The College Football Playoff Selection Committee dropped its third rankings of the 2025 season on November 18, 2025, and the top of the board looked familiar—but the race beneath it is heating up. Ohio State clung to No. 1 with a perfect 10-0 record, but it’s Indiana—unbeaten at 11-0—that’s making everyone rethink what ‘dominance’ even means anymore. The College Football Playoff released the full Top 25 just after noon Eastern Time, and while the Buckeyes stayed on top, the chaos behind them is the real story.
Who’s Moving, Who’s Stuck, and Who’s Watching
The committee’s third rankings show a clear pattern: teams that won big last week jumped, and teams that barely scraped by got left behind. Georgia climbed to No. 4 after a convincing win over Florida, while Texas Tech and Ole Miss both held at 10-1, squeezing into the top six despite a tougher schedule than many above them. Oregon slipped to No. 7 after a narrow win over Washington State—just enough to keep them in the conversation, but not enough to shake the perception that they’re coasting.Meanwhile, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Michigan all sat at 8-2, jostling for position just outside the top 10. It’s a tight cluster. One slip in the final two weeks could knock any of them out of playoff contention. And that’s the thing—this isn’t just about wins anymore. It’s about who you beat, where you won, and how convincingly.
The 12-Team Revolution Is Real
This is the first year of the expanded 12-team playoff format, and the stakes feel different. No longer is it about four teams fighting for a single spot. Now, there’s room for two at-large bids, maybe three. But that also means more teams are in the mix—and more heartbreaks waiting around the corner. The committee’s statement, echoed across ESPN and the official CFP site, was clear: “The final rankings on December 7 will determine the entire bracket.” That’s it. No more debates about “deserving” teams. Just the numbers, the record, and the committee’s final call.And the numbers are telling. Ohio State earned 1,573 points and 61 first-place votes from the 13-member panel. Indiana wasn’t far behind at 1,497. Texas A&M sat at 1,457, with just two first-place votes. That gap? It’s narrow enough to matter. But the perception? Ohio State still carries the weight of history, tradition, and a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in a game since September.
Who Got Left Behind
The drop-offs were just as revealing as the climbs. Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and South Florida all vanished from the Top 25 after losses that exposed deeper flaws. Louisville’s offense, once a spark, sputtered against Georgia Tech. Cincinnati’s defense gave up 41 to Houston. Pittsburgh? A 24-21 loss to Syracuse was the final nail. And South Florida? A 31-28 collapse against USF’s own backup quarterback made headlines nationwide.These aren’t just rankings—they’re obituaries for playoff dreams. One bad week can erase months of momentum. And with only two weeks left, the margin for error is gone.
What the Numbers Don’t Tell You
There’s a quiet tension here. Indiana is undefeated, but they haven’t faced a single top-10 team yet. Their schedule strength ranks 27th nationally. Ohio State has beaten three top-15 teams, including a 38-10 thrashing of Penn State. So why isn’t Indiana higher? Because the committee doesn’t just look at wins—they look at quality, context, and consistency. Indiana’s wins came against teams ranked 50th, 62nd, and 71st. Ohio State’s came against teams ranked 4th, 11th, and 14th.And here’s the twist: Texas Tech and Ole Miss are both 10-1, but Texas Tech’s loss came to Alabama on the road. Ole Miss lost to LSU in overtime. The committee sees that difference. And so do the fans.
What’s Next? Two Weeks That Could Reshape History
The final two weeks are a minefield. Indiana hosts Purdue—a team that beat Michigan—then closes with Northwestern. A slip here? The door slams shut.Ohio State faces Michigan in the Horseshoe. A win? They’re locked in. A loss? The entire playoff landscape explodes. Texas A&M plays Arkansas and then Texas. Win both? They’re in. Lose one? They’re out.
The final rankings drop on December 7. That’s 19 days from now. In college football, that’s an eternity—and a heartbeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Indiana ranked second despite an easier schedule?
The committee values undefeated records above all else in the 12-team format, and Indiana’s 11-0 mark is unmatched. While their schedule strength is lower than Ohio State’s, the committee has signaled that perfect records carry significant weight—especially when other contenders have losses. Indiana’s path to the playoff is now clearer than ever, but they must finish strong to keep it.
Could Ohio State lose to Michigan and still make the playoff?
Yes—but it’s unlikely. A loss to Michigan would drop Ohio State to 10-1, and with Indiana still undefeated, the committee would likely favor the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes would need Texas A&M or Texas Tech to lose their final two games, and Georgia to falter against Georgia Tech. It’s mathematically possible, but historically improbable. The committee rarely rewards one-loss teams over undefeated ones when the latter are in the top tier.
What does the 12-team format change about the rankings?
The 12-team format means six automatic bids go to conference champions, and six at-large spots are filled by the highest-ranked non-champions. That opens the door for teams like Texas Tech and Ole Miss, even with one loss. It also means more teams can stay in contention longer—making late-season games more intense than ever. The committee’s job is harder, but the drama is bigger.
How do the CFP rankings differ from the AP Poll?
The AP Poll is voted on by media members and often reflects popularity or narrative. The CFP Selection Committee uses data-driven metrics: strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and game performance. For example, while AP had Texas Tech and Oregon tied at No. 6, the CFP ranked Oregon higher because of their margin of victory in key games. The CFP is the only poll that matters for playoff seeding.
Who are the biggest threats to Indiana’s playoff spot?
The biggest threat isn’t another team—it’s their own schedule. If Indiana loses to Purdue or Northwestern, they’re out. But even if they go 11-1, teams like Texas A&M (10-1) or Ole Miss (10-1) could leapfrog them if they win out and Indiana stumbles. The committee has shown it won’t reward a weak schedule, no matter how perfect the record.
When will we know the final 12-team bracket?
The final rankings—and thus the entire 12-team playoff bracket—will be revealed on December 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The announcement will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed on the College Football Playoff website. The top four teams earn first-round byes, while seeds 5 through 12 play in the first round on December 20-21.