Fall is in the air, and that means one thing for college football fans – the race for playoff spots is heating up! The second edition of the College Football Playoff rankings dropped on Tuesday night, and the Oregon Ducks are still flying high in the top spot. But with Ohio State, Texas, Penn State and more nipping at their webbed feet, can the Ducks stay on course for a trip to the National Championship game? Let’s dive into the latest rankings and see how the playoff picture is shaping up.
Oregon Holds Strong at Number One
Fresh off a dominant 39-18 win over Maryland, the undefeated Oregon Ducks (10-0) retained their perch atop the CFP rankings for the second straight week. Led by Heisman candidate quarterback Bo Nix and a high-flying offense, the Ducks have their sights set on bringing a National Title back to Eugene for the first time since 2014. But the path won’t be easy, with tough tests against Utah and likely USC in the Pac-12 title game still to come. For now though, Oregon fans are quacking with delight over their team’s pole position in the playoff race.
Buckeyes, Longhorns, and Nittany Lions Round Out Top Four
Holding steady at number two are the Ohio State Buckeyes, who survived a brief scare against Maryland to remain unbeaten. Quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to light up scoreboards and is squarely in the Heisman Trophy mix. The Texas Longhorns, riding a six-game winning streak, jumped up one spot to number three. With running back Bijan Robinson gashing defenses, the Horns control their own destiny in the Big 12. Sliding into the fourth and final playoff spot for now are the Penn State Nittany Lions. Led by a punishing defense, PSU is dreaming of their first CFP appearance. But they’ll likely need to win out and get some help to hold off the teams just outside the top four.
Indiana Leads Chasing Pack of Contenders
Just missing out on the four team playoff are some talented football squads hungry for a chance to prove themselves on the big stage. The Indiana Hoosiers, who boast the nation’s top ranked defense, sit at number five. If they can knock off Michigan in a massive Big Ten East showdown on Thanksgiving weekend, the Hoosiers could be marching for more than just bowl eligibility. The six through ten slots belong to some dangerous teams – BYU, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Miami, and Alabama. All boast explosive offenses or shut-down defenses capable of taking down anyone. And looming just outside the top ten are a pair of SEC titans in Ole Miss and Georgia. The defending champion Bulldogs in particular can still play spoiler, with a huge matchup against Tennessee on deck this Saturday.
Projecting the 12-Team Playoff Field
If the season ended today, here’s how the 12-team playoff bracket would shake out based on the current CFP rankings:
- First Round Byes: #1 Oregon, #2 Ohio State, #3 Texas, #4 Penn State
- 12 Boise State at 5 Ohio State
- 11 Ole Miss at 6 Penn State
- 10 Alabama at 7 Indiana
- 9 Notre Dame at 8 Tennessee
Some juicy hypothetical matchups in there for sure! The 12-team CFP model is set to begin in 2025, but based on this mock bracket fans are already salivating over the possibilities. Having more teams in the mix will make the chase for playoff spots even more intense down the stretch.
The Stretch Run Begins Now
With the latest CFP rankings out, the college football world turns its attention to the crucial final weeks of the regular season. For the top contenders, there is no margin for error. One slip up could mean the difference between playoff glory and a disappointing bowl trip.
Will the Ducks soar all the way to Atlanta for the National Championship Game? Can the Buckeyes shoot their way to another title? Or will a dark horse contender crash the party? It’s all to play for as we hit the home stretch of this college football season. Buckle up your seat belts, because it’s sure to be a wild ride!
