Conference championship weekend is all that stands between college football fans and bowl season -- and, of course, the College Football Playoff. That normally gives us a much clearer picture of who the Selection Committee believes is the Top 4 teams in the country. However, the 2023 season has actually given a historically little amount of clarity regarding that going into this final week.
However, we did get a big help in figuring out the Top 4 in the penultimate CFP rankings that were set to be revealed on Tuesday night with what happened in Rivalry Week. The most vital result was Michigan, for the third straight time, topping rival Ohio State in The Game. That had everyone expecting the Wolverines to jump up to No. 2, but left questions about how far the Buckeyes would fall.
Beyond that, though, other big questions were answered. The Washington Huskies survived in the Apple Cup to complete a perfect regular season, setting up a rematch with Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game with a College Football Playoff berth likely on the line. Meanwhile, Florida State survived their rivalry game in The Swamp in the first full game without Jordan Travis with a gritty win.
So what did the CFP Selection Committee see this weekend as they put together the Top 25 for the next-to-last College Football Playoff rankings? Let's take a look before we see what the college football media had to say about the latest CFP rankings.
College football rankings: Week 14 CFP Top 25
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Michigan Wolverines
- Washington Huskies
- Florida State Seminoles
- Oregon Ducks
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Texas Longhorns
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Missouri Tigers
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Oklahoma Sooners
- LSU Tigers
- Louisville Cardinals
- Arizona Wildcats
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Oklahoma State Cowboys
- NC State Wolfpack
- Oregon State Beavers
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Tulane Green Wave
- Clemson Tigers
- Liberty Flames
- Kansas State Wildcats
CFB media reacts to pre-conference championship CFP rankings
As expected, Louisville would still be a top-15 win for Noles if they win the ACC. https://t.co/JsP7IwWuF2
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 29, 2023
Penn State at No. 10 still in line for the last NY6 at-large berth, ahead of No. 11 Ole Miss.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 29, 2023
Not back in the Top 25: Utah. One of Oregon's best wins.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 29, 2023
You know, after FSU beat Clemson (and then the Tigers lost more) I told anyone who would listen that it would end up being a top-25 win in the final CFP rankings.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 29, 2023
Wow, Ohio State fell all the way to No. 6. I thought it would be 4 or 5.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 29, 2023
They're not going to move back up 2 spots without playing. They're done.
A reminder what winning your conference can do for you: In 2017, UGA jumped from No. 6 to No. 3 after winning SEC. In 2019, OU jumped from No. 6 to No. 4 after winning Big 12. So yes, Bama can move up w/ a win against UGA. Thanks, @PaulHembo
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 29, 2023
The G5 teams in the penultimate CFP Ranking are #22 Tulane and #24 Liberty. Might have expected to see SMU at the tail end, but this gives some hope for Liberty fans that they're into the NY6 with a win and an SMU win. Still a solid chance for 11-2 SMU to pass them though.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 29, 2023
Did a podcast with @Andy_Staples earlier today that will publish tonight and mentioned that the Ohio State gets in scenario is: Bama, Texas, FSU, Oregon all lose.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 29, 2023
Honestly, there weren't many surprises. However, the majority of the media was reacting to the placement of Ohio State within the Top 25. While it's unlikely, there is still a chaos scenario where the Buckeyes could have a case to make the Playoff. That's a big note that people will certainly have to keep an eye on over conference championship weekend.
Alas, we won't have the full picture figured out until we get to see these conference championship games play out. We haven't had full chaos in a week yet, but let's absolutely buckle in because it's coming in this final week before Selection Sunday.