The first release of the College Football Playoff Rankings is always a moment of chaos, with excitement for some and frustration for others. With the playoff field still weeks from being decided, the committee’s first impression gives fans and analysts alike a glimpse of how résumés are being valued. Some teams (and conferences) came out as winners and losers from the initial release. Here’s a breakdown from the debut rankings of Week 11.
Winners
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Coming into the season with two early losses, many assumed Notre Dame’s playoff hopes were done. But by the time the first CFP rankings dropped, the Irish cracked the Top 10, a significant win. With a manageable schedule ahead and no conference title hurdle, the Irish are sitting in a far better position than expected.
Say what you want about the CFP playing the brand and logo game here with Notre Dame, but they belong in the position they’re in. Getting hot at the right time and having “good” losses, if there is such a thing, to Miami and Texas A&M. This initial ranking shows that if they win out, they’ll be in with those two losses still.
Utah Utes (and the rest of the Big 12)
The Big 12 emerged as one of the big winners in the first rankings. With multiple teams in striking distance of the playoff field, including Utah and BYU, the conference proved it’s capable of competing with the SEC and Big Ten for playoff positioning. Utah’s early ranking validates its consistency and physical brand of football.
Utah’s ranking of 13 was a huge shock, but for the better. The Big 12 is finally gaining respect after years of not receiving the same attention as other top leagues. The Big 12 is setting up for the possibility of getting two teams in this year, which would go a long way in the right trajectory for the conference as a whole.
USC Trojans
While 19th may not sound elite, USC’s placement ahead of several one-loss Power 5 teams signals the committee’s belief in their potential. With star power at quarterback and a favorable schedule ahead, the Trojans remain a dangerous team capable of climbing quickly.
That ranking suggests they have a chance at the CFP if they win out and run the table. They have a favorable rest of the way, being at home for three out of their last four games, and the lone game on the road is on the West Coast.
Texas Longhorns
Texas fans have every reason to feel good about the committee’s first rankings. The Longhorns sit at No. 11, one spot ahead of rival Oklahoma, probably because they won the head-to-head in the Red River Rivalry showdown.
The committee appears to be buying the stock at the right time, capitalizing on Texas’s hot streak. Their offense has clicked in recent weeks, their defense is improving, and their only loss, a close one to Ohio State in Week 1, is aging well as the Buckeyes continue to rise.
It’s also a sign that the committee values momentum and trajectory as much as record. If Texas keeps trending upward, its current standing might just be the start of a strong late-season climb.
Losers
ACC Teams: Virginia Cavaliers, Louisville Cardinals & Miami Hurricanes
The ACC had some work to do, and these two programs highlight that struggle. Virginia landed at No. 14, Louisville at 15, Georgia Tech at 17 and Miami at No. 18. All these teams are far from a lock at a playoff position.
The committee’s skepticism toward the ACC’s overall strength hurts both teams, leaving little margin for error. Unless one runs the table convincingly, their playoff hopes are fading fast. The path seems likely for the ACC to be a one-bid league this year, with the winner of their conference likely being the only representative, given the cannibalization that occurs from teams beating each other throughout the season.
Beyond individual teams, the ACC looks vulnerable. With its top programs lagging behind those of the Big Ten and SEC, it risks becoming a one-bid league. That perception could hurt bubble teams even more in the weeks ahead.
Oklahoma Sooners
For Oklahoma, the initial rankings sting a bit. The Sooners sit at No. 12, just behind Texas, which was the very team they lost to, but arguably has the better résumé.
Many fans and analysts believe the Sooners deserve to be ahead. They’ve posted quality wins over Michigan, South Carolina and Tennessee, showing consistency even amid adversity. However, the committee seems to be docking them for inconsistency on offense following their star quarterback’s midseason injury.
He’s gradually returning to form, but Oklahoma’s offensive rhythm hasn’t fully recovered, and it’s showing in how the committee views them. The message is clear: to reclaim their place among the elite, the Sooners need dominant performances down the stretch and a healthy quarterback leading the charge. They’ll have no shortage of opportunities to prove themselves.
Group of 5: North Texas Mean Green, Memphis Tigers, James Madison & South Florida Bulls
One of the biggest disappointments from the rankings was that no Group of 5 school cracked the Top 12 or came close to doing so. North Texas, James Madison, Memphis, and USF have all posted solid seasons, yet the committee remains unimpressed by their strength of schedule. These programs are learning the hard way that just winning isn’t enough, and marquee victories against Power 5 competition are now a prerequisite for success.
For these teams, the first CFP rankings were a reality check: even excellence within your own league doesn’t guarantee recognition from the playoff committee. One team must ensure that, given the uncertainty of the rest of the season, watching it unfold will be an interesting storyline.
Final Thoughts
The first College Football Playoff rankings always set the tone for November, and this year’s debut did not disappoint. From Notre Dame’s resurgence and the Big 12’s validation to the ACC’s decline and the Group of 5’s frustration, the committee’s early message is clear: résumé, reputation, and recent momentum still carry significant weight.
There’s plenty of football left to be played, and history shows these initial rankings are only a starting point. Chaos is inevitable, contenders will rise and fall, and new narratives will emerge before December arrives. For now, teams on the outside looking in know exactly what the committee values and what it will take to move up.
If Week 11’s debut taught us anything, it’s that the path to the playoffs remains as unpredictable as ever and every snap from here on out will shape who survives the chaos and who’s left watching from home.
