After 10 weeks of upsets, buyouts, and Cinderellas, the college football world is in a frenzy because the first playoff bracket rankings of the season just dropped. A bunch of teams are now on notice as they try to impress the committee and get one of the 12 spots in the new, bigger playoff. Some teams are looking to keep their win streaks alive and lock down a top-four seed, which comes with a free pass past the first round. Meanwhile, other squads are fighting just to get in the tournament, making every remaining game a must-win to stay in the running.

The College Football Playoff committee releases its first official rankings on Tuesday night. However, if history repeats itself, those rankings usually look almost identical to what the major media polls show, obviously, until the final rankings at the end of the season. That’s when the committee starts using more of the “eye test” judging teams based on how they look and who they beat, not just what numbers and records say.

Right now, the top 10 teams in both major media polls are exactly the same, and even spots 11 and 12 are almost identical; only Virginia and Memphis are flipped between the two polls. Based on current projections, two SEC powerhouse programs (Texas and Oklahoma) would barely miss the top 12. Mind you, this projection gives us a preview of what the first CFP rankings will likely look like, even though the official list is coming soon.

Top 12 playoff seeding:

1) Ohio State Buckeyes

It’s hard and almost unrealistic to see anyone but Ohio State at the top of the food chain. Ohio State earned the No. 1 spot by being undefeated, undisputed, and yes, untouchable. Not only did they win all their games, nobody even looked like a threat. The only program that might give Ohio State a run for its money would be Indiana in the Big Ten Championship in December. Until then, they are in the driver’s seat. Top seed and first-round bye feel guaranteed.

2) Indiana Hoosiers

If we go merit for merit, then obviously, the Indiana Hoosiers has to be put above the Ohio State Buckeyes. Curt Cignetti’s boys have beaten two top 10 ranked programs so far. How many ranked teams did Ohio State beat? We all know that Texas Longhorns doesn’t count here (to some extent). However, the Hoosiers went to Autzen and broke the former No. 3 ranked Oregon Ducks’ 22-game win streak and also put 63 points against former No. 9 ranked Bret Bielema’s Illinois. If you had told someone that back in 2021, they would have sworn that it was a basketball score by looking at the points. So yeah, the Hoosiers are in the second spot here, including a first-round bye.

3) Texas A&M Aggies

Need to give props to Mike Elko and company. Who would’ve thought that Mike Elko would take the Aggies to the next level this fast? The Aggies are the only undefeated program in the SEC and are having their best season since 1992 (8-0). Aggieland went to the Tigers and scored almost 50 on their heads and also put Brian Kelly out of his job. Plus, they handled preseason No. 6 ranked Notre Dame at home. At this point, we are concerned Mike Elko is their 12th man.

4) Alabama Crimson Tide

Nobody had a better bounce back than Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama. Despite losing to a playoff pretender in the season opener (reminder: a team which went 2-10 last season) Kalen DeBoer said “This is not how I’m going out” and became hell-bent on winning. Since then, they are undefeated, winning seven games straight. Plus, they probably became the first program to beat back-to-back four ranked opponents. They flex their perfect record of 5-0 in the SEC and are the only team to beat Georgia this season. Their reputation and week ins and week outs dominance likely sealed a top-four spot and a first-round bye.

5) Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia, with only one loss (to a strong Alabama team) and a solid SEC record, lands a strong playoff spot just outside the top four. Even in 2025, they are one of the few programs in college football that can go toe-to-toe with anybody (including Ohio State and Indiana) and probably beat them. Kirby Smart’s men go to war each week and somehow end up on the winning side. That is how scary they are. Although the Bulldogs needed some external help to win the SEC, it is still funny how they can close games in the 4th quarter and crunch time while trailing most of the time. They are serious contenders this time despite not getting a first-round bye.

6) Ole Miss

Presumably, it’s Lane Kiffin’s world we are living in. The Rebels are 8-1, looks like Lane Kiffin is finally going to the playoffs without his football pops (Nick Saban). Their only loss came at the hands of Kirby Smart’s Georgia, that too, they went toe-to-toe (45-38 loss). Even their defense has improved significantly, unlike earlier. They are allowing just 22-ish points per game. Ole Miss also had a great run in the SEC. Their one loss not derailing their playoff hopes.

7) BYU Cougars

BYU’s perfect record in the Big 12 puts them in the top 12 and earns them a first-round home game. Kalani Sitake’s Cougars are one of the few teams that happen to be undefeated in the FBS. If the season ends today, it is them vs Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. What is more impressive is that the team is led by true freshman Bear Bachmeier. Even more impressively, they have overcome double-digit deficits in all three of their road games. Folks were skeptical when Jake Retzlaff transferred. Look at them right now, thriving.

8) Texas Tech Red Raiders

Everyone saw this coming eventually. After years of being mediocre at best, the Red Raiders boosters finally put their oil money into the program. Fortunately, it’s paying off (8–1). Joey McGuire deserves massive credit for building one of the toughest defenses in college football, led by Romello Heights and Jacob Rodrigues. They’ve won most of their games by 24+ points. Their biggest test is the upcoming Top 10 showdown vs. BYU. If they win, they could grab home-field advantage in Round 1.

9) Oregon Ducks

If it weren’t for a narrow 30-20 loss against the Indiana Hoosiers early in the season, Dan Lanning’s Ducks would still be in the top three or two. The Ducks have the best pound-for-pound roster in the Big 10 outside Ohio State and maybe Indiana. The Ducks currently have a 10-game winning streak going for them. It would not be a surprise if they end up the last program standing in the Big 10 when everything is said and done.

10) Notre Dame

The former natty runner-up remains a threat to almost everyone. Even after an uninspiring 0–2 start (losing two games by a combined four points), they fired back with a six-game win streak and beat teams like USC. They also have the best running back in the country — and he’s a certified playoff weapon. Their record isn’t elite, but their big wins and reputation keep them inside the Top 12.

11) Virginia Cavaliers

This year’s Cavaliers resemble the 2024 SMU Mustangs. They’re having their best ACC start since 2007. Their win over Florida State was their highest-ranked victory in 20 years. Now the question is: can they hang on?

12) Memphis

Truth is — they’re probably not one of the Top 25 or Top 30 overall rosters, but this is that Group of Five automatic bid spot. But that doesn’t mean they’re bad. Memphis earns their playoff slot as the highest-ranked G5 conference champion. They’re 8–1, averaging around 440 yards per game, and have one of the most underrated RB duos in Sutton Smith and Greg Desrosiers. Sure, they’ll be traveling in Round 1, but their season was strong enough to be recognized by the committee.