, but a strong finish against Iowa State and Texas Tech could give them the title of Big 12 champions and a chance to convince voters for a spot in the playoff.
Other Teams with Disappearing Playoff Hopes
While some teams are hoping to surge into the mix, others are seeing their chances fade into the darkness as the season ticks away.
- Alabama (9-1): Sure, the Crimson Tide are still hanging around and could win the SEC. Still, that early-season loss to Texas is hurting their case for jumping into the top four right now. They’ll have time to shift the narrative, but it feels like it’ll require complete chaos from here for them to leapfrog into a playoff spot.
- Ole Miss (8-2): The Rebels’ crushing defeat to Georgia last Saturday likely killed any sort of Cinderella playoff hopes. Lane Kiffin’s team will look towards a high-profile bowl game instead.
The next few weeks of college football are poised to be thrilling as the stage is set for massive matchups like Ohio State vs. Michigan and potential shakeups within the top four—and don’t even forget about those looming conference title games. One thing is certain: there’s no shortage of drama left this season!
- Key Dates to Watch:
- Ohio State vs Michigan: November 25
- Big Ten Championship: December 2
- Pac-12 Championship: December 1
- SEC Championship: December 2
So, get your popcorn ready. The next ranking updates on Tuesday will clarify the pecking order, but these final weeks of the regular season hold the potential to shake everything up just like they always do in college football.
Originally Written by: Paul Myerberg
