The Ohio State University Buckeyes remain the top team in the nation, followed closely by the Indiana University Bloomington Hoosiers and the Texas A&M University Aggies, after the College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its sixth and final regular-season rankings on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The big story? The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish still sit at No. 9 — despite losing to the University of Miami Hurricanes in the season opener — while Miami, who beat Notre Dame 27-24 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, is ranked No. 13. It’s not just a minor snub. It’s a firestorm.
Why Notre Dame Stays Above Miami
The math doesn’t add up on the surface. Both teams are 8-2. Both are 4-2 in the ACC. Both lost close games. But here’s the twist: Notre Dame’s two losses came against ranked opponents — Miami and Texas A&M — while Miami’s defeats came against unranked Louisville and SMU. The selection committee, in its 1,200-word explanation released alongside the rankings, emphasized "quality of loss" over margin of victory. "We’re not rewarding teams for losing to bad teams," said committee chair Dr. Linda Tran, a former NCAA administrator. "It’s about who you play, and how you respond."
For Miami’s athletic director, Michael Soto, the decision feels personal. "We beat them. We beat them on their home field. We’ve won five straight since then. And now we’re ranked lower than the team we beat? That’s not how sports work," he told ESPN. The Atlantic Coast Conference issued a rare public statement calling the ranking "inconsistent with competitive fairness." Meanwhile, Notre Dame fans are breathing easy — for now.
Alabama’s Stunning Slide and Georgia’s Surge
The biggest fall came from the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. After a 23-21 loss to the University of Oklahoma Sooners on November 16 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama tumbled six spots to No. 10. That’s right — Oklahoma, who had been unranked the week before, climbed to No. 8. Alabama had four wins over top-25 teams. Notre Dame had one. It didn’t matter. The committee values momentum over resume padding.
Meanwhile, the University of Georgia Bulldogs surged to No. 4 after crushing Texas 35-10 in Athens. Their win over Alabama in September now looks even more impressive. Georgia has won five of its last six, including a 41-point rout of Tennessee. "We’re playing with a sense of urgency," said quarterback Carson Beck. "Every snap feels like a playoff game."
The New Top Four — And the Long Shot
Based on current rankings, the playoff field would be: Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Georgia. Indiana, in particular, has been a revelation. After losing to Michigan on October 5, the Hoosiers have won six straight, including road wins over Penn State and Wisconsin. "They’re rolling," said analyst Chris Spielman on CBS. "Their offensive line is the best in the Big Ten. Their quarterback? He’s playing like a Heisman frontrunner."
But the real wild card is Tulane University Green Wave. Ranked No. 24, they’re the highest-ranked Group of Five team. If they beat Houston Cougars in the American Athletic Conference Championship on December 6 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, they’d become the first non-Power Five team to make the expanded 12-team playoff. It’s a long shot — but not impossible. The committee has signaled openness to a G5 team if they’re undefeated or have one loss to a top-10 opponent. Tulane’s only loss? To No. 14 Cincinnati — who’s now unranked.
What’s Next? The Final Week and the Big Picture
The final week of the regular season is set for November 29–30. Ohio State faces Michigan in Ann Arbor — a game that could decide the Big Ten’s automatic bid. Indiana plays Purdue, a team they’ve beaten by 28 points in each of the last two years. Texas A&M takes on LSU — a team they’ve beaten twice in the last three years. And Georgia? They’ll rest up. Their schedule is done.
Meanwhile, the College Football Playoff Semifinals are locked in: the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, both on January 8 and 9, 2026. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens — the same place where Miami stunned Notre Dame back in September.
Why This Matters Beyond the Rankings
This isn’t just about who makes the playoff. It’s about what the committee values. Are wins against ranked teams more important than head-to-head results? Should a team be punished for losing to a top-10 opponent? Or rewarded for beating one? The Notre Dame-Miami gap has reignited a debate that’s been simmering since the playoff began in 2014: Is the system fair, or just arbitrary?
Some say the committee is protecting tradition. Others say it’s ignoring the facts. The truth? College football doesn’t have a perfect system. But it does have a very loud fanbase — and Miami’s players, coaches, and alumni are now louder than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Notre Dame ranked higher than Miami even though Miami beat them?
The selection committee prioritizes the quality of losses over head-to-head results when teams have identical records. Notre Dame lost to two ranked opponents (Miami and Texas A&M), while Miami lost to two unranked teams (Louisville and SMU). Even though Miami won the direct matchup, the committee values strength of schedule and context over one early-season result.
Can Tulane make the College Football Playoff?
Yes — but only if they win the American Athletic Conference Championship on December 6, 2025, against Houston. As the highest-ranked Group of Five team at No. 24, Tulane would become eligible for the expanded 12-team playoff. They’d still need to be ranked in the top 12 after the conference title game, which is likely given their current trajectory and the lack of other strong G5 contenders.
What impact does Alabama’s drop to No. 10 have on the playoff race?
It opens the door for Georgia, Texas Tech, and Mississippi to climb higher, while eliminating Alabama from contention. Despite having four wins over top-25 teams, Alabama’s late-season losses to Oklahoma and Georgia, combined with a weak non-conference schedule, made their resume look outdated compared to teams with stronger finishes.
Who are the top contenders for the national championship right now?
Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Georgia are the clear favorites based on current rankings. Ohio State has the toughest schedule and a dominant offense. Indiana is peaking at the right time. Texas A&M has shown resilience, and Georgia’s defense is the most consistent in the country. Any of them could win it all — especially if they avoid upsets in the semifinals.
When and where are the playoff games being played?
The semifinals will be held on January 8, 2026, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, and January 9, 2026, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The national championship game is set for January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida — the same venue where the Miami Hurricanes opened their season with a win over Notre Dame.
What does this mean for the future of the selection committee?
The Notre Dame-Miami controversy has intensified calls for transparency and algorithmic input. Some experts are urging the committee to adopt weighted metrics — like strength of schedule, margin of victory, and win probability — to reduce subjectivity. Others warn that human judgment is essential to account for intangibles like momentum and team culture. The debate is far from over.
