4 Takeaways From the Third CFP Rankings Launch of 2025

[ad_1] The newest Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings are out, and chaos is the brand new order.

From Notre Dame and Miami, to Alabama and Oklahoma, these rankings are stuffed with storylines, surprises, and "wait, what?" moments.

Buckle up. Listed below are my takeaways from the third reveal of the Faculty Soccer Playoff Rankings.

1. What precisely is occurring within the CFP committee boardroom?

In a sport the place so many are fast to say some video games not matter, Miami's win over Notre Dame was purported to act as a definitive level for rating one in entrance of the opposite. And since I’ve needed to faculty you on this earlier than, let’s be clear: head-to-head is the best standards. It’s the place one staff beats one other staff, and due to this fact is said the higher staff.

I want I didn't need to act like a grade faculty principal right here, however that is what you’re going to get when Arkansas athletic director and CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek says this:

"Once you have a look at Miami and Notre Dame and you actually evaluate the losses of these two groups — Miami has misplaced to 2 unranked groups. Notre Dame has misplaced to 2 groups which can be ranked and are prime 13. And we actually haven’t in contrast these two groups. They haven’t been in related comparable swimming pools to this point. However Miami is creeping up into that vary the place they are going to be in comparison with Notre Dame if one thing occurs above them."

Holy smokes, kiddos! We don’t evaluate two groups separated by simply 4 spots, every with two losses and principally the identical convention schedule? Have we forgotten we really play to win video games?

2. Texas A&M is correctly ranked, however can the Aggies deal with the large stage?

What I query is the Aggies’ poise below strain towards groups higher than the Gamecocks, even when the choice committee appears unfazed.

There are three nice groups in school soccer, and the Aggies are one in every of them. Nonetheless, after needing to place collectively a 27-point comeback to beat 3-7 South Carolina, I’m not satisfied that Texas A&M is able to profitable a nationwide title.

Little question, the Aggies are among the many most proficient groups within the SEC. Quarterback Marcel Reed confirmed each his Jekyll — throwing for 439 yards and three touchdowns — and Hyde sides — tossing three first-half interceptions.

What I query is the Aggies’ poise below strain towards groups higher than the Gamecocks, even when the choice committee appears unfazed.

3. Alabama form of … type of … controls its personal future

Even after dropping to Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide nonetheless have a clear path to the SEC Championship Recreation. Like Texas A&M, all of the Tide actually need to do is win their remaining SEC sport to earn entry into the convention title sport for the primary time within the Kalen DeBoer period.

It will get just a little extra sophisticated for Georgia and Ole Miss, although.

The Dawgs may get an opportunity to repeat as SEC champions if Alabama loses to Auburn or if Texas A&M loses to Texas within the all-important rivalry week. Ole Miss would earn its first likelihood to win an SEC championship since 1963 with a victory towards Mississippi State and losses by Texas A&M at Texas and Alabama at Auburn.

What’s nice about this for Georgia and Ole Miss, although, is profitable out makes them abruptly well-liked at-large picks for the choice committee on Choice Sunday. It’d be troublesome to disclaim an 11-1 Georgia and 11-1 Ole Miss staff. In the meantime, Alabama may need to win the SEC Championship Recreation simply to get into the CFP.

4. Oklahoma makes 5 for the SEC

The Sooners may find yourself with essentially the most compelling résumé amongst 10-win groups, boasting top-25 victories over Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri. However a loss to Mizzou or LSU the next week would virtually definitely relegate them to the identical circle of hell Texas already inhabits: the dreaded "Nearly There."

As a three-loss staff, the Longhorns would want to lean on their head-to-head victory towards Oklahoma. However OU would have wins on the highway towards Tennessee and Alabama, whereas the Longhorns have only one prime 25 win — Oklahoma — to point out after being the preseason No. 1 staff within the nation.

Even with out Texas — or Vanderbilt or Tennessee or Missouri — that also makes 5 SEC groups ranked within the choice committee’s prime 10: No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Georgia, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 10 Alabama.

If these rankings maintain — they usually very properly may — the ACC and Large 12 could possibly be taking a look at a playoff the place simply one in every of their groups will get in, whereas the Large Ten will get three and Notre Dame eats up an at-large. That doesn’t appear honest, and that’s as a result of it isn’t.

RJ Younger is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities. Observe him @RJ_Young.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter every day!