This college football season’s been wild, honestly. The latest College Football Playoff rankings, dropped on Tuesday, December 3, 2025, only added fuel to the fire. Fans and experts are still scratching their heads, and the debates online? Endless.
We’re heading into the final rankings and the 12-team playoff pairings get announced this weekend. Undefeated Ohio State and Indiana are still hanging on at the top, while Georgia and Texas Tech made some big moves. Ole Miss climbed up, even after losing their head coach, and Notre Dame somehow slipped despite their winning streak. Let’s take a closer look at what all this might mean for the playoff games coming up.
Top Teams Maintain Their Positions
Ohio State and Indiana, both undefeated, aren’t budging from the top two spots. Their consistency has kept them out in front.
Georgia moved up to third, and Texas Tech slid into fourth. Unless something crazy happens in the conference title games, these teams look set for the playoffs.
Georgia and Texas Tech on the Rise
Georgia’s jump to third and Texas Tech’s leap to fourth are worth talking about. Both teams just keep finding ways to win.
Georgia’s defense is tough as nails, and Texas Tech’s offense can light up the scoreboard. That’s been their formula, and it’s working.
Ole Miss Moves Up Despite Coaching Change
Ole Miss is now No. 6, which is surprising since they just lost Lane Kiffin to LSU. The selection committee, headed by Hunter Yuracheck, said they focused on the team’s current performance, not the coaching drama.
With an 11-1 record, Ole Miss is still a force. But honestly, who knows what losing Kiffin will mean for them now?
Committee’s Dilemma with Ole Miss
The committee’s move with Ole Miss really shows how tough it is to rank teams when things get messy. Yuracheck admitted they can’t predict how the team will do without Kiffin, so they stuck to what they know.
It’s a weird spot—Ole Miss is good, but the uncertainty is real as they get ready for what’s next.
Notre Dame and Alabama Flip-Flop
Notre Dame, sitting at 10-2, dropped to No. 10. Alabama, after a win over Auburn, moved up to No. 9. The committee’s divided on these two.
Alabama’s recent win seemed to matter more than Notre Dame’s victory over Stanford. Now Alabama’s got a better shot at an at-large spot, while Notre Dame’s suddenly on thin ice—even with a 10-game streak.
Implications for Notre Dame and Alabama
Alabama at No. 9 means they’re still in the hunt for a playoff spot, even if they lose to Georgia in the SEC title game. Notre Dame’s path is murkier, and they might need some help from other teams to sneak in.
The committee’s debate shows just how close these decisions can get.
James Madison’s Surprise Inclusion
The committee threw a curveball by putting James Madison from the Sun Belt at No. 25. That puts them ahead of Duke, who’ll play No. 17 Virginia for the ACC title.
If James Madison and Duke both win, James Madison could actually block the ACC from an automatic playoff spot. It’s wild how unpredictable the selection process is.
Potential Impact on the ACC
The ACC’s playoff hopes are shaky. Virginia, at No. 17, has to win to keep them alive.
Miami, ranked highest in the ACC at No. 12, isn’t even in the title game. They need a lot of things to go their way. The committee’s leaving the door open for teams not playing this week, but it’s a long shot.
Conference Title Games and Playoff Implications
The conference title games coming up are going to decide everything. SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 seem locked in for playoff spots.
The American Athletic Conference looks set for an automatic bid too, with No. 20 Tulane and No. 24 North Texas fighting for it. That last automatic bid? Still up for grabs—could go to the ACC or the Sun Belt, depending how things shake out.
Key Matchups to Watch
- No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Oregon: Coaching changes are the big story here. Oregon lost offensive coordinator Will Stein to Kentucky, and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall is heading to Florida, though he’s sticking around for now.
- No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss is the headline. Curious to see how they handle it.
- No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Texas A&M: Notre Dame’s playoff hopes are basically riding on this one. Their coach Marcus Freeman’s been pushing for home-field advantage, too.
- No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma: Oklahoma beat Alabama three weeks ago—changed everything for both teams. This rematch should be a good one.
The college football landscape is wild right now. Nobody can really predict what’ll happen next.
With the 12-team playoff pairings looming, the latest rankings have everyone on edge. A bunch of teams are still fighting for a playoff spot.
Conference title games are coming up fast. They’re going to decide how this whole thing shakes out.
If you want more details or just can’t get enough of the chaos, check out the full article on AP News.
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