College Football Playoff Top 25: Third 2024 CFP rankings revealed

The College Football Playoff Top 25 reveal show on ESPN has set the tone for the final weeks of the regular season. The latest snapshot of what the selection committee believes about the contending teams becomes clear and sparks widespread debate about which teams deserve a shot at the title.

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 12 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 three 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 clinched a spot in the Big Ten title game despite a close test against Wisconsin.

Upcoming schedule: 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. The matchup with Indiana this weekend will go a long way in determining which team will play Oregon in the conference championship.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan

3. Texas

After taking a loss to Georgia, Texas was able to rebound with wins and improve the eye test as well. The Longhorns remain on top of the pile within the SEC and continue to string together results on its way back toward the top of the rankings.

Upcoming schedule: 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. The remainder of the schedule still presents James Franklin’s team with a clear path to their first CFP appearance.

Upcoming schedule: 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 now face Ohio State with a chance to wipe away doubt and earn a Big Ten title game spot against Oregon which could lead to a top-four seed.

Upcoming schedule: at Ohio State, vs. Purdue

6. 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 with two more tests ahead.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Army, at USC

7. Alabama

In the first year under Kalen DeBoer, Alabama has seen ups and downs while remaining in the mix. The Crimson Tide have left no doubt in recent weeks and rebuild much of the hype which existed before their second loss. They must now run the slate to end the year.

Upcoming schedule: at Oklahoma, vs. Auburn

8. Miami

Miami fell victim to an upset against Georgia Tech, removing them from the undefeated ranks and building serious questions about strength of schedule. However, the Hurricanes remain in good position compared to other ACC teams with a chance to secure a top-four seed.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse

9. 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. Now they can make a strong case by winning out.

Upcoming schedule: vs. Florida, vs. Mississippi State

10. Georgia

The Bulldogs roared back to life in the CFP conversation by beating Tennessee. The two-loss Georgia squad saw a big drop in the rankings last week, but now has a resume to match up with plenty bubble teams.

Upcoming schedule: vs. UMass, vs. Georgia Tech

11. Tennessee

After escaping multiple SEC games with wins, the Volunteers lost their second conference game against Georgia to fall off the SEC conversation. Now making the case for themselves as one of the last bubble teams, Tennessee must rely on the SEC’s strength of schedule and more losses to pave a path.

Upcoming schedule: vs. UTEP, at Vanderbilt

12. Boise State

With their only loss coming against Oregon, Boise State is the top-ranked Group of Five school and boasts a Heisman contender in Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos will have to close out the season strong to hold off other contenders for the one guaranteed spot in the CFP.

Upcoming schedule: at Wyoming, vs. Oregon State

CFP Top 25 Rankings

13. SMU
14. BYU
15. Texas A&M
16. Colorado
17. Clemson
18. South Carolina
19. Army
20. Tulane
21. Arizona State
22. Iowa State
23. Missouri
24. UNLV
25. Illinois