Boise State secured the fourth and final bye in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, leaving BYU on the outside looking in. This development has sparked discussions about the power conferences, with the Big 12 now sharing a grievance with the SEC.
The undefeated Oregon claimed the top spot once again, solidifying their position in the conference title game. Ohio State maintained its second-place ranking, with Texas from the SEC closely behind. Miami from the ACC, ranked eighth, secured the third seed and a bye reserved for the top four conference leaders. Boise State, despite being ranked 12th, clinched the fourth and final bye.
BYU, ranked 14th, managed to secure the last spot in the 12-team bracket as the fifth-best conference leader, displacing Tennessee from the lineup. The upcoming weeks will see three more rounds of rankings, leading up to the final bracket reveal on December 8 for the inaugural 12-team playoff.
Boise State's ascent to the bye position was somewhat anticipated following BYU's first loss of the season, which caused them to plummet eight spots in the rankings. This outcome has left some Big 12 supporters disappointed, as they argue that their teams boast a tougher strength of schedule compared to the Mountain West-based Broncos.
The SEC, known for its vocal proponents, was notably displeased last week when Georgia was excluded after a significant defeat to Mississippi. However, the Bulldogs have now reclaimed the 10th spot, with Alabama at No. 7 and Ole Miss at No. 9. Despite having two losses each, these teams, along with Tennessee, are praised for their challenging schedules.
Other notable rankings include Penn State at No. 4, Indiana at No. 5, and Notre Dame at No. 6.
Stay updated with poll alerts and the latest AP Top 25 news throughout the season by signing up at AP college football: AP Top 25 College Football Poll and College Football.
