The second release of the College Football Playoff Rankings brought fewer surprises at the top but plenty of movement deeper in the field. With most of the top contenders holding serve, attention turned to who might sneak into position just behind them and which programs took costly hits to their playoff dreams.
Would Texas A&M overtake Indiana for the No. 2 spot after Indiana’s narrow win at Penn State? How far would Texas Tech climb after its statement victory over BYU? And would a Group of 5 team finally break through into the Top 12?
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest winners and losers from the CFP’s second rankings.
Winners
USF Bulls
The South Florida Bulls cracked the Top 12 for the playoff bracket, securing the coveted Group of 5 spot in this week’s CFP rankings. It’s a massive milestone for a program that’s quietly been one of the most consistent in the country.
At No. 12 in the College Football Playoff bracket, USF controls its own destiny. With a lighter schedule ahead, their toughest remaining matchup coming against Navy, the Bulls simply need to keep winning and secure their conference title.
Easier said than done, given the wild nature of the AAC conference throughout 2025. The eye test and résumé both support their case as the top Group of 5 team this season. If they handle business, they’ll be playing postseason football on the biggest stage.
USC Trojans and Michigan Wolverines
The mid-tier of the Big Ten came out looking strong, particularly USC and Michigan, who sit at Nos. 17 and 18. Both programs now offer realistic paths to advancement with meaningful opportunities ahead.
USC will face both Iowa and Oregon, with two of its final three games at home, a major advantage as it aims to bolster its playoff résumé. Michigan, meanwhile, has a clear path as well: win out. Two of the Wolverines’ final three regular-season matchups are winnable before the season-ending showdown with Ohio State.
If Michigan beats the Buckeyes, likely handing them their first loss, the Wolverines would not only own the Big Ten tiebreaker but also a near-certain playoff bid.
Miami Hurricanes
After a confusing first ranking, the Miami Hurricanes corrected course this week, jumping three spots to No. 15, now the highest-ranked ACC team. The Hurricanes’ rise comes after some bounce-back showings and some course correction by the committee, which may have been overly harsh on Miami’s earlier close losses.
Still, the ACC remains a puzzle. With Louisville and Virginia both dropping games, Miami is suddenly in control, kind of. The Hurricanes need to avoid their trademark late-season fade under Mario Cristobal, but for now, they’ve got momentum and the committee’s trust on their side.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
What a statement from Texas Tech. The Red Raiders dominated BYU, vaulting themselves back into the Big 12 championship conversation and climbing up the rankings in the process.
Texas Tech’s lone loss came to Arizona State, when the Sun Devils still had star QB Sam Leavitt and WR Jordan Tyson healthy, with their backup QB playing in that game. Since then, Tech has appeared to be one of the most balanced teams in the nation. Some analysts even argued they should have landed at No. 5 instead of No. 6, ahead of Georgia.
The only concern? Quarterback Behren Morton’s health. If he can stay on the field, Texas Tech looks like a legitimate playoff threat.
Losers
BYU Cougars
After last week’s loss to Texas Tech, BYU took one of the biggest tumbles in the rankings, dropping five spots and falling out of playoff contention, for now. The Cougars’ physicality and defense had carried them through much of the season, but Texas Tech simply looked sharper, stronger, and more complete. The loss wasn’t just about the scoreboard; it was about the eye test, and the committee clearly took notice.
Still, BYU isn’t out of the race entirely. With several Big 12 games left, a strong finish could push them back into at-large contention and still have a chance at the Big 12 Title.
ACC Chaos: Louisville and Virginia
The ACC was the big loser this week. Louisville and Virginia, both previously near the top of the conference, suffered significant losses after tough defeats.
Now, the conference looks more muddled than ever. With four teams still technically alive and no clear leader, the ACC could easily become a one-bid league for the playoff. Momentum has swung against its top teams, and unless someone makes a dominant run, the league’s national perception won’t improve anytime soon.
Top of the SEC vs. Top of the Big Ten Debate
Many fans expected Texas A&M to jump Indiana for the No. 2 spot after A&M’s recent surge and Indiana’s narrow escape against Penn State. But once again, the Big Ten held firm.
Indiana stayed at No. 2, with the committee valuing its unbeaten record and resilience in a tough road environment. Texas A&M and Alabama continue to look strong, but the CFP once again leaned Big Ten at the top, a trend that’s only fueling the “Big Ten vs. SEC” debate even further.
For now, the status quo remains, and unless something significant happens between now and Championship Weekend, the top two likely won’t change.
READ MORE: Heisman Trophy Rankings: 5 Players Who Strengthened Their Resume in Week 11
Final Thoughts
The second CFP rankings didn’t bring chaos, but they did bring clarity. USF and Texas Tech are surging, the ACC is reeling, and the Big Ten continues to hold court over the SEC.
There’s still plenty of football left, but the committee’s message this week is clear: résumé, balance, and resilience matter, and style points count, too. As November rolls on, expect the separation between contenders and pretenders to grow sharper every week.