The Athletic has begun live coverage of the anticipated release of the 2025 College Football Playoff rankings. As the final Tuesday of the college football regular season approaches, the selection committee is set to unveil its Top 25. This release is pivotal as it sets the stage for the rankings that will ultimately decide the playoff contenders on December 7. Fans can tune in tonight at 7 PM ET on ESPN to see how the teams stack up.
Utilizing a Playoff projections model, analysts are eager to predict the committee’s choices following a relatively predictable weekend in college football. Notably, last week’s rankings saw the committee favoring Notre Dame over Alabama and Texas over Michigan, which came as a surprise to some observers. Based on recent performances, Notre Dame’s win over Syracuse solidifies its position, while Michigan continues to lead over Texas before its significant match against top-ranked Ohio State.
Recent analysis highlighted a setback in projecting the committee’s decisions, particularly in relation to the top Group of 5 team; while North Texas was expected, Tulane ultimately received the nod.
The upcoming November 25 rankings are projected to feature a competitive field. Teams like Arizona State, Arizona, Washington, Navy, and Missouri are on the radar for potential rankings. The competition remains fierce, especially regarding potential upward movement for Miami and Vanderbilt, both of which had notable performances last week. Miami defeated Virginia Tech convincingly, and Vanderbilt secured a robust win against Kentucky. Conversely, Utah struggled despite narrowly defeating Kansas State, which may influence its standing.
Vanderbilt, with hopes of an at-large playoff bid, finds its path complicated as it cannot clinch the SEC championship directly. Thus, a critical win against Tennessee this Saturday is essential. Miami, meanwhile, still harbors faint hopes of winning the ACC title but likely needs an at-large invitation as well.
As the regular season wraps up, there remains the potential for surprising outcomes. A strong finish by Miami and Vanderbilt could sway the selection committee’s decision, but a win at Tennessee may be necessary for Vanderbilt to bolster its resume.
Texas and Michigan, positioned closely in the rankings, also loom ahead of significant rivalry matchups this week. With Texas hosting third-ranked Texas A&M and Michigan facing off against top-ranked Ohio State, victories could dramatically enhance both teams’ postseason outlooks, especially with their earlier rankings adjusting the narrative surrounding them.
Overall, the committee’s decisions this week could be influential as the playoff picture grows clearer heading into the conclusion of the season. The projected rankings will be closely watched, as teams strive for the optimal path to the coveted playoff spots.