The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its third rankings of the 2025-26 season on November 16, 2025, and the top three teams didn’t just hold their ground—they dominated it. Ohio State (10-0), Indiana (11-0), and Texas A&M (10-0) remain locked in the top three, a rare trifecta of perfection that’s sending shockwaves through college football. The committee’s decision, confirmed by CBS Sports on November 17, 2025, wasn’t just a formality—it was a statement. These aren’t just good teams. They’re the only three undefeated teams left in the Power Five, and they’re playing like they know it.
The Unshakeable Top Three
Ohio State’s resume speaks for itself: a 10-0 record, a dominant win over Michigan, and a schedule that includes victories over ranked opponents from the Big Ten and SEC. Indiana, meanwhile, is pulling off the impossible—going undefeated in the Big Ten while beating teams like Penn State and Wisconsin by double digits. Texas A&M? They’ve quietly built the most balanced offense in the country, with a defense that’s tightened up since mid-October. Their 10-0 record includes a statement win over LSU in Baton Rouge. And now, for the first time since 2021, three teams enter the final stretch of the season with zero losses.
What’s more surprising? Georgia (9-1) climbing to No. 4 after a narrow win over Florida. The Bulldogs didn’t impress in their last outing, but the committee rewarded them for strength of schedule and a win over then-No. 5 LSU. That’s the kind of nuance that separates the CFP rankings from the AP poll—where Ole Miss and Texas Tech swapped spots, but the CFP kept them in order based on overall performance.
The Bracket Projections Are In
On November 18, 2025, the NCAA dropped its first official bracket projection based on the committee’s rankings—and it’s a minefield of potential upsets. The first round is a gauntlet:
- No. 12 Tulane (8-2) at No. 5 Texas Tech (10-1)
- No. 9 Notre Dame (8-2) at No. 8 Oklahoma (8-2)
- No. 11 Miami (Fla.) (8-2) at No. 6 Ole Miss (10-1)
- No. 10 Alabama (8-2) at No. 7 Oregon (9-1)
Winners advance to face the top four seeds in the quarterfinals. That means if Tulane beats Texas Tech, they’ll face Georgia. If Notre Dame knocks off Oklahoma, they’ll be on a collision course with Ohio State. And here’s the twist: Miami (Fla.)—a team that barely made the top 12—could end up playing Texas A&M in College Station. That’s not a projection. That’s a nightmare scenario for the Aggies.
Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Why It Matters
The drop-offs tell their own story. Alabama tumbled six spots to No. 10 after losing to LSU and struggling against South Carolina. Meanwhile, Oklahoma surged three spots to No. 8 after beating Texas and TCU back-to-back. And let’s not forget the teams that fell out entirely: Louisville, Iowa, Pittsburgh, South Florida, and Cincinnati—all gone from the Top 25 after one bad week. That’s how brutal this season is.
ESPN’s panel—Rece Davis, Joey Galloway, and Greg McElroy—put it bluntly on their November 17 broadcast: “So based on these rankings, it’s not a projection, just based on the rankings, this is how everything would look. You see Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Georgia getting the byes. Tain would be the last team in the field.” (Note: “Tain” was likely a misstatement for “Tulane.”)
The committee doesn’t just look at wins. They look at *how* you win. Indiana’s 42-14 demolition of Penn State? That mattered. Texas A&M’s 31-10 win over LSU? That mattered. Alabama’s 24-21 win over Vanderbilt? Not so much.
What’s Next? Week 13 and Beyond
Week 13 is the final regular-season test before conference championships. Ohio State faces rival Michigan State in a potential trap game. Indiana plays Purdue—likely a formality, but the Hoosiers can’t afford a slip-up. Texas A&M hosts LSU, a team that’s desperate to salvage its season. Georgia faces Georgia Tech, a team that’s been a thorn in their side since 2022.
Then come the conference title games. The Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 all have clear contenders, but the ACC? Miami (Fla.) might need to beat Clemson to stay in the conversation. And don’t forget BYU (9-1), the first team out—still undefeated outside the Power Five, but stuck in a non-automatically qualifying conference. The committee has made it clear: non-Power Five teams need a miracle.
The Final Countdown
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will release its final rankings on December 1, 2025. That’s when the four-team field is locked in. The semifinals will be held on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, with the National Championship on January 20, 2026, in New Orleans.
Here’s what’s at stake: Indiana could become the first undefeated team from the Big Ten to reach the playoff since 2014. Ohio State could be the first team to win the title after going undefeated since Alabama in 2020. And Texas A&M? They’re one win away from proving they belong in the elite.
The committee didn’t just rank teams this week. They set the stage for the most unpredictable playoff race in a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Indiana ranked higher than Texas A&M despite having one more win?
Indiana’s 11-0 record includes wins over ranked opponents in the Big Ten, including a 42-14 thrashing of Penn State and a 35-17 win over Wisconsin. Texas A&M’s schedule, while strong, lacks the same level of top-10 wins. The committee values strength of schedule and quality wins more than raw win totals, especially when comparing teams from different conferences.
Could a one-loss team like Georgia make the playoff if one of the top three loses?
Absolutely. Georgia’s loss came to LSU, a top-10 team, and they’ve since beaten Florida and Kentucky convincingly. If Ohio State, Indiana, or Texas A&M suffer a loss, Georgia would likely jump into the top four, especially if they win the SEC Championship. The committee has shown a willingness to reward strong conference champions, even with one loss.
What’s the biggest threat to Ohio State’s No. 1 spot?
Michigan State. The Spartans are 8-3 and have shown improvement in recent weeks, including a win over Northwestern. If they upset Ohio State in Columbus on December 7, it could open the door for Indiana or Texas A&M to leapfrog them. But even then, Ohio State’s resume—eight wins over ranked opponents—is too strong to drop out of the top four.
Why is Alabama ranked so low despite having a strong program?
Alabama’s losses to LSU and South Carolina—both teams ranked in the top 15—weigh heavily. The committee doesn’t reward reputation. They reward results. Alabama’s non-conference wins over South Dakota State and Southern Miss don’t move the needle. Even their win over Texas was a narrow 28-24 game. Without a signature win, their resume looks thin compared to teams like Oregon and Ole Miss.
Could a team like Tulane or Miami make a Cinderella run to the championship?
It’s possible, but unlikely. Tulane has a solid offense, but their schedule lacks elite wins. Miami’s defense has been shaky. Both would need to win three games in the playoff—two in the first round and the semifinal—against top-tier opponents. No team has ever done that from outside the top four since the playoff began in 2014. The odds are stacked against them.
When and where will the College Football Playoff National Championship be held?
The championship game is scheduled for January 20, 2026, in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The location was confirmed by the College Football Playoff management committee in Irving, Texas, in early November. The semifinals will be at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, as part of the traditional rotation.