4 Takeaways From the Third CFP Rankings Release of 2025

The latest College Football Playoff rankings are out, and chaos is the new order.

From Notre Dame and Miami, to Alabama and Oklahoma, these rankings are full of storylines, surprises, and "wait, what?" moments. 

Buckle up. Here are my takeaways from the third reveal of the College Football Playoff Rankings.

1. What exactly is going on in the CFP committee boardroom?

In a sport where so many are quick to say some games no longer matter, Miami's win over Notre Dame was supposed to act as a definitive point for ranking one in front of the other. And since I’ve had to school you on this before, let’s be clear: head-to-head is the simplest criteria. It’s where one team beats another team, and therefore is declared the better team.

I wish I did not have to act like a grade school principal here, but this is what you’re going to get when Arkansas athletic director and CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek says this:

"When you look at Miami and Notre Dame and you really compare the losses of those two teams — Miami has lost to two unranked teams. Notre Dame has lost to two teams that are ranked and are top 13. And we really haven’t compared those two teams. They haven’t been in similar comparable pools to date. But Miami is creeping up into that range where they will be compared to Notre Dame if something happens above them."

Holy smokes, kiddos! We don’t compare two teams separated by just four spots, each with two losses and basically the same conference schedule? Have we forgotten we actually play to win games?

2. Texas A&M is properly ranked, but can the Aggies handle the big stage?

What I question is the Aggies’ poise under pressure against teams better than the Gamecocks, even if the selection committee seems unfazed.

There are