The path to the College Football Playoff shifted dramatically this weekend as multiple top-ranked teams stumbled, creating what might be the most unpredictable November in recent memory.
Ole Miss delivered the weekend’s biggest shock, taking down previously undefeated Georgia in a game that reshuffled the Southeastern Conference hierarchy. The Rebels’ victory, combined with Georgia Tech’s upset of Miami, has created a logjam of two-loss teams vying for playoff consideration.
Oregon claimed the No. 1 spot in Tuesday’s CFP rankings after a commanding win over Maryland. The Ducks lead a pack of contenders that includes Ohio State, Texas and Penn State in the top four. Indiana and BYU maintained their perfect records, though both teams needed last-minute heroics to preserve their unblemished marks.
The SEC’s landscape now features five teams with two losses: Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama and Missouri. The Bulldogs, who dropped to No. 12 after their defeat, face a critical matchup against Tennessee this Saturday. A second consecutive loss would likely eliminate them from playoff contention.
Alabama kept its postseason hopes alive with a crucial road victory over LSU in what amounted to an elimination game for both programs. The Crimson Tide moved to No. 10 in the rankings, positioning themselves for a late-season surge.
Week 12 presents several challenges for ranked teams hitting the road. The top-ranked Ducks travel to Camp Randall Stadium to face Wisconsin. The third-ranked Longhorns visit Arkansas, whose 5-4 record belies their ability to create chaos – as evidenced by their victory over Tennessee earlier this season.
Even sixth-ranked BYU, favored against struggling Kansas, must remain alert after barely escaping Utah last week. The Jayhawks have shown improvement, nearly upsetting Kansas State before defeating Iowa State.
The current CFP rankings reflect the season’s volatility, with traditional powers scattered throughout the Top 25:
1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Penn State
5. Indiana
The rankings differ from the projected playoff bracket, as the four highest-ranked conference champions will receive first-round byes. This format adds another layer of complexity to an already unpredictable season.
As November progresses, each game carries heightened significance. Teams that appeared safely positioned just weeks ago now find themselves fighting for survival, while others have emerged as unexpected contenders.
The regular season’s final weeks promise more surprises as teams battle for playoff positioning. In a season defined by unpredictability, only one certainty remains: The road to the College Football Playoff will feature more twists before the field is set.
