SEC, Notre Dame lead College Football Playoff rankings winners, losers in first release

The College Football Playoff selection committee's initial rankings place the SEC and Notre Dame as leading "winners," reflecting the committee's strong assessment of these conferences and teams. The SEC boasts nine teams in the top 25, led by No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Georgia, and No. 6 Mississippi. This depth suggests the conference is well-positioned to secure multiple playoff berths. Ohio State and Indiana are also highlighted as strong contenders, with Ohio State ranked No. 1 and Indiana No. 2, indicating they have significant room for error and are likely playoff locks. Notre Dame's No. 10 ranking is crucial for their at-large playoff hopes, requiring them to win out their remaining games. BYU and Texas Tech are recognized for their top-eight rankings, a positive development for the Big 12, though their head-to-head matchup this weekend will determine who climbs and who falls. Conversely, the Group of Five conferences and the ACC are among the "losers" in this initial release. No Group of Five teams cracked the top 25, signaling a lack of perceived strength or prominent national brands from these leagues, despite the eventual necessity to include a conference champion from outside the Power Four. The ACC's hi... download the app to read more