College Football Playoff Top 25: Second 2024 CFP rankings revealed

The first College Football Playoff Top 25 reveal last week set the tone for the postseason race, which quickly took a turn after multiple upsets. Now, the latest snapshot of what the selection committee believes about the contending teams becomes clear as rankings change and paths shift.

In the first year of the new format, the four highest-ranked conference champions will receive the top-four seeds, granting them a bye to the Quarterfinals hosted at one of the New Years Six bowl venues. The remaining eight bids will be filled by seven at-large qualifiers, and the fifth-highest ranked conference champion. The higher-seeded teams will host the lower-seeded teams in the first round.

For those reasons, the College Football Playoff Top 25 is not necessarily reflective of the final bracket.

Now 11 weeks into the season, here is how the selection committee ranked the Top 25 teams with a chance to earn their spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.

1. Oregon

The Ducks lead the way for unbeaten teams with just four remaining, and have faced the hardest schedule of that group with wins over Ohio State and Boise State so far. Dan Lanning’s group has a clear path into the Big Ten title game and a potential No. 1 overall seed which has not shifted.

Upcoming schedule: at Wisconsin, vs. Washington

2. Ohio State

After coming into the season among the top Big Ten contenders, Ohio State suffered a loss on the road against Oregon but rebounded with a road win against Penn State. They remain alive in the hunt for the Big Ten championship and a first-round bye with two big games left on the schedule.

Upcoming schedule: at Northwestern, vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan

3. Texas

After taking a loss to Georgia, Texas was able to rebound with wins. After watching the Bulldogs suffer a second loss, the Longhorns return to the top of the pile in the SEC with a shot to earn the first-round bye.

Upcoming schedule: at Arkansas, vs. Kentucky, at Texas A&M

4. Penn State

After starting the season 7-0, Penn State lost a home game against Ohio State which could have provided the inside path for a Big Ten title game appearance. With one rebound win under their belt, the remainder of the schedule still presents James Franklin’s team with a path to their first CFP appearance.

Upcoming schedule: at Purdue, at Minnesota, vs. Maryland

5. Indiana

The surprise story of college football, first-year coach Curt Cignetti has delivered on his promise to win at Indiana by entering the final month undefeated. The Hoosiers sit atop the Big Ten standings alongside Oregon while controlling their own destiny in a game at Ohio State. Another test was also passed with ease on Saturday against Michigan.

Upcoming schedule: at Ohio State, vs. Purdue

6. BYU

The top team in the Big 12, BYU has remained unbeaten with a nail-biter rivalry win over Utah. The Cougars already have a win over Kansas State and hold a clear path to the conference title game.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Kansas, at Arizona State, vs. Houston

7. Tennessee

After escaping multiple SEC games with wins, including a rivalry win over Alabama, the Volunteers have overcome the road loss to Arkansas and asserted themselves back in the SEC conversation. A win-or-go-home type game against Georgia now headlines the college football slate as all eyes turn to the loser’s resume.

Upcoming schedule: at Georgia, vs. UTEP, at Vanderbilt

8. Notre Dame

Despite suffering an early loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame has capitalized on opportunities to remain a CFP contender by knocking off Texas A&M, Louisville and Navy. Marcus Freeman’s squad will have the chance to run the slate and claim one of the at-large spots.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Virginia, vs. Army, at USC

9. Miami

Miami fell victim to an upset against Georgia Tech, removing them from the undefeated ranks and building serious questions about strength of schedule. The Hurricanes – along with the rest of the ACC – now appear to be on thin ice in the playoff race.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse

10. Alabama

In the first year under Kalen DeBoer, Alabama has seen ups and downs while remaining in the mix. The Crimson Tide passed their biggest late challenge with a blowout win over LSU, providing them a platform to remain on the right side of the CFP bubble down the stretch.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Mercer, at Oklahoma, vs. Auburn

11. Ole Miss

After sitting on the wrong side of the bubble in the first College Football Playoff rankings, Ole Miss thrust themselves into the conversation by knocking off Georgia. Lane Kiffin’s team now appears to be firmly in the mix for a postseason spot in the crowded bubble picture.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Florida, vs. Mississippi State

12. Georgia

The Bulldogs come off a loss against Ole Miss, now falling into the bubble conversation with the rest of the two-loss SEC teams hoping to position themselves among the Top 12. A win-or-go-home matchup at home against Tennessee awaits Georgia now on the wrong side of things.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Tennessee, vs. UMass, vs. Georgia Tech

CFP Top 25 Rankings

13. Boise State
14. SMU
15. Texas A&M
16. Kansas State
17. Colorado
18. Washington State
19. Louisville
20. Clemson
21. South Carolina
22. LSU
23. Missouri
24. Army
25. Tulane