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The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings drop Tuesday night, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a weekend of upsets, statement wins, and chaos, the Selection Committee faces tough decisions—especially for the Oklahoma Sooners and Alabama Crimson Tide. Here’s our projected top 12 and analysis.
The Unbeaten Contenders: Georgia, Michigan, FSU, Washington
No changes are expected at the top, where four unbeaten powerhouses hold firm:
– Georgia (9-0) dominated Missouri, cementing its No. 1 spot.
– Michigan (9-0) crushed Purdue despite off-field distractions.
– Florida State (9-0) grinded past Pitt, staying playoff-bound.
– Washington (9-0) survived USC in a shootout, solidifying its résumé.
Ohio State & Oregon: Waiting for Their Shot
- Ohio State (9-0) held steady during its bye week, remaining at No. 5.
- Oregon (8-1) routed Cal, looking like the nation’s best one-loss team after a close loss to Washington.
Texas Surges, Oklahoma’s Playoff Dreams Fade
- Texas (8-1) reignited its playoff hopes with a thrilling OT win over Kansas State. Quinn Ewers’ return boosts their case, and their head-to-head win over Alabama could be decisive. Expect a top-6 jump.
- Oklahoma (7-2) collapsed with back-to-back losses (Kansas, Oklahoma State). The Sooners will plummet to No. 11 or 12, needing chaos to re-enter contention.
Alabama’s Steady Climb
- Alabama (8-1) survived LSU in a shootout, with Jalen Milroe’s breakout fueling their rise. Wins over Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU bolster their résumé, but the Texas loss lingers. Projected: No. 7.
Penn State, Ole Miss, and the Longshots
- Penn State (8-1) rebounded vs. Maryland but needs a Michigan upset.
- Ole Miss (8-1) stays alive after handling Texas A&M.
- Louisville (8-1) and Oregon State (7-2) round out the next tier.
Projected CFP Top 12
- Georgia (9-0)
- Michigan (9-0)
- Florida State (9-0)
- Washington (9-0)
- Ohio State (9-0)
- Texas (8-1)
- Alabama (8-1)
- Penn State (8-1)
- Ole Miss (8-1)
- Oregon (8-1)
- Louisville (8-1)
- Oklahoma (7-2)
Key Takeaways
- Oklahoma’s Collapse: Two losses likely doom the Sooners’ playoff hopes.
- Alabama’s Path: Win out + SEC title = playoff dark horse.
- Texas vs. Bama: Longhorns own the head-to-head, but Bama’s résumé is stronger now.
- Pac-12 Decider: Washington-Oregon rematch could decide a playoff bid.
Stay tuned for live CFP ranking reactions on NextMinuteNews!
— By [Your Name], NextMinuteNews CFB Analyst
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