CFP rankings: Oregon claims top spot in initial release

Oregon was selected as the No. 1 team in the initial release of the College Football Playoff rankings for the 2024 season.

The CFP will feature a 12-team playoff for the first time that replaces the four-team format used since 2014. The expanded playoff will culminate in the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20.

The committee will select a field comprised of the five conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams.

In the final edition of the rankings that will determine the playoff matchups, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded No. 1 through No. 4 and will earn first-round byes. If a team isn't a conference champion but is ranked among the top four, that team will be seeded No. 5. The fifth conference champion will be seeded where it is ranked or as the No. 12 seed if it falls outside the top 12.

Ohio State took the second spot in the rankings by leapfrogging Georgia. The Buckeyes remain in contention for the Big Ten title, as their lone loss so far was a one-point defeat to Oregon last month. Similarly, Georgia is looking to stay in the driver's seat in the SEC, as its only loss so far came in a thriller against Alabama.

While BYU remains undefeated in the Big 12, it finds itself five spots behind Miami. CFP committee chair Warde Manuel said the Hurricanes' "offensive prowess" explains the gap between the two undefeated teams, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

Manuel also credited Indiana (9-0) for its dominant victories and explosive offense but pointed to the Hoosiers' schedule to explain the No. 8 ranking.

Boise State is in prime position to earn a playoff berth as the Group of Five champion. The Broncos (7-1) sit first in the Mountain West Conference. Their only blemish is a three-point loss to Oregon in September.

Here's the rest of the top 25:

In a projected playoff bracket, Oregon, Georgia, Miami, and BYU would earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs as conference champions. Boise State would remain the No. 12 team in this scenario.

Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas, and Penn State would currently host first-round matchups on campus or at a designated site. Both the quarterfinals and semifinals will be at designated sites.

The next edition of the CFP rankings will take place on Nov. 12.