Texas Tech Rises, Miami Climbs in Latest College Football Rankings
The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings just dropped, and fans are buzzing. The top five teams didn’t budge, but the action below them is reshaping the playoff race.
Texas Tech made a bold move up, and Miami took advantage of other ACC teams’ stumbles. Let’s take a look at the new rankings, some key matchups, and what all this could mean for the rest of the season.
Top Five Unchanged: Ohio State Leads the Pack
Table of Contents
Ohio State still sits at No. 1, showing no signs of slowing down. Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia hold steady right behind them.
These teams keep delivering, so it’s no surprise they’re the favorites as the season nears its end.
Ohio State’s Dominance
The Buckeyes look sharp on both offense and defense. They’re the team everyone wants to beat, but so far, nobody’s managed to knock them off the top spot.
Texas Tech’s Ascent and Miami’s Opportunism
Texas Tech jumped two spots to No. 6 after crushing BYU. That win boosted their chances at a first-round bye and showed they might be ready to challenge the big names.
Miami climbed from No. 18 to No. 15, mostly thanks to other ACC contenders falling short. Sometimes you just need a little luck, right?
Texas Tech’s Impressive Run
The Red Raiders have turned heads, especially with their strong performance against BYU. Their defense has been tough, and the offense moves the ball well, even if they sometimes leave points out there.
They’re in a solid spot to grab an at-large CFP selection if they keep this up.
Miami’s Strategic Climb
The Hurricanes capitalized on ACC rivals’ mistakes. Their opening win over Notre Dame keeps coming up, and their offense has been steady—maybe not flashy, but reliable.
Even though they’re only seventh in the ACC, they’re now the highest-ranked team from the conference. That’s something nobody really saw coming a few weeks ago.
Key Movers and Shakers
Oregon moved up to No. 8, while Ole Miss slipped to No. 7. The Ducks’ close win over Iowa, who hangs in at No. 21, helped their case.
Notre Dame and Texas round out the top 10, with Oklahoma just missing out at No. 11.
Oregon’s Narrow Escape
People had doubts about Oregon because they hadn’t faced many tough teams. Their last-second win at Iowa changed the conversation a bit.
They’re not out of the playoff mix yet, and honestly, they’re a team to keep an eye on.
Ole Miss and BYU’s Setbacks
Ole Miss dropping to No. 7 and BYU falling to No. 12 show just how quickly things can change. Both teams have talent, but recent losses have hurt them.
BYU’s defeat by Texas Tech stung, and Ole Miss hasn’t looked as sharp lately. They’ll need to regroup fast.
Impactful Upcoming Games
The rest of November is packed with games that could shake up the CFP picture. Conference titles and at-large playoff spots are all up for grabs.
Notre Dame at Pitt
No. 9 Notre Dame travels to No. 22 Pitt in a game with big playoff implications. If Pitt pulls off a win, Notre Dame could be out of the running, and the ACC might get a boost.
Book Your Dream Vacation Today
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences
This one’s definitely worth tuning in for.
Oklahoma at Alabama
No. 11 Oklahoma heads to No. 4 Alabama in a matchup that could change everything. If the Sooners pull off an upset, their playoff hopes stay alive and Alabama’s spot gets shaky.
This game is set up to be a real showdown.
Texas at Georgia
No. 10 Texas faces No. 5 Georgia. If Texas wins, their SEC title game hopes are still alive, but a loss probably ends their CFP run.
Georgia just needs one win—either here or against Texas A&M—to feel safe in the playoff hunt.
Other Crucial Matchups
There are plenty of other November games that could decide the final CFP rankings. Here are a few to watch:
- USF at Navy: No. 24 USF faces Navy, and the American Conference title race could get interesting.
- USC at Oregon: No. 17 USC visits No. 8 Oregon, and this could be an elimination game for the Ducks.
- BYU at Cincinnati: This one probably determines who Texas Tech faces in the Big 12 title game.
- Pitt at Georgia Tech: No matter what Pitt does this weekend, Georgia Tech is still in the mix for both the CFP and ACC titles.
- Louisville at SMU: No. 20 Louisville needs to win the ACC, so this game matters a lot for them.
- Georgia vs. Georgia Tech: A Georgia Tech win could put them in the at-large conversation, but Georgia just needs one more victory to feel secure.
- Texas A&M at Texas: This one might just be about SEC seeding and bragging rights, but that’s never boring.
- Vanderbilt at Tennessee: Vanderbilt’s CFP hopes are on the line here—it’s do or die.
- Miami at Pitt: Miami faces their toughest test yet, and it could decide their playoff fate.
- Ohio State at Michigan: This one’s huge for Buckeyes fans and could decide the Big Ten championship.
Looking Ahead
The CFP race is heating up. The next few weeks will decide which teams actually make the final cut.
High-stakes games are right around the corner. Fans should brace themselves for some wild matchups and maybe even a few upsets that could shake up the playoff picture.
If you want more details or the latest updates, check out the full article on the New York Times.