College Football Playoff Top 25: Penultimate CFP rankings revealed

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III11/29/22

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The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its updated 2022 rankings after an upset-filled rivalry week across college football which wrapped up the regular season and set up conference championship matchups across the country. The committee updated the data and debated the many matchups to rank the top contenders for the four-team playoff and those with a chance at the New Year’s Six bowls during ESPN’s final Tuesday night reveal show of the year.

The CFP Selection Committee provides a new Top 25 based on the latest results and ongoing power struggles between key storyline builders each week, setting the table for the postseason week-by-week. As the season winds down, the committee looks at each data point for evenly matched teams and weighs the value of certain wins and losses.

After winning the national championship last season, Georgia avoided the upset bug to stay on track to defend its title with a return to the CFP, finishing undefeated in the regular season entering the SEC Championship. Michigan proved a point with a dominant win over Big Ten rival Ohio State, earning a place in the Big Ten Championship and all but sealing a second CFP appearance in a row.

Georgia, Michigan and TCU become the three schools to boast an undefeated regular season but must take care of business in the conference championship week to lock up their CFP spot. USC moves into the top four behind first-year head coach Lincoln Riley and Heisman Trophy candidate Caleb Williams. After a quick re-shuffle of the teams falling in line behind them, take a look at the new-look CFP Top 25 rankings ahead of the final round of regular season action.

Week 14 CFP Rankings

1. Georgia (12-0)

2. Michigan (12-0)

3. TCU (12-0)

4. USC (11-1)

5. Ohio State (11-1)

6. Alabama (10-2)

7. Tennessee (10-2)

8. Penn State (10-2)

9. Clemson (10-2)

10. Kansas State (9-3)

11. Utah (9-3)

12. Washington (10-2)

13. Florida State (9-3)

14. LSU (9-3)

15. Oregon State (9-3)

16. Oregon (9-3)

17. UCLA (9-3)

18. Tulane (10-2)

19. South Carolina (8-4)

20. Texas (8-4)

21. Notre Dame (8-4)

22. UCF (9-3)

23. North Carolina (9-3)

24. Mississippi State (8-4)

25. NC State (8-4)