Halloween marks the official start of College Football Playoff season, and with the first set of CFP rankings set to be released on Tuesday night, anticipation is high to see how the committee views the college football landscape thus far. There are bound to be some surprises, as the committee often differs from the AP Top 25 rankings.
In anticipation of the upcoming rankings, we have taken the opportunity to predict what the committee’s top 12 will look like. Here is our predicted ranking:
12. Notre Dame (7-2)
Despite having two losses, Notre Dame deserves a spot on this list due to the challenging schedule they have faced in the first two months of the season. Although they suffered tough losses to Ohio State and Louisville, their wins against Duke and USC give them a stronger resume than two-loss LSU or any of the lesser one-loss teams. Notre Dame will face Clemson next week, followed by Wake Forest and Stanford to finish the regular season.
11. Penn State (7-1)
Penn State is likely to fall outside the top 10 due to recent offensive struggles. In their 33-24 win against Indiana, quarterback Drew Allar averaged less than seven yards per pass attempt. While the Penn State defense did not perform exceptionally well, we believe their offense needs to improve in order to stay in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl game.
10. Ole Miss (7-1)
Ole Miss holds a higher ranking than Penn State due to their win over LSU. However, it is difficult to determine whether this team is simply good or really good. Regardless, a 10-2 season seems highly likely for Ole Miss, considering their remaining schedule against Texas A&M, Georgia, Louisiana-Monroe, and Mississippi State.
9. Oklahoma (7-1)
Oklahoma drops to the bottom of the top 10 after an unexpected loss to Kansas. However, we believe they will stay ahead of both Penn State and Ole Miss due to their win against Texas. Although the Sooners have had some setbacks in their last two games, they were one of the strongest teams in the country during the first half of the season. They face a tough challenge against Oklahoma State in Week 10.
8. Alabama (7-1)
Alabama should comfortably secure a spot inside the top 10, despite a slightly tumultuous season so far. While their offense is still finding its rhythm, their defense has been solid. Their upcoming game against LSU’s high-powered offense will provide a clearer picture of Alabama’s capabilities in a high-scoring game.
7. Texas (7-1)
We expect Texas to rank higher than Alabama due to their head-to-head win in Week 2. In their Week 9 game against BYU, Texas secured an easy win without the assistance of quarterback Quinn Ewers. Texas will face a formidable Kansas State team in their next game.
6. Oregon (7-1)
Oregon proved they are still contenders for the playoff with their dominant win over Utah. Quarterback Bo Nix’s performance contributed to their success, as they limited the Utes to just 241 total yards. Given their bounce-back after a loss to Washington, it is difficult to argue for any other one-loss team to surpass the Ducks.
5. Washington (8-0)
Washington hasn’t been the most convincing team since their victory against Oregon. Narrow victories against Arizona State and Stanford raise questions about their ranking. While it is possible for Washington to be ranked above Ohio State, we believe the committee will consider their last two weeks’ performance and ultimately choose the Buckeyes.
4. Ohio State (8-0)
Differentiating between Ohio State and Washington at this point may be insignificant. Washington still has opportunities to move up in the rankings in November, while Ohio State has the important game against Michigan in the future. The ranking between No. 5 and No. 4 will likely have minimal impact at this stage. Ohio State recently defeated Wisconsin, and their offensive player Marvin Harrison is one of the best in college football.
3. Florida State (8-0)
Florida State handled Wake Forest easily, continuing their strong performance since close calls against Boston College and Clemson. Wide receiver Keon Coleman, a transfer portal addition, has been instrumental in their success, and quarterback Jordan Travis has potential to be a Heisman candidate if he continues to play mistake-free football. Florida State’s remaining schedule doesn’t include any ranked teams, but an undefeated record should solidify their ranking.
2. Michigan (8-0)
While Michigan could arguably take the No. 1 spot, we predict they will be ranked second due to their strength of schedule. Their victories against UNLV, Minnesota, and Nebraska are the most notable so far, and a game against Purdue precedes their challenging matchup against Penn State. The sign-stealing scandal should not affect their ranking in the committee’s eyes.
1. Georgia (8-0)
Georgia’s convincing win over Florida solidified their claim for the No. 1 ranking. With three consecutive victories by a combined 78 points, the Bulldogs have been dominant. Their upcoming games against ranked opponents will further solidify their status as the best team in the country.
In addition to the rankings, here are the winners and losers from Week 9:
Winners:
-Kansas: Kansas secured bowl eligibility with an impressive upset victory over Oklahoma. This win marked Kansas’ first victory over Oklahoma since 1997, and their first home win against a top-10 opponent since 1984. Coach Lance Leipold has done an exceptional job turning around the program.
-Georgia: The defending national champions showcased their strength in a commanding win over Florida. Quarterback Carson Beck had an impressive performance, throwing for 315 yards and two touchdowns. With upcoming games against ranked teams, Georgia has an opportunity to solidify their status as the top team.
-Oregon: Oregon kept their playoff hopes alive with a dominant win over Utah. Holding the Utes to just six points, Oregon showcased their defensive prowess. Their victory highlighted their potential to compete for a playoff spot.
Losers:
-Oklahoma: Oklahoma suffered a surprising loss to Kansas, which dropped them in the rankings. Their recent performances have raised concerns, and their upcoming game against Oklahoma State will be a significant challenge.
Overall, these rankings and results from Week 9 will shape the College Football Playoff landscape as the season progresses.
