Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
The new College Football Playoff rankings are out, and the championship picture is becoming more clear.
It’s time for another iteration of the College Football Playoff rankings, and boy we might have some movement. The top four might not change, but the order in which they rank might be. Georgia handled a top 12 team at home in Missouri, and could take back that top spot.
Meanwhile, down the rankings, Oklahoma lost Bedlam to Oklahoma State, which throws a major wrench in their CFP plans, taking them out of the playoff picture. It’s worth noting that this is Week 2 of these rankings, and ultimately these won’t be the same even next week. With the way the scheduling has worked out this year, we’ll learn a lot more about these teams this month. If your team isn’t on here or is low, give it time.
Now, let’s get into the rankings.
1 . Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes retain their one spot after beating Rutgers. Their resume is strong even without Michigan on the schedule, but The Game looms large for both teams. We’ll see you Thanksgiving weekend if you stay the course.
2 . Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs stand pat after taking down the Missouri Tigers at home 30-21. The Bulldogs back half of the schedule is rough, with dates against Ole Miss and Tennessee before an eventual date with the SEC West winner. If they can just stay the course, they should be fine.
3. Michigan Wolverines
The season starts Saturday for the Wolverines. Michigan’s resume is poor, but if they can get a signature win against Penn State on Saturday before The Game it could possibly launch the Wolverines up over Georgia and Ohio State. Let’s see how you look on Saturday.
4. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles also stand pat after a workmanlike win over Pitt, but it wasn’t very comfortable. Yes, they were missing their top two receivers, but with Alabama, Oregon and Texas lurking, they might not be at the 4 spot if all hell breaks loose. They need to rack up wins, and win big. A good chance to do that is at home against Miami on Saturday.
5. Washington Huskies
The beat goes on for Washington, who controls their own destiny after beating USC. If they can run the table in a loaded Pac-12, they’ll have as good of a resume as anyone in front of them. Let’s just hope that defense irons itself out.
6. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks are an interesting team. With a close loss to Washington on the road and a big win over a good, albeit hampered Utah team, they have an outside shot at the playoff. If they can rack up some style points on Saturday against USC and put themselves in a spot to take on Washington once again in Vegas, they’ll have as good of a resume as anyone.
7. Texas Longhorns
Texas survived an upset bid at home against Kansas State, but with the win they’re in the drivers seat of the Big 12. If they can get QB Quinn Ewers back healthy before the final rankings, that’ll do wonders for their potential CFP bid.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
They’re going to do it again, folks. Alabama took control of the SEC West in a 42-28 dismantling of LSU on Saturday. The offense is flying high with Jalen Milroe finally coming into his own as a QB, and the defense remains one of the best in the nation. If they win out, they can get to Atlanta and really cause some chaos in this race.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels might be for real. The offense can put up points with anyone, and the pass rush can really cause problems for opposing offenses. A date in Athens against the Bulldogs will be a major test, and a monumental chance at a victory in the Lane Kiffin era.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
If you want to remain serious in this CFP race, they NEED to win at home against Michigan. The offense comes in on a high note after scoring 51 against Maryland, but now against a team with equal talent, it’s put up or shut up time.
11. Louisville Cardinals
12. Oregon State Beavers
13. Tennessee Volunteers
14. Missouri Tigers
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys
16. Kansas Jayhawks
17. Oklahoma Sooners
18. Utah Utes
19. LSU Tigers
20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
21. Arizona Wildcats
22. Iowa Hawkeyes
23. Tulane Green Wave
24. North Carolina Tar Heels
25. Kansas State Wildcats
