Now 10 weeks into the 2024 college football season, teams across the country have built up the base of their resume to be considered for a postseason spot. For the those with outstanding records, that means a place inside the College Football Playoff Top 25 and a path toward the 12-team CFP bracket.
In the first year of the new format, the four conference champions from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC will receive the top-four seeds, granting them a bye to the Quarterfinals hosted at one of the New Years Six bowl venues. The remaining eight bids will be filled by seven at-large qualifiers and the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion.
For those reasons, the College Football Playoff Top 25 is not necessarily reflective of the final bracket.
Through 10 weeks of data, here is how the selection committee ranked the Top 25 teams with a chance to earn their spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
1. Oregon (Big Ten)
The Ducks are one of five unbeaten teams remaining, and have faced the hardest schedule of that group with wins over Ohio State and Boise State so far. Dan Lanning’s group has a clear path into the Big Ten title game and a potential No. 1 overall seed.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Maryland, at Wisconsin, vs. Washington
2. Ohio State
After coming into the season among the top Big Ten contenders, Ohio State suffered a loss on the road against Oregon, but rebounded with a road win against Penn State to remain alive in the hunt for the Big Ten championship and a first-round bye.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Purdue, at Northwestern, vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan
3. Georgia (SEC)
The Bulldogs sit atop the SEC standings and rank highest in the conference so far, with their lone loss coming on the road vs. Alabama. Kirby Smart and his team rebounded well and now boast a win over Texas on the resume.
Upcoming schedule: at Ole Miss, vs. Tennessee, vs. UMass, vs. Georgia Tech
4. Miami (ACC)
Miami enters November undefeated and has a clear path to the ACC championship game where they can compete for the first-round bye. The schedule falls well for the Hurricanes the rest of the way as they look to solidify their playoff spot.
Upcoming schedule: at Georgia Tech, vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse
5. Texas
After taking a loss to Georgia, Texas still has a path to the SEC championship thanks to a road win against Vanderbilt. Regardless of their spot a conference title game, the Longhorns have key games for their CFP resume late.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Florida, at Arkansas, vs. Kentucky, at Texas A&M
6. Penn State
After starting the season 7-0, Penn State lost a home game against Ohio State which could have provided the inside path for a Big Ten title game appearance. Regardless, the remainder of the schedule falls well for James Franklin’s team seeking their first CFP appearance.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Washington, at Purdue, at Minnesota, vs. Maryland
7. Tennessee
After escaping multiple SEC games with wins, including a rivalry win over Alabama, the Volunteers have overcome the road loss to Arkansas and asserted themselves back in the SEC conversation. A road game against Georgia will definitely determine their opportunity to win the conference.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mississippi State, at Georgia, vs. UTEP, at Vanderbilt
8. Indiana
The surprise story of college football, first-year coach Curt Cignetti has delivered on his promise to win at Indiana by entering the final month undefeated. The Hoosiers sit atop the Big Ten standings alongside Oregon while controlling their own destiny in a game at Ohio State.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Michigan, at Ohio State, vs. Purdue
9. BYU (Big 12)
The top team in the Big 12, BYU has remained unbeaten so far. The Cougars already have a win over Kansas State, and hold a one-game lead over Iowa State and Colorado for a spot in the conference title game.
Upcoming schedule: at Utah, vs. Kansas, at Arizona State, vs. Houston
10. Notre Dame
Despite suffering an early loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame has capitalized on opportunities to remain a CFP contender by knocking off Texas A&M, Louisville and Navy. Marcus Freeman’s squad will have the chance to run the slate and claim one of the at-large spots.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Florida State, vs. Virginia, vs. Army, at USC
11. Alabama
In the first year under Kalen DeBoer, Alabama already has two losses against Vanderbilt and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide sits on the bubble entering the final month of the season with a de-facto elimination game upcoming with LSU.
Upcoming schedule: at LSU, vs. Mercer, at Oklahoma, vs. Auburn
12. Boise State (G5)
With their only loss coming against Oregon, Boise State is the top-ranked Group of Five school and boasts a Heisman contender in Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos will have to close out the season strong to hold off other contenders for the one guaranteed spot in the CFP.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Nevada, at Sam Jose State, at Wyoming, vs. Oregon State
CFP Top 25 Rankings
13. SMU
14. Texas A&M
15. LSU
16. Ole Miss
17. Iowa State
18. Pittsburgh
19. Kansas State
20. Colorado
21. Washington State
22. Louisville
23. Clemson
24. Missouri
25. Army
