The final College Football Playoff rankings before championship weekend delivered a seismic shift. Texas Tech crashed into the top four for the first time ever. The Red Raiders’ stunning rise headlined a night of major movement and historic firsts.
The CFP selection committee unveiled its penultimate top 25 on December 2. Texas A&M tumbled after a rivalry loss. Meanwhile, James Madison earned its first-ever ranking, cracking the list at No. 25.
Red Raiders Rewarded With First-Round Bye
Texas Tech leaped into the coveted No. 4 spot. This gives them an automatic first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoff. The 11-1 Red Raiders were rewarded for a decisive 29-7 win over BYU to end the regular season.
Coach Joey McGuire agreed to a contract extension the same day. The move signals faith in the program’s new trajectory. According to CBS Sports, the committee was impressed by Tech’s strong finish and overall resume.
This is a landmark achievement for Texas Tech football. The program had never been ranked this high in the CFP era. They now control their destiny heading into the Big 12 title game.
Aggies’ Fall and Dukes’ Historic Rise
Texas A&M suffered the night’s biggest drop. The Aggies fell from No. 5 to No. 7 after losing to rival Texas. That loss cost them a first-round bye but they remain in the playoff field.
James Madison made history as the highest-ranked Group of Five team. The 11-1 Dukes debuted at No. 25. Their ranking keeps alive a unlikely path to a playoff spot.
JMU needs specific championship week results to potentially grab the 12th seed. Their inclusion highlights the committee’s respect for their impressive season.
Championship Week Will Decide Final Picture
The top of the rankings held firm. Ohio State stayed at No. 1 followed by Indiana and Georgia. All three have secured first-round byes regardless of their conference title games.
The final playoff field and seeding will be set on December 7. Conference championship results will determine the last at-large bids. Several teams are still fighting for a spot.
The new 12-team format has created unprecedented drama. More programs have meaningful games in late November and December. This has increased national interest significantly.
The Texas Tech CFP ranking breakthrough symbolizes the new playoff era’s unpredictability. Championship weekend will now decide who joins them in the historic field.
A quick knowledge drop for you
What does Texas Tech’s No. 4 ranking mean?
It means Texas Tech gets an automatic first-round bye in the playoff. They will host a quarterfinal game if they win the Big 12 Championship. This is the best seeding in program history.
Can James Madison make the playoff?
Yes, but it requires a very specific scenario. JMU must win the Sun Belt title and need Duke to win the ACC Championship. This could open the 12th seed for the Dukes.
Why did Texas A&M fall so far?
The Aggies dropped because of their loss to unranked Texas. The committee viewed their overall resume as weaker than the teams above them. Their strength of schedule worked against them.
Who are the current top four teams?
The top four are Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, and Texas Tech. These teams have all secured first-round byes. They will not play in the first weekend of the playoff.
When is the final playoff selection?
The final CFP rankings and full 12-team bracket will be revealed on Sunday, December 7. The show starts at noon Eastern Time. It will follow all conference championship games.
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