College Football Playoff rankings: Texas A&M falls to No. 7 below Ole Miss; Alabama and Notre Dame switch positions

In the latest College Football Playoff rankings, Texas A&M has dropped from No. 3 to No. 7 following their loss to Texas, though the Aggies remain firmly in the playoff picture and are set to host a first-round game. Behind them, Alabama and Notre Dame swapped positions despite both teams winning in Week 14, with Alabama moving up to No. 9 and Notre Dame sliding to No. 10.

Ohio State and Indiana maintained their top spots, while Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon, and Ole Miss all climbed one position after Texas A&s defeat. Notably, Ole Misss ranking was unaffected by Lane Kiffins move to LSU, as the committee does not typically adjust rankings for a coachs absence.

Oklahoma remains at No. 8, positioned just ahead of Alabama and Notre Dame. The shift between Alabama and Notre Dame could prove crucial, especially with Alabama set to face Georgia in the SEC title game. A narrow loss for the Crimson Tide could drop them to No. 10, potentially placing Notre Dame at risk of losing a playoff spot. Currently, Notre Dame sits as the last at-large team, with teams from the ACC, American, and Sun Belt outside the top 10.

James Madison made its playoff debut at No. 25. If they defeat Troy in the Sun Belt title game while Duke beats No. 17 Virginia, JMU could realistically earn a playoff berth, as the top five conference champions automatically qualify. JMU is favored by 23.5 points against Troy, while Duke enters as a 3.5-point underdog.

In the American Conference, Tulane (No. 20) hosts North Texas (No. 24) for the championship. The winner is likely to secure a playoff position ahead of James Madison or even the ACC champion.

Teams outside the top 10 such as No. 12 Miami, No. 13 Texas, No. 14 Vanderbilt, and No. 15 Utah are unlikely to make the playoff, as none play in a conference championship that could significantly boost their ranking. BYU, ranked No. 11, will clinch a playoff spot with a victory over Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game.

Teams like Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma are secure in the top 10 and will not play this weekend, leaving Alabama and Notre Dame on the bubble. Both schools will likely be rooting for BYU to lose, as a loss for Alabama to Georgia could place them outside the playoff, similar to how SMU dropped after last years ACC title game but still secured a spot.

Author: Jackson Miller