The top five teams remain unchanged, but there's plenty of football to be played before anyone can safely hit the internet for the best deal on a plane fare and book a hotel.
In the second College Football Playoff Committee rankings Oregon climbed one spot to No. 8 after BYU lost at Texas Tech, the Cougars dropping all the way to No. 12 and needing help to make the field.
Though nothing is decided, ranking spots 11 and 12 are the most vulnerable. A team that falls there lies in danger of being bumped by the highest-ranked Group of Five team (currently 7-2 South Florida at No. 24) and the ACC Champion, projected by the committee to No. 15 Miami.
If the playoff bracket were being finalized today rather than December 7, Oregon would host No. 9 Notre Dame in the first round, with the winner advancing to meet No. 1 Ohio State in the quarterfinals.
Here's what the College Football Playoff bracket would look if the season ended today 👀
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 12, 2025
Who would win it all in this field? pic.twitter.com/HiQQ3TMHtU
Eight is a good spot to be in but five and six are better-- fifth-seed Georgia is in line to host last-in South Florida, No. 6 Texas Tech projects to face the winner of the ACC survivor pool.
The race for the playoffs remains tight. Currently there are three undefeated teams, Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M. Oregon is the lowest-ranked of five one-loss teams, owing to their strength of schedule: They've met two ranked teams this season, but both Penn State and Iowa have since fallen out of the rankings.
Notre Dame, Texas and Oklahoma are hanging on to playoff life at 7-2.
UPDATED CFB Playoff Rankings
— College Football Report (@CFBReport) November 12, 2025
[Graphic Via @On3sports]
Thoughts? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rVaYnXhL8v
After Friday's home game against Minnesota the Ducks have eight days to prepare for a playoff-elimination showdown with No. 17, 7-2 USC. The Trojans lead the nation in yards per play offense at 7.61, rushing for 200 yards a game and passing for 303 yards a game.
That's the Ducks' sternest test of the season until the playoffs, but they can't take their eyes off the Golden Gophers, who come to Autzen Friday after 14 days to prepare with the Ducks coming off a short week.
The rankings are like a six-month-old baby in need of clean diaper and a bottle. They don't care how tired you are.