College Football Playoff Rankings: Fourth CFP Top 25 revealed after Week 12
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee provided the latest update to its Top 25 rankings. After much debate over the criteria used and the order of teams over recent weeks, the committee released an updated look at which teams have the best resumes. After a change at No. 1 last week, more changes came to the CFP rankings following Week 12.
During ESPN’s Tuesday night reveal show, the CFP Selection Committee provided a pivotal update on how they view each Top 25 team based on the latest results and ongoing power struggles between key storyline builders. As the season nears a conclusion, the committee looks at each data point for evenly matched teams and weighs the value of certain wins and losses.
A serious injury to Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis sparked debate over which of the five undefeated teams in the CFP picture would find themselves on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, everyone looks forward to at least one 11-0 team dropping a game this week as Michigan and Ohio State square off for the Big Ten East title and an extra game on the schedule against Iowa.
The six undefeated teams remaining after Week 12 are Georgia, Florida State, Liberty, Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington. As the season continues to hit fans with plenty surprises, take a look at how the 2023 CFP Top 25 rankings stand with one week left in the regular season.
1. Georgia (11-0)
After surging to No. 1 in last week’s CFP rankings, Georgia backed up the change with a dominant win over Tennessee on Saturday. With just a rivalry matchup against Georgia Tech left to cap the regular season, talk around the sport has already turned to the ramifications of the SEC Championship game.
Again facing off against Alabama, many have wondered how the committee would handle a scenario which includes one-loss Georgia and one-loss Alabama, but the Bulldogs can put that to bed by continuing their winning streak.
2. Ohio State (11-0)
Ohio State dropped from the top spot in the CFP rankings last week after Georgia’s resume surpassed theirs in the eyes of the playoff committee.
While they have rolled through the rest of the Big Ten so far, a road test against Michigan will determine not only the Big Ten East champion but bring the list of undefeated teams in the playoff picture down. No matter the outcome, many will wonder whether the losing team still has a path to the College Football Playoff.
3. Michigan (11-0)
Michigan remains undefeated under interim head coach Sherrone Moore, who holds down the ship until Jim Harbaugh can return for postseason matchups. If the Wolverines want that to be a multiple-game run, they must win on Saturday.
The debate about a one-loss Big Ten team will no doubt dominate headlines by Sunday, but the winner becomes a heavy favorite to lock up their College Football Playoff spot in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa.
4. Washington (11-0)
Washington continued the difficult run through Pac-12 opponents with a win over Oregon State and now needs to handle business against rival Washington State before a potential Pac-12 Championship game.
Given the necessary movement of teams above Washington in the CFP rankings, they remain in full control of their destiny as an undefeated team in the playoff picture with a growing resume.
5. Florida State (11-0)
Florida State took a major hit to their CFP hopes when starting quarterback Jordan Travis went down with a season-ending injury against North Alabama. Now backup Tate Rodemaker will take the field for a rivalry game against Florida and the ACC Championship against Louisville.
All is not lost for the Seminoles yet, as their undefeated record puts them in position to compete with any one-loss team’s resume provided the offense plays well enough to keep them among the undefeateds.
6. Oregon (10-1)
Oregon remains the top one-loss team and faces in-state rival Oregon State next week to cap the regular season. A potential rematch with Washington remains on the horizon in the Pac-12 Championship game.
The debate about one-loss CFP contenders will undoubtedly ramp up next week when either Michigan or Ohio State makes their case to stay above Oregon. The value of comparing resumes will again become a major point as people look at numerous outcomes.
CFP Top 25 Rankings
7. Texas (10-1)
8. Alabama (10-1)
9. Missouri (9-2)
10. Louisville (10-1)
11. Penn State (9-2)
12. Ole Miss (9-2)
13. Oklahoma (9-2)
14. LSU (8-3)
15. Arizona (8-3)
16. Oregon State (8-3)
17. Iowa (9-2)
18. Notre Dame (8-3)
19. Kansas State (8-3)
20. Oklahoma State (8-3)
21. Tennessee (7-4)
22. NC State (8-3)
23. Tulane (10-1)
24. Clemson (7-4)
25. Liberty (11-0)