College Football Playoff Rankings: CBS Sports predicts penultimate CFP Top 25

The latest College Football Playoff rankings predictions from CBS Sports are here ahead of the penultimate edition of the rankings. There is also a projected bracket based on who’s ranked highest and projected to win their conference title games.

The five highest ranked conference champions get a bid but are seeded according to their overall ranking. The remaining seven bids to the College Football Playoff go to at-large teams.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the latest CFP projections. We’ll start at the top of the predictions!

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are the projected top seed in the College Football Playoff at 12-0 right now. They’ve been the top dogs pretty much all season.

They’ll square off with Indiana for the Big Ten title and the winner is surely going to get the top spot in the rankings on Sunday. But this team looks like it’s set for a repeat.

2. Indiana

Indiana finished 12-0 in the regular season and dominated nearly everyone in their path. It’s like Curt Cignetti and crew are on a mission this year.

The Hoosiers have locked up a College Football Playoff spot, but will have a chance to grab the top seed against Ohio State, who handled them last year. 2025 is a new year, just saying!

3. Georgia

Georgia will play for another SEC title and should be in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night. A win locks up a first round bye for the Bulldogs.

But, they are a lock for the CFP, being 11-1 this year and only losing to Alabama, who they will face in Atlanta Saturday. But the difference between winning and losing this game will be massive in terms of where they’re placed in the bracket.

4. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders seem to be a shoe-in for the College Football Playoff, but a Big 12 title win Saturday will lock it up. It’ll also likely give them a first round bye.

A loss? Well, we have to be careful. Most think Joey McGuire’s crew is one of the best in the country, so splitting with BYU isn’t the biggest deal in the world, giving them one of the 12 spots.

5. Oregon

The Ducks won’t play for the Big Ten title this season, but they are 11-1 and ready to run it back in the College Football Playoff. Perhaps a home game will be good for them and not having a week off!

Dante Moore played one heck of a regular season, the offense is firing and the defense is clicking. Don’t rule out Dan Lanning and crew making a title run.

6. Texas A&M

The Aggies are still in contention for a home game in the College Football Playoff, despite losing to Texas. Don’t forget, this team is still 11-1!

Mike Elko leading this team to the CFP for the first time is a big accomplishment. Plus, a much debated Notre Dame team is one of their non-conference wins, so there is a pretty darn good resume here.

7. Ole Miss

All of the talk about Ole Miss has been about Lane Kiffin’s departure for LSU. Pete Golding takes over as head coach of a team that actually can make a run.

Led by Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy on offense, the Rebels are still explosive, despite losing Kiffin and other staff members. Ole Miss might still get a home game in the first round.

8. Oklahoma

The Sooners beat LSU to end the season and all but locked up a spot for the College Football Playoff, despite losses to Ole Miss and Texas (the Longhorns being on the outside looking in right now). A nice turnaround for Brent Venables and crew.

This is with a hobbled John Mateer at QB too. If he can give a little more of what we saw earlier this season, this could be a dangerous offense to deal with.

9. Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish won 10 games in a row to conclude the regular season and have losses to playoff bound Texas A&M and playoff contender Miami. That’ll be quite the debate this week!

But, the Irish have a Heisman contender in Jeremiyah Love at RB and are one of the hottest teams in the country. If they make another College Football Playoff run, it wouldn’t be surprising in the least.

10. Alabama

Alabama should make the College Football Playoff at 10-2 and by being SEC finalists at the minimum. If they win, yes they’re in.

But if the Crimson Tide lose and fall to 10-3, will they be penalized for that third loss and splitting with Georgia? History says no, but let’s not rule anything out.

CBS predicts penultimate College Football Playoff rankings

11. BYU
12. Miami
13. Texas
14. Vanderbilt
15. Utah
16. Michigan
17. USC
18. Virginia
19. Tulane
20. Arizona
21. North Texas
22. James Madison
23. Georgia Tech
24. Missouri
25. Tennessee 

Hypothetical College Football Playoff bracket

First Round Byes

1. Ohio State, Big Ten Champ
2. Indiana
3. Georgia, SEC Champ
4. Texas Tech, Big 12 Champ

First Round Matchups

No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 (No. 19) Tulane, Highest ranked G5
No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 (No. 18) Virginia, ACC Champ
No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Alabama
No. 8 vs. Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Notre Dame