Athens, Georgia – Georgia’s hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff took a hit as they dropped from No. 3 to No. 12 after a 28-10 loss to Ole Miss, marking their second loss of the season. The 7-2 Bulldogs, known for their strong defense, have been struggling with inconsistency on offense, leading to their fall in the rankings.
In a surprising turn of events, previously undefeated Miami also suffered a setback, falling from No. 4 to No. 9 after being defeated by Georgia Tech. As the top teams shuffled in the rankings, Oregon and Ohio State maintained their positions at the top, while Texas, Penn State, Indiana, and BYU moved up, making the Big Ten conference a dominant force in the top five.
Chairman of the selection committee, Warde Manuel, pointed out Georgia’s offensive struggles and turnovers as reasons for their drop in the rankings. Despite their losses to Alabama and Ole Miss, both of whom are ranked in the top 10, a win against Tennessee this week could propel Georgia back into contention with a second Top 10 victory of the season.
BYU, who jumped to No. 6 after a thrilling win over Utah, now has a more comfortable position in the rankings. The team has shown resilience and strength throughout the season, putting them in a good position to secure a spot in the playoff if they continue their success.
Boise State remains the highest-ranked Group of Five team, poised to earn a bid as a conference champion if they win the Mountain West. However, the American Athletic Conference is making waves with two teams, including unbeaten Army at No. 24 and Tulane at No. 25. Tulane’s upcoming game against Navy could significantly impact their chances of reaching the conference title game.
As the season progresses, teams are facing increasing pressure to perform and secure their spots in the playoff rankings. Georgia’s upcoming game against Tennessee and Army’s challenge against Notre Dame will be crucial moments to watch as the race for the College Football Playoff heats up.