Indiana's win-loss record at the end of the regular season

Oregon Leads First 12-Team CFP Rankings; Texas No.5, Boise State at No.12

Nov 6, 2024, 12:19 AM

The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee released its first rankings of the 2024 season, marking the inaugural edition of the new 12-team playoff era. Oregon secured the top spot as the unanimous No. 1 team, strengthening its bid for a favorable position in the postseason. Ohio State followed at No. 2, with Georgia at No. 3 and Miami at No. 4, the latter praised for its "explosive offense" by CFP Selection Committee chair Warde Manuel. Texas climbed to No. 5 in the rankings after a bye week, positioning itself ahead of one-loss teams such as Penn State at No. 6, Tennessee at No. 9, and undefeated Indiana at No. 8. Indiana's rise continues as the Hoosiers achieved a 9-0 record for the first time in school history under coach Curt Cignetti, drawing attention for their dominant performances despite a perceived lack of schedule strength. Warde Manuel noted, "We think highly of Indiana," highlighting their dominant victories. Boise State entered the rankings at No. 12, ahead of SMU at No. 13, Texas A&M at No. 14, and LSU at No. 15. Boise State's positioning as the highest-ranked Group of Five team makes them a potential disruptor in the playoff picture. SMU received its highest ranking since 1985, reflecting an impressive first year in the ACC, and are the first team out in the current playoff projection. Alabama was ranked No. 11, the highest among two-loss teams, following recent victories over Georgia and Missouri. BYU appeared at No. 9, with discussions about their playoff chances ongoing. Other notable rankings include Washington State at No. 21, Colorado at No. 20, Louisville at No. 22, Clemson at No. 23, and Army at No. 25. The rankings set up potential first-round matchups, with projections including Ohio State hosting Boise State, Texas hosting Alabama, Penn State hosting Notre Dame, and Tennessee hosting Indiana. CFP Selection Committee chair Warde Manuel discussed the committee's decisions, citing factors such as strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and overall team performance. The committee emphasized that past seasons and conference affiliations did not influence the rankings.