The penultimate College Football Playoff rankings have been released, setting the stage for a dramatic final selection Sunday after a wild conference championship weekend that delivered upsets, chaos, and clarity in equal measure. The playoff picture, which will be finalized on December 7th, hinges on the outcomes of nine title games that have reshaped the projected 12-team field.
Ohio State entered the weekend as the nation’s No. 1 team, but their perfect season and top seed hopes were dashed in a defensive slugfest against No. 2 Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. The Hoosiers, led by Heisman contender Fernando Mendoza, stunned the Buckeyes 13-10 to win their first conference title since 1967. The loss throws the race for the top seed into uncertainty, though both powerhouses are assured playoff spots. The bigger question is which team will secure a coveted first-round bye.
In the SEC, No. 3 Georgia exorcised some demons, dominating No. 9 Alabama 28-7 to claim back-to-back conference championships. The Bulldogs’ defense was suffocating, and the win solidifies their position in the top four, likely earning them a bye. Alabama’s loss, however, puts them squarely on the bubble, needing other results to fall their way to secure an at-large bid.
The most significant chaos came from the ACC, where unranked Duke pulled off a stunning 27-20 overtime victory over No. 17 Virginia. The Blue Devils’ win, sealed by a Darian Mensah touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal in OT, acts as a classic ‘bid thief,’ likely knocking Virginia out of the playoff and opening the door for a second Group of Five team. This result is a nightmare for the ACC and a dream for teams like James Madison, who won the Sun Belt title.
Speaking of the Group of Five, the race for the automatic bid intensified. No. 20 Tulane defeated No. 24 North Texas 34-21 to win the American Athletic Conference, seemingly locking up a spot. However, Duke’s upset creates a scenario where two Group of Five champions could make the field. James Madison, which capped an 11-1 season with a Sun Belt title, is now a serious contender for an at-large berth, a remarkable feat for the program.
In the Big 12, No. 4 Texas Tech left no doubt, overpowering No. 11 BYU 34-7 to claim the conference crown. The Red Raiders’ dominant performance, reminiscent of their 29-7 regular-season win over the Cougars, locks them into the playoff field and likely a top-four seed. BYU’s loss eliminates them from contention, closing the door on one potential chaos scenario.
Other champions crowned include Western Michigan (MAC), Kennesaw State (CUSA), and Boise State (Mountain West). The full slate of **bowl games for 2025** will be announced after the final CFP rankings are set, but the playoff bracket is the immediate focus.
The final **College Football Playoff schedule** is now coming into focus. The selection committee will unveil the official 12-team bracket on Sunday, determining first-round byes and matchups. The first round will be played on campus sites, with the quarterfinals and semifinals at major bowl venues. For fans wondering what **college football is on TV today**, the answer is nothing—the on-field action has concluded, and all eyes turn to the committee’s final deliberations.
Notre Dame, which slipped to No. 10 in the penultimate rankings, finds itself in a precarious position. Having completed its season, the Fighting Irish are at the mercy of the results. They likely needed Virginia to win the ACC and for no major upsets elsewhere. With Duke’s victory and James Madison’s strong case, Notre Dame’s playoff hopes appear to have evaporated, a controversial end to a 10-2 season.
The projected bracket from the penultimate rankings had Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, and Texas Tech as the top four seeds with byes. The first-round matchups were set to be: No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Oregon, No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss, and No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Texas A&M. After championship weekend, that entire landscape has been upended.
Alabama’s loss likely drops them, while Duke’s win removes Virginia. James Madison and potentially North Texas now enter the at-large conversation. The committee’s final task is to weigh conference championships, head-to-head results, and overall résumés to assemble the most compelling and fair 12-team field in the playoff’s second year of expansion. One thing is certain: after a weekend of high-stakes drama, Selection Sunday will be must-see TV for every college football fan.