Full Breakdown
College Football Playoff Rankings: November 18 Update
11/19/2025, 10:13:27 PM
Current Rankings Overview
The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, released on November 18, 2025, see Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M occupying the top three positions. Alabama has dropped to No. 10 following a loss to Oklahoma, while Georgia has moved up to No. 4. The rankings are as follows:
1. Ohio State (10-0)
2. Indiana (11-0)
3. Texas A&M (10-0)
4. Georgia (9-1)
5. Texas Tech (10-1)
6. Ole Miss (10-1)
7. Oregon (9-1)
8. Oklahoma (8-2)
9. Notre Dame (8-2)
10. Alabama (8-2)
11. BYU (9-1)
12. Utah (8-2)
13. Miami (8-2)
14. Vanderbilt (8-2)
15. USC (8-2)
16. Georgia Tech (9-1)
17. Texas (7-3)
18. Michigan (8-2)
19. Virginia (9-2)
20. Tennessee (7-3)
21. Illinois (7-3)
22. Missouri (7-3)
23. Houston (8-2)
24. Tulane (8-2)
25. Arizona State (7-3)
Implications for Conference Championships
The CFP format has been adjusted to a straight seeding model, where the top four teams receive a first-round bye. The five highest-ranked conference champions will secure spots in the 12-team playoff. Alabama, despite its recent drop, still has a favorable chance to reach the SEC Championship Game, which would significantly enhance its playoff prospects. The Crimson Tide has a 71% chance of making it to the championship with one SEC game remaining against Auburn.
Miami's path to the ACC title game is complicated; the Hurricanes must win their remaining games and rely on losses from Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Duke. Meanwhile, Texas has seen its at-large hopes diminish after a significant loss to Georgia, falling to No. 17 in the rankings.
Criticism of Ranking Criteria
The CFP committee's decision-making process has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding the head-to-head comparison between Miami and Notre Dame. Miami's coach, Mario Cristobal, emphasized that head-to-head results should be the primary criterion for rankings. However, CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek noted that the two teams have not been in comparable pools for evaluation, which has raised questions about the consistency of the committee's criteria.
Upcoming Matchups and Scenarios
Looking ahead, several key matchups could influence the playoff landscape. Notably, No. 15 USC will face No. 7 Oregon, a game that holds significant implications for both teams' playoff chances. The final CFP rankings will be announced on December 7, following the conference championships, with first-round games scheduled for December 19 and 20.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The No. 1 criteria is always head-to-head. It's why we play the game, right? That always has been and always will be the No. 1 factor.” — Mario Cristobal, Head Coach, Miami
- “But Miami is creeping up in that range where they will be compared to Notre Dame if something happens above them.” — Hunter Yurachek, CFP Chairman
This update reflects the dynamic nature of college football as teams vie for playoff positions, with critical games on the horizon that could reshape the rankings further.
