Week 9 saw two ranked teams fall, while a few others barely squeaked by (I’m still not over what happened in Starkville, if you’re asking), but the biggest result involved Texas A&M’s absolute thrashing of LSU, which ultimately cost Brian Kelly his job.
These results would shake up the College Football Playoff rankings… if such rankings were to be released by the College Football Playoff committee this week.
Advertisement
With the first release of those rankings still a week away, I will continue to choose (at least) one team that I am confident will not make the 12-team College Football Playoff field, based on its performance to date.
If you want to know how my process works, check it out here.
So far, we have crossed off Boise State, Florida, Kansas State, Clemson, Auburn, South Carolina, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Illinois, Memphis, Nebraska and LSU. Here is this week’s list (new teams added to the list last week are in bold):
1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Oregon
7. Georgia Tech
8. Ole Miss
9. Miami
10. Vanderbilt
11. BYU
12. Notre Dame
13. Oklahoma
14. Texas Tech
15. Missouri
16. Virginia
17. Tennessee
18. South Florida
19. Louisville
21. Cincinnati
22. Texas
24. Arizona State
25. Michigan
26. USC
27. Utah
Advertisement
This week’s selections: Arizona State, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Why Arizona State? Saturday’s 24-16 loss to Houston was their third of the season, and if the CFP committee is going to look at three-loss teams in the SEC sideways, it’s going to pay no mind to a three-loss Big 12 team, unless it’s a conference champion.
However, the Sun Devils will have to run the table in order to have any chance to make the title game, and quarterback Sam Leavitt is set to miss this week’s game at Iowa State. Good luck.
Why Missouri? Despite its only two losses coming against No. 4 Alabama and No. 9 (!!!) Vanderbilt is in eighth place in the SEC. If the Tigers were to win out, they would likely lock up an at-large CFP berth.
However, winning out would mean wins (in order) against No. 3 Texas A&M, Mississippi State, at No. 18 Oklahoma, and at Arkansas. I love Mizzou’s story this year, but I just don’t see it.
Why Oklahoma? Just like Missouri, the Sooners have two losses, leaving little room for error. However, their schedule is even more of a gauntlet than Missouri’s: at No. 14 Tennessee, at No. 4 Alabama, Missouri, LSU. The Sooners will lament Saturday’s home loss to Ole Miss when they’re on the outside of the 12-team CFP field.
Advertisement
Arizona State, Missouri and Oklahoma… your watch has ended.
Check back next week when I cross off at least one team from this list (new teams added to the list this week are in bold):
1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Oregon
7. Ole Miss
8. Georgia Tech
9. Vanderbilt
10. BYU
10. Miami
12. Notre Dame
13. Texas Tech
14. Tennessee
15. Virginia
16. Louisville
17. Cincinnati
20. Texas
21. Michigan
22. Houston
23. USC
24. Utah
Next week’s selections will be released no later than Tuesday morning… in advance of the first College Football Playoff rankings.
This story was originally reported by College Football News on Oct 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
