Ohio State Tops First College Football Playoff Rankings, Indiana and Texas A&M Follow
The College Football Playoff selection committee unveiled its initial rankings on Tuesday, with undefeated Ohio State claiming the top spot. The Buckeyes are followed by fellow unbeaten Indiana at No. 2 and Texas A&M at No. 3, while Alabama rounds out the top four. The SEC leads all conferences with nine teams in the Top 25, while the Big Ten placed seven teams in the rankings. The new 12-team format features straight seeding with the top four teams receiving first-round byes.
The College Football Playoff selection committee released its first rankings of the 2025 season on Tuesday night, providing the initial glimpse into how the expanded 12-team field might shape up. The unveiling on ESPN revealed Ohio State as the surprise No. 1 team, followed by Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama in the top four positions that would secure first-round byes under the new format.
Top Four Teams and First-Round Bye Implications
Ohio State's placement at the top of the initial rankings marks a significant achievement for coach Ryan Day and his undefeated Buckeyes. According to the ESPN report, the Buckeyes are followed by Big Ten rival Indiana at No. 2, creating an intriguing conference dynamic. Texas A&M secured the third position, while Alabama landed at No. 4, giving the SEC two teams in the coveted bye positions.
Conference Distribution and Playoff Structure
The SEC demonstrated its depth with nine teams ranked in the Top 25, the most of any conference. The Big Ten followed with seven teams, while the ACC placed five teams and the Big 12 had three representatives. Memphis earned the designation as the top Group of 5 team, positioning them for potential playoff inclusion. The committee is using a straight seeding model this year, with the top four teams regardless of conference championship receiving first-round byes.
Notable Rankings and Controversies
Notre Dame's placement at No. 10 despite two losses raised eyebrows, as the Irish find themselves in playoff position for the second consecutive season. Miami's ranking at No. 18, eight spots below Notre Dame despite having the same number of losses and a head-to-head victory over the Irish, created immediate debate. Texas secured the No. 11 position ahead of Oklahoma at No. 12, with the head-to-head victory serving as the tiebreaker between the two 7-2 teams.
Playoff Schedule and Championship Timeline
The final CFP rankings will be announced on December 7, following conference championship games. The four first-round matchups will be played at campus sites on December 19-20, with quarterfinal games scheduled for December 31 and January 1 at major bowl venues. The semifinals will take place on January 8-9, leading to the CFP National Championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
