The top five remained unchanged in the third College Football Playoff rankings released this season, while Boise State climbed into the top 12, giving the Broncos a bye in the format.
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 11-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 9-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Texas | 9-1 | 3 |
| 4 | Penn State | 9-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Indiana | 10-0 | 5 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 9-1 | 8 |
| 7 | Alabama | 8-2 | 10 |
| 8 | Miami | 9-1 | 9 |
| 9 | Ole Miss | 8-2 | 11 |
| 10 | Georgia | 8-2 | 12 |
| 11 | Tennessee | 8-2 | 7 |
| 12 | Boise State | 9-1 | 13 |
Boise State leapfrogged BYU, which fell to 14th in this week's rankings. No. 1 Oregon, No. 3 Texas, and No. 8 Miami would also receive first-round byes in the playoffs if the season ended today as the highest-ranked teams leading a conference.
BYU suffered a hit after Kansas ruined its undefeated season, but the program keeps a spot in the CFP thanks to being the highest-ranked Big 12 team.
Tennessee wouldn't make the CFP despite being ranked 11th.
Four of the top five teams come from the Big Ten, while eight SEC programs are in the top 25.
Arizona State, Iowa State, UNLV, and Illinois are the newcomers to the third edition of the CFP rankings.
Below are the rest of the teams that occupy the top 25 spots.
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | SMU | 9-1 | 14 |
| 14 | BYU | 9-1 | 6 |
| 15 | Texas A&M | 8-2 | 15 |
| 16 | Colorado | 8-2 | 17 |
| 17 | Clemson | 8-2 | 20 |
| 18 | South Carolina | 7-3 | 21 |
| 19 | Army | 9-0 | 24 |
| 20 | Tulane | 9-2 | 25 |
| 21 | Arizona State | 8-2 | NR |
| 22 | Iowa State | 8-2 | NR |
| 23 | Missouri | 7-3 | 23 |
| 24 | UNLV | 8-2 | NR |
| 25 | Illinois | 7-3 | NR |