Ohio State stayed at No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for the second straight week on November 11, 2025, cementing its status as the clear favorite in the 12-team playoff era. The College Football Playoff selection committee — a 12-member panel of athletic directors and former coaches — released its third ranking of the season, and the top three remained untouched: Ohio State at No. 1, Indiana at No. 2, and Texas A&M at No. 3. The Buckeyes, now 8-0, didn’t need to impress this week — they just needed to not lose. They didn’t. And that was enough.
Top Five Stands Still, But Momentum Shifts Below
The top five stayed frozen in place, with Alabama at No. 4 and Georgia at No. 5. But behind them, things got interesting. Texas Tech surged two spots to No. 6 after a gritty road win over West Virginia, while Ole Miss tumbled to No. 7 despite crushing Citadel 52-7. The Rebels’ nonconference win didn’t move the needle — the committee clearly values strength of schedule over margin of victory. Meanwhile, Oregon held steady at No. 8, followed by Notre Dame at No. 9 and Texas at No. 10.Here’s the twist: Miami, the Atlantic Coast Conference leader, climbed three spots to No. 15 — just enough to lock up the ACC’s automatic bid under the new 12-team format. Georgia Tech, once in the conversation, fell out after a loss to Florida State. And while Oklahoma and BYU were the first two teams out, both still have a lifeline — if one of the top four loses, they could sneak in.
Why Ohio State Isn’t Just Lucky — It’s Dominant
Ohio State didn’t win any flashy games last week. But it didn’t need to. The Buckeyes’ resume speaks louder than highlights. They’ve beaten Texas (14-7), Penn State (38-14), and Wisconsin — all ranked teams — and they’ve done it with a defense that ranks top-10 nationally in points allowed. They’re No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, and even Bill Connelly’s SP+ metric, which weights efficiency over wins, has them on top. ESPN’s College Football Power Index gives them the No. 3 strength of record, behind only Indiana and Texas A&M — but here’s the kicker: their strength of schedule is only No. 33 in the FBS. That’s not a weakness. It’s a sign they’ve been able to dominate weaker opponents, which the committee rewards.Indiana, meanwhile, survived a heart-stopping 31-30 win over Penn State on a last-second field goal. The Hoosiers’ defense held firm, but their offense sputtered for three quarters. Still, the committee didn’t punish them. Why? Because they’re 8-0, and they’ve beaten three ranked teams — including a win over Ohio State in 2024 that still lingers in the memory of some voters. Texas A&M, with its 8-0 record and a dominant 41-17 win at Missouri, looks like the most complete team on paper. But the committee still sees Ohio State as the most consistent.
The 12-Team Math: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Why
The new playoff format is simple in theory: five conference champions automatically qualify, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. But the reality is messy. Miami is in because they’re the ACC champ, even though they’re only No. 15. South Florida, the highest-ranked Group of Five team at No. 24, is still in the hunt — but only if the top four stay perfect. If one of them stumbles, the door cracks open.The committee’s methodology, as explained by CFP chairman Warde Manuel in early November, prioritizes “overall quality, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results.” That’s why Texas Tech jumped Ole Miss — the Red Raiders have wins over two ranked opponents this season, while the Rebels’ biggest win was against a non-ranked team in their conference. It’s not about how many points you score. It’s about who you beat, when, and where.
What’s Next? The Race to December 7
The next rankings drop on November 18, 2025, right after the final weekend of conference play before championship week. That’s when things get wild. Ohio State hosts Michigan on November 23 — the biggest game of the season so far. A loss there? Everything changes. Indiana plays Purdue and Maryland — likely wins — but then faces a brutal road game at Penn State on November 28. Texas A&M has a bye week before facing LSU in the SEC title game.The final bracket will be revealed on December 7, 2025, and the first round kicks off on December 19, 2025. The championship game is set for late December or early January. The top four teams get byes — meaning Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M are all fighting for those spots. The stakes? A direct path to the semifinals. The cost of a slip-up? A one-and-done exit.
Historical Context: A New Era, Same Pressure
This is the second season of the 12-team playoff. Last year, No. 1 Alabama lost to Georgia in the SEC title game and still made it — but as a No. 5 seed. This year, the committee is being stricter. No conference champion is guaranteed a top-four seed. The margin for error is razor-thin. In 2024, only two teams entered the final week undefeated. This year, three are still perfect. That’s unprecedented. And it means the next three weeks will decide who plays for the national title — and who gets left behind.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ohio State ranked No. 1 despite a weaker schedule than Indiana or Texas A&M?
The committee prioritizes overall dominance and consistency over schedule strength alone. Ohio State has beaten three ranked opponents, including a road win over Texas and a decisive victory over Penn State. While Indiana and Texas A&M have tougher schedules, Ohio State’s margin of victory and defensive performance give it the edge in the committee’s eyes — especially with no losses.
Can Miami still make the playoff if it loses the ACC Championship?
No. Miami’s automatic bid is contingent on winning the ACC title. Even if they’re ranked No. 15 and the top four lose, they must win their conference to qualify. The committee only grants automatic bids to conference champions — not to the highest-ranked teams outside the top four.
What happens if Ohio State loses to Michigan?
If Ohio State loses, it’s likely to drop out of the top four, opening the door for Indiana or Texas A&M to claim a first-round bye. But the Buckeyes could still make the playoff as a No. 5 or 6 seed — especially if they’re still undefeated or have only one loss. Their resume is strong enough to survive a single defeat.
Why is Texas Tech ranked higher than Ole Miss despite fewer wins?
Texas Tech has two wins over ranked opponents (Oklahoma and West Virginia), while Ole Miss’s biggest win was against Citadel, an FCS team. The committee values quality wins over quantity. Even though Ole Miss is 8-1, their schedule lacks the same level of competition as Texas Tech’s conference slate.
Who controls the final playoff bracket?
The 12-person College Football Playoff selection committee, composed of former coaches, athletic directors, and administrators, votes weekly and makes the final decisions. Their methodology is public, but their deliberations are private. No single person has veto power — decisions are made by consensus.
When is the next chance for teams to climb the rankings?
The next rankings release is on November 18, 2025, after the final weekend of regular-season games. The final bracket will be announced on December 7, 2025, following conference championship games on November 29 and 30.
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