Hunter Yurachek spells out why Oklahoma leapt over Alabama in College Football Playoff rankings

As usual, head-to-head is a popular topic in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Specifically in the back-end of the top-10, where many figured Alabama and Oklahoma wound up. With the Sooners winning in Tuscaloosa on Saturday afternoon, they jumped ahead of their SEC foes.

CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained the decision to rank Oklahoma over Alabama. A quite simple answer, saying the head-to-head comes into play.

“Oklahoma, obviously, got the nod based on their two-point win at [Alabama],” Yurachek said.

Both teams hold an 8-2 record heading into Week 13. Alabama previously sat at No. 4, meaning they dropped six spots to No. 10 due to the loss. Oklahoma moved up to No. 8 after previously being No. 11. There might have been an argument to be made for the Crimson Tide’s overall resume but not a strong enough one to overcome the result from around 72 hours before.

Two games remain on the regular season schedule for both. Alabama likely holds the easier path to the finish line, considering FCS Eastern Illinois is next up. However, the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium vs. Auburn is no joke. Head coach Kalen DeBoer knows his team will need to remain focused coming off the loss.

Oklahoma gets two SEC games in Norman, beginning with Missouri on Saturday. LSU then comes to town a couple of days after Thanksgiving, one where the Sooners hope to be celebrating a 10-2 record and birth into the CFP. Tests have flown past Brent Venables all season, passing a few and coming short in others. Two more passing grades get the job done.

Hunter Yurachek answers original question about Miami, Notre Dame

The answer provided by Yuracheck was originally a question about the situation regarding Miami and Notre Dame. In this scenario, the Hurricanes are comfortably below a team they beat to open the 2025 season despite the same record. ESPN’s Rece Davis was wondering if the head-to-head played a role there.

Eventually, Yuracheck got to that side of the equation. In the committee’s eyes, Miami and Notre Dame are not currently in a “comparable range.”

“So, if Miami and Notre Dame are in a comparable tier, comparable range, the head-to-head will be a significant data point that we will use.”

Slightly different than the situation with Alabama and Oklahoma, who are within a group of three. Notre Dame is right between them at No. 9, while Miami is back at No. 13.