URGENT UPDATE: Georgia has surged to No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings released on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. This pivotal ranking secures the Bulldogs a coveted first-round bye as they prepare for the playoff season.
Undefeated teams Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M maintain their grip on the top three positions, solidifying their playoff aspirations. Georgia’s rise comes on the heels of Alabama’s surprising loss to Oklahoma over the weekend, which caused the Crimson Tide to plummet six spots to No. 10.
The playoff will officially kick off on December 19, where the top four teams will enjoy a bye, while seeds five through eight will compete in first-round games at their home campuses. This season’s championship game is set to conclude a month later, promising an exciting finish to the college football season.
In a significant shakeup, the selection committee is also facing changes, with Baylor’s athletic director Mack Rhoades stepping down abruptly last week. He has been replaced by Hunter Yurachek, the athletic director at Arkansas, marking a notable transition as the committee strives for a fair evaluation of teams.
As teams position themselves for playoff spots, the rankings will continue to evolve. The next two Tuesdays are critical, as teams outside the current top 12 may still have a chance to secure places in the bracket, which guarantees spots for the five best-ranked conference champions.
Notably, No. 13 Miami holds the best ranking in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but its two losses may hinder its chances of competing in the conference title game. This opens up opportunities for No. 16 Georgia Tech and No. 19 Virginia to make their mark.
In the Group of 5 rankings, No. 24 Tulane is now the third team to claim this position in just three weeks, demonstrating the competitive nature of college football this season. Following Georgia in the rankings are Texas Tech at No. 5, Mississippi, and Oregon, while Notre Dame rounds out the top ten at No. 9.
The bubble teams are primarily from the Big 12, with No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah vying for a chance to break into the playoff picture. As the countdown to the playoffs continues, fans and analysts alike are watching closely, eager to see how the rankings will shift in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more updates on the AP Top 25 and the unfolding college football landscape. Don’t miss your chance to receive alerts and updates throughout the season by signing up for our notifications.
