Big Ten and SEC continue to hold sway in latest College Football Playoff rankings

The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, revealed on Tuesday, saw little change following a weekend that lacked major upsets. The top five teams remained identical to the previous week, with the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference (SEC) continuing to dominate the rankings.

Leading the pack at No. 1 is Oregon, the undefeated frontrunner from the Big Ten. The conference once again places four teams in the top five, with Ohio State sitting at No. 2. Ohio State’s lone loss this season came at the hands of Oregon. Penn State is ranked No. 4, while unbeaten Indiana rounds out the top five at No. 5.

In the SEC, Texas remains at No. 3, continuing its strong showing after joining the conference. The Longhorns’ conference rivals also hold prominent spots, with Alabama at No. 7 and Ole Miss at No. 9. Georgia, the defending national champions from 2021 and 2022, rose to No. 10 after a crucial win over Tennessee, who now sits at No. 11.

The Big Ten and SEC are currently claiming eight of the 12 spots in the CFP bracket, leaving the remaining four berths to be fiercely contested by other conferences. Notre Dame, an independent powerhouse, jumped to No. 6 after a solid victory over Virginia.

Beyond the top six, the remaining three CFP spots are held by the highest-ranked conference champions from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big 12 Conference, and the so-called “group of five” — the smaller conferences. Miami, the highest-ranked ACC team, currently sits at No. 8. Despite an upset loss to Kansas, BYU holds onto the No. 14 spot in the Big 12, while Boise State, ranked No. 12, is leading the group of five schools.

While the Big Ten and SEC continue to dominate the rankings, some outsiders, particularly from the ACC, are expressing frustration with the selection process. Rhett Lashlee, head coach of No. 13 SMU in the ACC, recently questioned the committee’s evaluation of the conferences. Lashlee pointed out the different perceptions applied to the ACC versus the Big Ten and SEC. “When other leagues beat each other up internally, they’re considered a deep, solid league, but when we beat up internally, we’re considered a weak league,” he said, adding, “I just want our league to get the same respect that everyone else gets.”

With several weeks of regular-season games remaining, the race for the CFP spots is far from over. The CFP’s 12-team playoff format grants a first-round bye to the top four highest-ranked conference champions, making each conference title game crucial in the final push for the playoffs.

This Saturday, Ohio State will face Indiana in a key Big Ten showdown. The winner will likely have an edge in the race for the conference title, with a potential matchup against Oregon in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis. Texas, who has yet to secure a signature win this season, faces a tough road ahead, including a game against No. 15 Texas A&M on November 30 and the possibility of an SEC Championship clash in Atlanta.

Notre Dame, currently ranked No. 6, has opportunities to rise or fall in the standings with upcoming games against unbeaten No. 19 Army this Saturday and rival Southern Cal on November 30. In the ACC, Miami leads the conference but faces competition from SMU and No. 17 Clemson, with the three teams vying for a spot in the conference championship game and likely the sole ACC berth in the CFP.

In the Big 12, No. 16 Colorado and No. 21 Arizona State still have a clear path to the conference title. Arizona State faces a pivotal game against BYU this Saturday, while Colorado will take on a dangerous Kansas team on the road.

As the season progresses, December 7 will mark the date for the conference championship games in the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, and Big 12, all of which will play a significant role in shaping the final CFP bracket.

In conclusion, while the Big Ten and SEC continue to hold the top spots in the CFP rankings, the competition for the remaining playoff spots remains fierce. With several key games still to be played, including crucial conference matchups, the final weeks of the regular season will determine which teams secure a coveted place in the expanded CFP field.