Key Highlights
- Ohio State opens at No. 1 in the first edition of the 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings.
- The Buckeyes and undefeated Indiana dominate the top five spots.
- Eight of the eleven teams ranked No. 1 in a season’s initial CFP Rankings ultimately reached the playoff.
- Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia round out the top five.
The Top Teams in the Early College Football Playoff Rankings for 2025
On Tuesday night, the first edition of the 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings was released, setting the stage for a crucial final month of the college football season. Ohio State began the rankings at No. 1, ahead of Indiana in second place. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are leading a Big Ten- and SEC-dominated top five.
Ohio State, the reigning national champion with an undefeated record this year, is seeking its seventh playoff appearance in 12 years since the postseason bracket’s inception (2014, 2016, 2019-20, 2022, 2024).
It currently stands at 8-0 with a 5-0 record in the Big Ten. A regular-season finale against Michigan looms as a potential challenge for the Buckeyes to maintain their top seed status.
Indiana, also undefeated this season and off to a strong start, is now positioned as Ohio State’s main rival in the Big Ten, with its final three opponents being combined 7-18. The Hoosiers are one of only two teams ranked in the top five that have not yet lost.
Rankings Overview
The first-round bye is reserved for the highest-ranked team in the rankings at the end of the season, with a total of 12 teams competing. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are currently well-positioned to secure this top seed if they continue their dominant performances.
Other notable entries include Texas A&M (8-0), Alabama (7-1), and Georgia (7-1) in the top five, reflecting the strength of both the SEC and Big Ten conferences. Ole Miss (8-1), BYU (8-0), and Texas Tech (8-1) follow closely behind.
New Metrics and Selection Committee Considerations
The selection committee made it clear that they are placing greater emphasis on wins over quality opponents this season, while minimizing the reward for beating teams with sub-.500 records. This shift is attributed to the “record strength” metric designed to provide deeper reasoning for team placements.
Rankings such as Virginia (8-1) and Louisville (7-1) being ahead of Georgia Tech (8-1) and Miami (6-2) were surprising, given the Hurricanes’ notable early season wins. Georgia Tech’s recent loss to NC State has diminished its standing in the rankings.
While Oregon (9-0), a one-loss team with only one win over an opponent with a winning record, ranks ninth, it faces challenges from other teams like Ole Miss and Texas Tech who are also ranked due to their strong schedules and overall performance.
Implications for the Final Playoff Selection
The rankings will significantly influence which teams make it into the playoff. Teams like Miami (6-2) face tough competition with three ACC teams ahead of them, diminishing their chances despite a recent victory over Notre Dame in the season opener.
Texas A&M is currently in a good position due to its unblemished record and favorable schedule, which could keep it from falling behind Alabama should both teams win out. The Aggies have three wins against teams with winning records, while the Crimson Tide have four.
The selection process remains subjective, as the committee considers factors like strength of schedule and comparative outcomes of common opponents. These metrics are crucial for determining playoff eligibility in a highly competitive season.
Conclusion
The initial College Football Playoff Rankings for 2025 highlight the intense competition among top teams. Ohio State and Indiana stand as frontrunners, but the race to secure playoff spots remains wide open with many variables still up for consideration. Fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the season as these rankings continue to evolve over the coming weeks.
