Happy Halloween. The first College Football Playoff Rankings have been unveiled. The SEC had the most teams ranked in the Top Ten with three. The two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs came in at #2, with Alabama #8 and Ole Miss rounding out the Top 10. They had six teams in total ranked in the Top 25, tied with the Pac 12 for most in the Power 5. The Big Ten took two of the top three spots, with Ohio State earning the top ranking and Michigan coming in at #3. Florida State returned triumphantly to the top of the rankings to round out the top four.
The Pac-12, which has looked like one of the deepest conferences in College Football, is on the outside looking in the initial rankings. Washington came in at #5, with Oregon right behind them at #6. The Big 12 has work still to do. Texas is at #7, and Oklahoma is at #9 following its loss this weekend in Lawrence.
Check out the full #CFBPlayoff selection committee rankings for games played through Saturday, October 28.
Where does your team rank as we head into the month of November?
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) October 31, 2023
The SEC and the first College Football Playoff Ranking
Here is an overview and the remaining outlook for each SEC team ranked in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Check out the links for the latest news from your Last Word on College Football staff.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs
Remaining schedule: Mizzou (11/4), Ole Miss (11/11), Tennessee (11/18), Georgia Tech (11/25) (SEC Championship 12/2)
Win, and you’re in. It’s that simple for the two-time defending national champions. November will be Georgia’s trickiest stretch of the season. It’s been a tale of two seasons this year for the Bulldogs. This weekend against Jacksonville, Georgia, showed themselves as one of the most dominant teams in the country. They have also been shown to come out slow and lethargic. Something they will be able to afford to do for the rest of the season.
#8 Alabama Crimson Tide
Remaining schedule: LSU (11/4), Kentucky (11/11), Chattanooga (11/18), Auburn (11/25)
The Tide’s margin for error was reduced in its Week 2 loss to Texas. The Tide sits atop the SEC West and is the frontrunner to face Georgia in Atlanta. This team is far from perfect or dominant that fans and the country have come to expect from a Nick Saban-coached team. This weekend, they host LSU. The Tide will have to rely on its defense to try to limit a red-hot Tiger offense. If not, they could open the door to Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.
#10 Ole Miss Rebels
Remaining schedule: Texas A&M (11/4), Georgia (11/11), ULM (11/18), Mississippi State (11/23)
The “🐀☠️” emojis are back out on the Ole Miss social media. Lane Kiffin has his Rebels playing well, especially at home. Ole Miss is 19-2 in its last 21 games in Oxford. They will need that focus this week as they welcome Texas A&M to kick off an action-packed SEC weekend. Ole Miss will need to win out to head back to Atlanta and likely defeat Georiga for a second time in the season. That seems like a tall task, but don’t count out Kiffin yet. Grab your popcorn.
#12 Mizzou Tigers
Remaining schedule: Georiga (11/4), Tennessee (11/11), Florida (11/18), Arkansas (11/24)
No respect. That is what the Mizzou message boards are saying. The Tigers were disrespected in the off-season, and not many pundits had the Tigers ready to challenge Georiga this weekend for the top of the SEC East. Mizzou has not won the East since 2013, its first season in the SEC. If they can get by Georgia this weekend, Tiger fans will be ready to book their tickets for Atlanta.
#14 LSU Tigers
Remaining schedule: Alabama (11/4), Florida (11/11), Georgia State (11/18), Texas A&M (11/25)
LSU has one of the most potent offenses in the country. Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers have been nearly unstoppable this season for the Tigers. Too bad its defense has been almost as bad as the offense has been good. If LSU can get by Alabama this weekend, they will be back in Atlanta and primed to return to the College Football Playoff. It’s a long shot, but it’s hard to count out Daniels and Nabers this season.
#17 Tennesse Volunteers
Remaining schedule: UConn (11/4), Mizzou (11/11), Georiga (11/18), Vanderbilt (11/25)
Tennessee has Missouri and Georgia both on their way to making their first College Football Playoff appearance. To do so, they will need more consistency out of quarterback Joe Milton. Milton can take over a game with his legs, but his arm has been inconsistent. The Vols seem likely headed to 9-3 or 8-4 this season, a bit of a disappointment after their 11-2 season in 2022.
