As the college football season enters its final weeks, experts have released their latest College Football Playoff predictions, capturing the intense race for the expanded 12-team field. These insights come after a Week 11 filled with dramatic games that reshaped the playoff landscape, with key teams solidifying their positions or facing new challenges.
The second College Football Playoff rankings of the 2025 season are scheduled for release on Tuesday, November 11, and preliminary projections indicate that Ohio State will maintain the top spot following a commanding performance against Purdue. Texas A&M is poised to climb to No. 2 after a significant victory over Missouri, while Indiana, despite a narrow escape against Penn State, remains a strong contender in the top three. Alabama and Georgia are expected to hold their places in the top five, emphasizing the Southeastern Conference’s dominance in the playoff conversation.
Ole Miss and Texas Tech are among the other teams projected to secure high seeds, though their paths are complicated by earlier losses and schedule strengths. The committee’s evaluation criteria, including strength of record and schedule, play a crucial role, as seen in the drop of BYU after a lopsided loss to Texas Tech. This highlights the importance of not just wins and losses, but the quality of opponents and game performances.
Conference dynamics have added layers of uncertainty, particularly in the ACC, where Virginia and Louisville suffered unexpected defeats to unranked teams. Georgia Tech now emerges as the likely highest-ranked ACC representative, but with multiple teams tied at one loss, the conference championship is up for grabs. Similarly, the American Athletic Conference features a tight race, with South Florida currently favored for the automatic bid, though James Madison from the Sun Belt is gaining traction.
Upcoming games in Week 12 and beyond will be critical in determining the final playoff field. Matchups such as Notre Dame at Pittsburgh, South Carolina at Texas A&M, and Texas at Georgia could make or break teams’ aspirations. Projected first-round games include potential in-state showdowns like Texas Tech hosting Texas, which would ignite local rivalries and draw national attention.
The new 12-team playoff format introduces strategic considerations, with the top four teams earning byes and seeds 5-8 hosting first-round contests. This benefits teams like Ohio State and Texas A&M if they secure high seeds, while bubble teams like Oklahoma and BYU must win out to improve their positioning. Expert analyses stress that every game carries heightened significance under this system, rewarding consistency and strong finishes.
Beyond the major conferences, the competition for the fifth conference champion auto-bid is fierce, with contenders from the American, Sun Belt, and other leagues. South Florida, James Madison, and others are in the mix, but head-to-head results and overall resumes will be scrutinized. The final weeks will reveal which team earns this coveted spot, adding to the playoff’s inclusivity and excitement.
In conclusion, the expert picks provide a snapshot of a volatile and thrilling playoff race, with the official rankings and remaining games set to deliver more twists. As teams jockey for position, fans can expect a dramatic conclusion to the season, culminating in a historic expanded College Football Playoff that promises unforgettable moments and a clear path to the national championship.
