ESPN ranks Top 24 teams with highest chance to make College Football Playoff after Week 9

by: Grant Grubbs6 hours agogrant_grubbs_

With only five weeks remaining in the regular season, teams don’t have much longer to improve their College Football Playoff résumés. On Sunday, ESPN updated its rankings of its top 24 teams most likely to reach the CFP.

Six teams ranked in the AP Top 25 suffered losses this past weekend. However, only three of those losses were against unranked opponents.

While most of the top teams in the country handled their business on Saturday, ESPN still named a new team most likely to reach the CFP. Look below to see the new No. 1 team, along with where the 23 other squads fall in ESPN’s updated rankings.

1. Indiana Hoosiers | 97%

Indiana usurped Ohio State this weekend for the top spot in ESPN’s rankings. The Hoosiers boast a 97% chance of earning a spot in the CFP, per ESPN. It’s difficult to imagine a postseason picture without Indiana in it.

The Hoosiers are 8-0 this season and dominated UCLA in a 56-6 blowout on Saturday. It was a statement win, considering UCLA had been gaining momentum since firing head coach DeShaun Foster. Thus far, Indiana has looked impervious to upsets this season.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes | 96%

Sonny Styles-Ohio State — Sonny Styles (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

While ESPN no longer believes Ohio State has the best odds to appear in the CFP, fans should still expect to see them there. After all, the Buckeyes are 7-0 and have arguably the best defense in the country this season.

Ohio State is allowing just 5.9 points per game this season. For reference, the next best team in the country is giving up 10.4 points per contest. The Buckeyes didn’t play this weekend, but their 34-0 win over Wisconsin in Week 8 undoubtedly still looms large in CFP selection committee members’ minds.

3. Texas A&M Aggies | 96%

Texas A&M is as close to a guaranteed CFP team as there is in the SEC. On Saturday, the Aggies hammered LSU 49-25, causing the Tigers to fire head coach Brian Kelly.

With the win, Texas A&M improved to 8-0 for the first time since 1992. With no teams currently ranked within the top 15 remaining on their schedule, the Aggies have a clear path to finishing the regular season undefeated.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide | 93%

Unlike Texas A&M, Alabama’s record isn’t spotless. The Crimson Tide suffered a shocking loss against Florida State in their season-opener. However, the loss may have been the best thing that could’ve happened to the team.

Since the defeat, the Crimson Tide have looked like a different team, attacking each game as if it were their last. Most recently, Alabama escaped Columbia with a comeback win over South Carolina. Quarterback Ty Simpson has continued to serve as the cornerstone of Alabama’s impressive run.

5. Georgia Bulldogs | 81%

Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during Georgia’s game against Florida at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Conor Dillon/UGAAA) — (Conor Dillon/UGAAA)

There’s a significant drop in ESPN’s confidence after the No. 4 spot. Alas, most teams in the nation would be overjoyed to have an 81% chance of earning a CFP spot. Georgia has certainly had to earn its respect.

Since falling 24-21 to Alabama in Week 5, Georgia has won three consecutive games. Most recently, the Bulldogs defeated Ole Miss 43-35. Georgia’s offense was excellent in the win, tallying 510 total yards.

6. Oregon Ducks | 75%

After falling to Indiana in Week 7, Oregon hasn’t received nearly as much national attention. Alas, the Ducks shouldn’t be overlooked. USC is the only remaining ranked team on their schedule.

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If Oregon runs the table for the remainder of the regular season, it’ll essentially have a guaranteed spot in the CFP. On Saturday, Oregon defeated Wisconsin 21-7. It was a lackluster performance for the Ducks, but a victory nonetheless.

7. Ole Miss Rebels | 70%

After falling to Georgia, Ole Miss skated on thin ice into its Week 9 showdown against Oklahoma. Alas, the Rebels prevailed, securing a 34-26 triumph over the Sooners.

In the win, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss completed 24-of-his-44 pass attempts for 315 yards and a touchdown, without throwing an interception. Winston Watkins led the Rebels with 111 receiving yards on just four catches.

8. BYU Cougars | 69%

Iowa State Cyclones' linebacker Caleb Bacon (26) and linebacker Kooper Ebel (47) takes down BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) during the first quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. — Syndication: The Ames Tribune

In the Big 12’s choppy waters, BYU has been a steady rock. The Cougars are still undefeated and ran away with a convincing 41-27 triumph over Iowa State on Saturday.

In the win, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier stole the show, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns, while running 49 yards and another score. The Cougars still have Texas Tech and Cincinnati ahead on their schedule, but ESPN seemingly likes their chances.

9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | 50%

This Georgia Tech season is the culmination of four years of work from head coach Brent Key and Co. For the past couple seasons, the Yellow Jackets have been a dangerous underdog, but never a legitimate CFP contender.

Now, they’re on the cusp of appearing on college football’s biggest stage. The only ranked team remaining on Georgia Tech’s schedule is Georgia. Even with a loss against the Bulldogs, Georgia Tech would go to the ACC Championship, where they could secure their CFP dreams.

10. Miami Hurricanes | 47%

Miami isn’t ESPN’s favorite from the ACC to appear in the CFP anymore, but the Hurricanes are far from out of the hunt. The team bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 42-7 win over Stanford on Saturday.

In the win, Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. was unstoppable, amassing 106 rushing yards and three touchdowns. QB Carson Beck also looked much-improved after throwing four interceptions in Miami’s Week 8 loss to Louisville.