There are still many games to be played, but let’s dive into the first College Football Playoff rankings of the new 12-team postseason era and examine the teams that may feel slighted.

The anticipation for the initial ranking release has been building, particularly with the knowledge that the top four spots won’t simply go to the highest-ranked teams. Also, being in the top 12 doesn’t guarantee a spot in the playoffs.

While there are still numerous games that could influence the playoff landscape, this first ranking gives a framework for the path teams must take to secure one of the 12 sought-after playoff positions. So, who has felt the sting of being overlooked as we approach the season’s conclusion?

Indiana

Indiana has been one of the standout stories this season, yet its ranking at No. 8 is still seen as a snub. Last season, the committee demonstrated that the eye test can be crucial, favoring Alabama over Florida State. Why not extend the same consideration to the Hoosiers?

Indiana has won every game by at least ten points, only facing a 10-0 deficit for the first time against Michigan State before bouncing back with a staggering 47 points in reply. Despite this dominance, their ranking seems hampered by their schedule. Their standout victory came against Washington, but they lack wins against other ranked teams. Nevertheless, top teams like Texas and Penn State also do not have wins against currently ranked opponents.

It appears that the reputation is overshadowing their on-field performance. The Hoosiers’ game against Ohio State now takes on added significance as they aim for a strong showing to avoid being sidelined come playoff selection.

Brigham Young

For BYU, winning the Big 12 will secure a first-round bye, meaning the specific ranking isn’t crucial for them—unless they lose a game.

Ranked at No. 9, the Cougars trail behind teams like Texas and Penn State, neither of which boasts strong victories. In contrast, BYU has wins over ranked teams such as No. 13 Southern Methodist and No. 19 Kansas State—with the latter being a decisive win. While both Texas and Penn State have lost to highly regarded teams, BYU stays undefeated and holds more ranked victories than Miami.

This relatively low ranking implies that a loss could see BYU plummet out of the top 12, necessitating a conference title win to remain in contention.

Boise State

Boise State is undeniably the top Group of Five team in the nation and is understandably in the playoff conversation, but there’s an argument for placing them higher.

The Broncos’ only defeat was a narrow loss to Oregon on the road, a match they were close to winning. As Oregon continues to shine as one of the top teams nationwide, Boise State’s performance is gaining recognition. Other than that loss, they’ve displayed dominance, with standout Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty leading the team. Their closest game was against UNLV, another Group of Five school vying for a playoff spot. Boise State’s loss, when compared to Notre Dame’s two losses, doesn’t justify their placement two spots below the Broncos.

Currently, they lack many impressive victories. However, they stand a good chance of being the highest-ranked Group of Five team if they encounter another loss, and the committee should take a closer look at their Oregon defeat instead of penalizing them heavily.

Southern Methodist

Southern Methodist University has been performing excellently in its inaugural season in the ACC, yet remains just outside the playoff field.

SMU’s achievements are comparable to those of Notre Dame. The Mustangs have two notable wins against ranked teams, Pittsburgh and Louisville, which are also victories for Notre Dame. However, SMU’s only loss was a narrow defeat to BYU, whereas Notre Dame lost to a struggling Northern Illinois team that languishes near the bottom of the MAC. Therefore, there’s no justification for Notre Dame being ranked higher than SMU, who must now strive to secure a playoff spot.

Army

Despite Army having not trailed in any game this season, it’s ranked lower than many teams in the top 25.

The Black Knights have secured convincing wins across the board. Nonetheless, their placement at the bottom of the rankings overlooks their undefeated status. While they may lack significant victories, they are one of only five undefeated teams left, yet do not seem to be receiving adequate recognition compared to teams with worse records.

Army still faces a matchup against Notre Dame, which will heavily influence their chances for a playoff position. However, even a win in that game might not be sufficient for the Black Knights to break into playoff contention.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt, the surprise team in the SEC, is another contender that should have belonged in the top 25.

As the season wraps up, one unforgettable moment stands out: Vanderbilt’s stunning victory over Alabama, which was no mere fluke. However, their loss to Georgia State seems to overshadow this significant win. The Commodores also faced narrow defeats against ranked teams Missouri and Texas, but Missouri’s higher ranking is partly due to their win over Vanderbilt. So, shouldn’t Vanderbilt receive recognition in the rankings?

While Vanderbilt’s chances of making the playoffs may be slim, they have shown themselves to be a capable team that deserves to be ranked at this stage of the season.

When will the next College Football Playoff rankings be released?

The upcoming rankings will be announced next Tuesday, November 12.