College Football Playoff Rankings: Oregon Rises, Miami Holds Steady

The latest College Football Playoff rankings have seen significant movements as teams prepare for the final weeks of the regular season. Oregon has made a notable rise, moving up to No. 6 after their impressive 42-27 victory over then-No. 15 Southern California. This win allowed the Ducks, now 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten, to flip spots with Ole Miss, which fell to No. 7 after their bye week. According to the College Football Playoff selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek, Oregon's strong performance against USC showcased their capabilities, particularly emphasizing their offensive, defensive, and special teams play. The Ducks have consistently appeared in the CFP top 10, marking their 15th consecutive week in that range and their 28th consecutive week in the top 25 overall, dating back to 2020.

Meanwhile, the University of Miami Hurricanes have held steady at No. 12 in the rankings following their 34-17 victory against Virginia Tech. This win marked another step forward for Miami, which has now climbed from No. 18 to No. 12 over the past few weeks. Despite their current ranking, Miami finds itself in a precarious position as they are on the outside looking into the ACC Championship Game, needing to win against Pittsburgh and hoping for favorable outcomes in other conference games. The Hurricanes currently sit at 9-2 with a 5-2 record in the ACC, and their playoff hopes hinge on both winning their upcoming game and receiving help from other teams.

The rankings are particularly consequential with the new 12-team playoff format, introduced in the previous season. This year, the top five ranked conference champions automatically qualify for the playoff, while the next seven highest-ranked teams are granted at-large bids. As it stands, Miami is positioned to enter the playoff field as the highest-ranked team from the ACC, pending the results of their remaining games. If the season ended today, Miami would face Oregon in a first-round matchup, which adds an intriguing storyline given that Miami head coach Mario Cristobal previously led the Ducks.

Oregon's lone defeat this season came against Indiana, who currently stands at No. 2 in the rankings. The top five teams remain unchanged, with Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Texas Tech leading the pack. The full rankings reveal a competitive field, with notable teams such as Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Alabama also in the mix for playoff spots. With rivalry week approaching, the stakes are extremely high as teams aim to solidify their playoff positions and make their case for a shot at the national title. The final rankings will be revealed on December 8, following the conference championships, adding further tension to the final regular season games.