College Football Playoff Rankings Week 13: How to Watch and Key Updates

The college football season’s almost at its wild finish, and the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings have fans buzzing. The SEC still rules the top, grabbing half of the 12 playoff spots, but wild upsets and comebacks have really shaken things up.

This post digs into the newest twists, big matchups, and how the selection process works. Here’s what you need to know about Week 13’s CFP rankings—and how to catch the reveal if you’re curious.

SEC Dominance and Shocking Upsets

The SEC keeps its grip on the Playoff, with six teams in the top 12. Still, nothing feels settled.

The biggest shock? No. 11 Oklahoma pulled off a gutsy 23-21 win over No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. That’s the kind of result that scrambles the pecking order and leaves fans arguing late into the night.

Georgia’s Statement Win

No. 5 Georgia made some noise too, hammering No. 10 Texas 35-10 in Athens. That sort of win might just push Georgia up the rankings.

Texas A&M’s Narrow Escape

Earlier, No. 3 Texas A&M looked like they were done for, but they clawed back from a 27-point hole against South Carolina. The Aggies squeaked out a 31-30 win and held onto their spot up top.

Big Ten and Big 12 Performances

The Big Ten’s best kept rolling. Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon all picked up wins over the weekend.

That consistency should keep the unbeaten Buckeyes and Hoosiers locked into the top two CFP spots for now.

Big 12’s Rising Stars

Over in the Big 12, Texas Tech and BYU put on a show. Texas Tech steamrolled UCF 48-9, and BYU handled TCU 44-13.

Those kinds of blowouts might help them climb the rankings a bit.

Utah’s Potential Breakthrough

Don’t sleep on No. 13 Utah either—they crushed Baylor 55-28. Maybe that’s enough to sneak them into the bracket’s lower half and make things more interesting.

Expanded 12-Team Format

This year marks the second season for the expanded 12-team format. The five highest-ranked conference champs get in automatically.

Then, the next seven highest-ranked teams fill out the Playoff. Every game feels huge with so few spots left.

Group of 5 Representation

Last week, just one Group of 5 team made the CFP rankings: No. 24 South Florida. But after their 41-38 loss to Navy, things will probably shift.

The latest AP poll actually has three Group of 5 teams—James Madison, North Texas, and Tulane—in the mix. That could shake up the bottom of the rankings.

Selection Committee Insights

The committee decides the CFP rankings, and this year’s group brings a lot of experience. Some names you might recognize:

• Chris Ault – former Nevada head coach and athletic director
• Troy Dannen – current athletic director at Nebraska
• Mark Dantonio – former head coach at Cincinnati and Michigan State
• Mark Harlan – current athletic director at Utah
• Jeff Long – former athletic director at Kansas, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, and Eastern Kentucky
• Ivan Maisel – longtime sportswriter and Hall of Fame member of the Football Writers Association of America
• Chris Massaro – current athletic director at Middle Tennessee State
• Mike Riley – former head coach at Oregon State and Nebraska
• David Sayler – current athletic director at Miami (Ohio)
• Wesley Walls – former Ole Miss tight end enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame
• Carla Williams – current athletic director at Virginia
• Hunter Yurachek – current athletic director at Arkansas

Leadership Changes

There’s been a shakeup at the top. Selection committee chairman and Baylor AD Mack Rhoades stepped down for personal reasons.

Hunter Yurachek now chairs the committee, and Mark Harlan is back after previously serving in 2023. It’s anyone’s guess how these changes will affect the final rankings.

Key Week 13 Matchups

With conference championship weekend looming, Week 13 has some games you won’t want to miss. A few to circle: