The College Football Playoff committee releases its first rankings Tuesday night, and these won’t look like the AP Poll.
The committee uses different criteria for the second year of the 12-team playoff format. Get ready for terms like “strength of record,” “strength of schedule,” and “eye test” to dominate the conversation.
ESPN will unveil the first rankings Tuesday at 8 p.m. on “College Football Top 25.” The committee will release five more rankings before announcing the 12-team field Dec. 7.
Here’s the complete schedule:
• Tuesday, Nov. 4: 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 11: 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 18: 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 25: 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 2: 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 7: 12 p.m.
Projected College Football Playoff Rankings
25. Memphis (8-1)
The Tigers have quality wins against USF and Arkansas. The committee typically ranks Group of 5 teams lower, but Memphis has done enough to crack the top 25.
24. Iowa (6-2)
The Hawkeyes lost to Iowa State and Indiana by eight total points. That should help their case heading into the Oregon matchup, even without a signature win.
23. Cincinnati (7-2)
The 45-14 loss at Utah hurts, but Cincinnati’s victory against Iowa State gives them an edge. The Bearcats have just one Big 12 loss overall.
22. Washington (6-2)
Washington beat Illinois 42-25 and has won three of four games. Losses to Ohio State and Michigan won’t hurt much given those teams’ rankings.
21. Michigan (7-2)
The Wolverines struggled against Purdue in a 21-16 win and haven’t beaten a ranked team. The victory over Washington keeps them in the discussion.
20. Missouri (6-2)
The Tigers lead eight SEC teams in these rankings. One-score losses to Vanderbilt and Alabama shouldn’t drop them too far without a ranked victory.
19. USC (6-2)
USC’s 31-13 victory against Michigan provides a useful tie-breaker. The Trojans are 1-2 against top-25 teams this season.
18. Utah (7-2)
The Utes beat Cincinnati convincingly and have two top-25 victories. Losses to Texas Tech and BYU limit their upward movement.
17. Miami (6-2)
The Hurricanes sit at No. 18 in the AP Poll. Wins against Notre Dame and Florida State balance losses to Louisville and SMU.
16. Georgia Tech (8-1)
The 48-36 loss to NC State drops the Yellow Jackets to the lowest-ranked one-loss team. Their overall body of work keeps them in contention.
15. Louisville (8-1)
The Cardinals beat Miami 24-21 and control their ACC destiny. The 30-27 overtime loss to Virginia won’t hurt too badly.
14. Vanderbilt (7-2)
The Commodores have three wins against ranked teams – South Carolina, LSU, and Missouri. Close road losses to Alabama and Texas show they belong.
13. Virginia (8-1)
The Cavaliers beat Louisville head-to-head and defeated Florida State when the Seminoles were ranked No. 8. They could be the ACC’s highest-ranked team.
12. Notre Dame (6-2)
The Irish have won six straight by double digits. Their lone ranked victory came against USC, 34-24.
11. Oklahoma (7-2)
The Sooners beat Michigan 24-13 in non-conference play and have wins over Auburn and Tennessee. Those SEC victories carry weight.
10. Texas (7-2)
Texas beat both Vanderbilt (34-31) and Oklahoma (23-6) head-to-head. The committee values those direct comparisons heavily.
9. Texas Tech (8-1)
The Red Raiders beat Utah and lost to Arizona State without starting quarterback Behren Morton. That context should help their case.
8. BYU (8-0)
The Cougars also beat Utah and face Texas Tech this weekend. BYU ranked No. 9 in last year’s first CFP rankings at 8-0.
7. Oregon (7-1)
The Ducks’ overtime win against Penn State hasn’t aged well. A potential home loss to Indiana might drop them from their AP ranking of No. 6.
6. Ole Miss (8-1)
The Rebels beat LSU and Oklahoma before losing 43-35 to Georgia. That’s still strong enough for a top-six ranking.
5. Georgia (7-1)
Georgia lost 24-21 to Alabama but has won four straight SEC games since. The victory over Ole Miss keeps them in the top five.
4. Alabama (7-1)
Alabama has four wins against top-25 teams – more than anyone else. Victories over Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee could push them to No. 3.
The Crimson Tide’s resume speaks for itself.
3. Texas A&M (8-0)
The Aggies beat Notre Dame and LSU while staying unbeaten in SEC play. They’re the league’s only undefeated team remaining.
2. Indiana (9-0)
The Hoosiers average 31 points per game margin of victory – best in the FBS. Curt Cignetti has them looking like a legitimate contender in year two.
1. Ohio State (8-0)
The defending champions beat Texas 14-7 in the season opener. Ohio State allows just 6.9 points per game – the only team under double digits.
Quarterback Julian Sayin leads the FBS in completion percentage (80.7%) and efficiency (197.1).
