College Football Rankings: Robert Griffin III reveals his top 12 teams after Week 7

Week 7 is behind us and with that, Robert Griffin III has overhauled his top 12 College Football Playoff contender rankings. The former Heisman Trophy winner made a few notable choices — including his projected No. 1 overall seed.

Notably, five of the 12 teams come from the SEC — with just one of those teams earning a first-round bye. The Big Ten also hold Griffin’s No. 1 and No. 2 overall seeds, and No. 1 may surprise you.

Remember, the top four seeds in the CFP are now the top four highest-ranked teams instead of the top four highest-ranked conference champions. That being said, here are RG3’s CFP projections heading into Week 8.

1. Indiana

When Curt Cignetti told us to Google him during his introductory press conference last offseason, no one knew that he was going to turn Indiana into a national championship contender essentially overnight. After defeating Oregon on the road last week, the Hoosiers appear here to stay.

In response, RG3 has Indiana as his No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff if the regular season ended today. However, they’ll have to get past the No. 2 team on this list — the current No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 Poll.

2. Ohio State

While many of the preseason top five teams haven’t had the season that many expected, Ohio State has been every bit the national championship contender we expected them to be. They’re currently 6-0 and are coming up on a full calendar year since the last time the Buckeyes have lost a game.

Of course, fans will remember that loss very well. While The Game looms, the Buckeyes have their attention focused on Wisconsin this coming weekend on the road.

3. Miami

While the Big Ten duo of Indiana and Ohio State top RG3’s projection, Miami appears poised to carry its undefeated start to the season all the way into the College Football Playoff. They played — and beat — three ranked opponents in their first five matchups and won’t play another ranked team for the rest of the regular season.

While Miami knows it’s the team to beat in the ACC, the ‘Canes started the 2024 season 9-0 and eventually missed out on the CFP entirely. They have seven games left on their schedule before they can think about anything else.

4. Ole Miss

Ole Miss defeated Washington State 24-21 in a game where the Rebels were expected to take care of the Cougars handily at home. That wasn’t the case, but Ole Miss survived and improved to 6-0 on the season.

That sets up a top-10 matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia for Week 8. If the Rebels go on the road and beat the Bulldogs, they’ll only have one more ranked opponent (Oklahoma) to play before the regular season ends.

5. Texas Tech

Texas Tech has looked every bit the part of a College Football Playoff team since Week 1. They boast one of the nation’s highest-scoring offenses and having quickly become the talk of the Big 12 Conference.

Saturday’s matchup against Arizona State isn’t as high-stakes after the Sun Devils suffered their second loss of the season. Now, fans will look toward the Nov. 8 matchup against BYU as determining who the best team in the conference really is during the regular season.

6. Texas A&M

The Aggies are 6-0 for the first time since the 2016 season. Texas A&M defeated Florida 34-17 most recently, improving to 3-0 against SEC competition.

They can boost their stock even further with their upcoming competition. Mike Elko’s squad will travel to Arkansas this weekend to kick off a three-game road trip, which has two ranked matchups on the back end against No. 10 LSU and No. 16 Missouri.

7. BYU

BYU is the only other undefeated team in the Big 12 alongside Texas Tech. Depending on how the rest of the conference shakes up — Cincinnati and Utah recently became ranked — the Nov. 8 matchup could determine one half of the Big 12 Championship game.

Unlike the Red Raiders, the Cougars have a bit tougher schedule down the stretch. They take on the Utes at home this weekend and will travel to Cincinnati during the second-to-last week of the regular season.

8. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets are 6-0 for the first time since the 2011 season, and have been one of the biggest surprises of the first half of the 2025 college football season. Half of those wins have come by one score, but Georgia Tech has continued to find ways to win through seven weeks.

Additionally, Georgia Tech avoids Miami, Florida State and Virginia entirely during the regular season. That means the regular season finale against in-state rival Georgia will go a long way in determining both team’s fates this season.

9. Oregon

Oregon suffered its first loss ever in Big Ten play during Week 7, falling to Indiana 30-20 in Eugene. The Ducks are looked at as national championship contenders. Though, just not as a top-four seed at the moment, let alone as a playoff host.

The Ducks can win out and be just fine. Though, that’s easier said than done with a ranked USC squad on late its schedule, not to mention a 5-1 Washington squad the week after. They’ll seek redemption on the road against Rutgers during Week 8.

10. Alabama

Alabama has turned its season around like no other team since Week 1. Everyone wrote off Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide after their season-opening loss to Florida State and now, they’re ranked higher in the Week 8 AP Poll than they did during the preseason.

That’s because Alabama has rattled off three-straight wins against ranked SEC opponents including Georgia, Vanderbilt and Missouri. The opportunities continue this weekend with Saturday’s matchup against Tennessee.

11. Georgia

The Bulldogs have put their loss to Alabama behind them, defeating both Kentucky and rival Auburn by a combined score of 55-24. They’re now set to host a top-five Ole Miss team, Georgia can solidify itself as a legitimate playoff contender with a win over the Rebels.

Looking ahead, Georgia still has matchups against Texas and rival Georgia Tech. Both matchups would heavily strengthen the Bulldogs’ playoff resume.

12. Tennessee

For the second week in a row during SEC play, Tennessee has found a way to win. After defeating Mississippi State 41-34 in overtime last week, the Volunteers outlasted Arkansas 34-31 after the Razorbacks scored twice during the fourth quarter in a game that, at one point, looked out of reach.

This sets up a blockbuster showdown against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The matchup will feature two one the SEC’s most exciting one-loss teams — and both can’t afford to lose with the first College Football Playoff rankings just around the corner.