This college football season has seen some of the most unexpected upsets and stories in its history. The main reason is the continued development of the transfer portal and NIL. Another reason is that this is the first year where conference realignment has taken place throughout the country, leading to many big-time matchups. Finally, the expansion of the college football playoffs from four teams to 12 has made every contest matter, even for those who have lost games. On Tuesday night, the first-ever 12-team college football rankings were released. While they may have been swept under the rug due to election night coverage, this column will touch on the rankings and any controversy born from them.
The initial rankings will change as the season progresses, but it is still important to see where teams stand. One piece that is important before we dive into the rankings is that the Power 4 conferences—ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and SEC—automatically get the top four spots. This means that while BYU is currently ranked No. 9, they are really the No. 4 team, as they are the best in the Big 12.
A major snub that wasn’t a part of the rankings was the South Carolina Gamecocks. Despite their record being only 5-3, South Carolina just beat Texas A&M and have been in one score matchups with both Alabama and LSU. The Gamecocks also have one of the best defenses in the country. The list, instead, includes Missouri and Louisville who have struggled at times this season, leading many to believe South Carolina would get in over them.
Conference Breakdown
Clemson, who is ranked No. 19 in the AP poll, was ranked No. 23 in the CFP poll. Dabo Swinney’s team will need to win out and win the ACC if they want a chance to return to the playoffs. In terms of the rest of the ACC, Miami is ranked fourth, while SMU is ranked No. 13. SMU is one of this year’s surprise teams in college football and controls their own destiny for birth in the ACC Championship game. There is a real shot the Mustangs may not have to win their conference to get into the playoffs. Pittsburgh, which was undefeated until its loss to SMU, currently sits at No. 18. Louisville is the fourth, and final, team from the ACC in the rankings, sitting at No. 22.
The SEC has the most teams in the rankings with eight. Sitting at No. 3, Georgia is the conference’s highest ranked team. Despite quarterback Carson Beck’s struggles, the Bulldogs had a huge win over fifth-ranked Texas, which has earned them their ranking. Texas, who was first in AP polls for most of the year before their loss to Georgia, is fifth and the second highest-ranked SEC team. Tennessee is the other top ten SEC team as they sit seventh in the poll and look to have their best season since the Peyton Manning era. Kalen DeBoer has Alabama just outside the top ten in his first season as the Crimson Tide head coach. Their biggest game of the season is this Saturday night as they take on No. 15 LSU in Death Valley. Texas A&M is ranked 14th in Mike Elko’s first season as coach and has a huge date with Texas in the last week of the regular season, which could decide their playoff fate. Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels, who have been a disappointment so far, have a chance to rectify their season as they host Georgia this weekend. A win would put them right back in the playoff hunt. Finally, Missouri rounds out the rankings for the SEC, despite struggling this year against top competition.
The Big Ten has the top two teams in the country with Ohio State and Oregon. Oregon got the top spot as they defeated Ohio State back in October. Penn State sits sixth in the rankings, following their loss to Ohio State and has a real shot at making the playoffs. James Franklin has yet to prove himself in big games and will need to do so down the stretch. Indiana is the biggest shock in college football, and in coach Curt Cignetti’s first year, they sit eighth in the rankings. The Big Ten is very top heavy, with all four ranked teams in the top 10.
The Big 12 features four teams in the rankings: Colorado, Kansas State, Iowa State and BYU. BYU is the top-ranked team in the wide-open conference and has the easiest path toward a bid. Kansas State and Iowa State are coming off bad losses to unranked opponents and need a miracle to reach the playoffs. Deion Sanders and his crew have performed exceptionally this year and have an outside shot of winning the Big 12 and making the playoffs.
The group of five teams in the rankings include Boise State at No. 12, Wahington State at No. 21 and Army at No. 25. Boise State controls their own destiny to a postseason berth. Notre Dame sits at 10th and has a date with Army in the last week of the regular season that will play a pivotal role for both teams.