College Football Playoff Top 25: Third Official 2025 CFP rankings revealed

by: James Fletcher III8 hours agojdfletch3

As the latest College Football Playoff rankings release, there is promise for big movement across the board as many results shift the perception of top teams. The updated look at the College Football Playoff Top 25 and which teams have a path toward the 12-team CFP bracket at the conclusion of the regular season will help shape the final weeks of the regular season.

The five highest-rated conference champions are guaranteed a spot in the field, but not a first-round bye. The remaining seven bids will be filled by seven at-large qualifiers who can be slotted according to their ranking.

A slight shift from last season’s format, this brings added clarity to the process throughout the season and ensures the top teams will benefit from their resume. Those who finish between 5-12 will participate in the first round, hosted by the higher seed before subsequent rounds are played at traditional bowl sites.

Through 12 weeks of results, here is how the selection committee ranked the Top 25 teams with a chance to earn their spot in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. As the resumes continue to shift, the rankings will reflect the latest landscape.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State maintains an undefeated record in the College Football Playoff rankings, picking up a convincing win over UCLA this week. The Buckeyes and Ryan Day continue to solidify their spot atop the rankings as the season continues.

Upcoming schedule: Rutgers, at Michigan

2. Indiana

Indiana continues to survive and advance with an undefeated record this season, taking down Wisconsin comfortably this weekend. As Curt Cignetti and his team continue to build their regular season resume, they now have just one stop left.

Upcoming schedule: at Purdue

3. Texas A&M

Oct 18, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. — © Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Texas A&M pulled off one of the best comebacks wins of the season against South Carolina this weekend, leaving no doubt they have the pedigree needed. Mike Elko has things rolling and locked up a new long-term deal in the process.

Upcoming schedule: Samford, at Texas

4. Georgia

Georgia faced a tough test of its own this weekend, handling Texas with ease to further solidify their College Football Playoff resume. Outside of one loss, Kirby Smart’s group appears set to play for postseason glory once again.

Upcoming schedule: Charlotte, at Georgia Tech

5. Texas Tech

Texas Tech put up another dominant performance against UCF this weekend, further solidifying their spot atop the Big 12. Joey McGuire and his team have the resume to not only compete for a College Football Playoff spot, but a first-round bye.

Upcoming schedule: at West Virginia

6. Ole Miss

Ole Miss Lane Kiffin Florida job — Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss continues to navigate the SEC schedule and look primed to make the College Football Playoff this season. Lane Kiffin’s team handled business against Florida and now has just one regular season matchup left against Mississippi State.

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Upcoming schedule: at Mississippi State

7. Oregon

Oregon had a much easier time against Minnesota this week than it did against Iowa the week before, keeping them on track for a CFP bid. Dan Lanning and his group have a resume which lines up and possesses more chances to turn heads down the stretch.

Upcoming schedule: USC, at Washington

8. Oklahoma

Oklahoma picked up a massive win for their College Football Playoff resume, knocking off Alabama on the road to move them up the board of two-loss teams. Brent Venables and his team is now firmly in the conversation for a spot in the postseason.

Upcoming schedule: Missouri, LSU

9. Notre Dame

Notre Dame continues a strong run through the back of the regular season, making up ground after two early losses. Marcus Freeman’s group took care of business once again this week by dominating against Pittsburgh after a College GameDay highlight.

Upcoming schedule: Syracuse, at Stanford

10. Alabama

Alabama suffered its first setback since Week 1 with a loss against Oklahoma at home. Kalen DeBoer and his team must now look to bounce back with less margin for error coming to the conclusion of the regular season as they stack up their resume with two-loss teams.

Upcoming schedule: Eastern Illinois, at Auburn

11. BYU

BYU bounced back from a loss to Texas Tech by taking care of business against TCU this weekend. Kalani Sitake and his team now look to finish the regular season strong and solidify their CFP resume down the stretch.

Upcoming schedule: at Cincinnati, UCF

12. Utah

Sep 13, 2025; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham during fourth quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. — © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Utah shifts up the board after BYU’s drop, keeping the Big 12 in the mix for multiple bids into the College Football Playoff. The Utes come off a bye week, with their only two losses of the season coming against fellow conference contenders BYU and Texas Tech.

Upcoming schedule: Kansas State, at Kansas

CFP Top 25 Rankings

13. Miami
14. Vanderbilt
15. USC
16. Georgia Tech
17. Texas
18. Michigan
19. Virginia
20. Tennessee
21. Illinois
22. Missouri
23. Houston
24. Tulane
25. Arizona State