The Ohio State Buckeyes stayed perfect, and the Indiana Hoosiers kept their undefeated season alive — but the real story Tuesday night was the collapse of a giant. The Alabama Crimson Tide, once the unshakable powerhouse of college football, tumbled to No. 10 in the third College Football Playoff rankings of the 2025 season, released at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 18, 2025. It’s their lowest ranking since the playoff system began in 2014 — and with just three weeks left in the regular season, their path to the 12-team bracket is now a miracle, not a foregone conclusion.
Top Four Lock In, But the Race Behind Is Wild
The top four remained unchanged: Ohio State (10-0) at No. 1, Indiana (11-0) at No. 2, Texas A&M (10-0) at No. 3, and Georgia (9-1) at No. 4. These teams earn first-round byes — a massive advantage in the new 12-team format. But beneath them, chaos. Oklahoma Sooners surged to No. 8 after a dramatic Week 12 win, while Notre Dame clung to No. 9. The drop of Alabama wasn’t just a slip — it was a freefall. They were No. 5 just two weeks ago. Now, they’re outside the top eight, meaning they’d need a perfect finish and help from multiple upsets to sneak in.Why Alabama Fell — And Why Indiana Climbed
The College Football Playoff selection committee, chaired by Dr. Ted Valentine, evaluates teams on strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships. Alabama lost to LSU in Week 8 — a game that looked bad at the time but seemed survivable. Then came the ripple effect. Teams ahead of them kept winning. Indiana didn’t just win — they dominated. Their schedule includes wins over ranked teams from the Big Ten and a 45-14 thrashing of then-No. 16 Michigan. Head coach Curt Cignetti has turned the Hoosiers into a national force, and their 11-0 record now makes them the only undefeated Power Five team left besides Ohio State.Meanwhile, Alabama’s non-conference schedule — once a strength — now looks thin. They beat only one ranked team (Texas Tech) and lost to LSU by 17. Their strength of schedule rating dropped below Oklahoma’s. The committee didn’t just punish them for losing — they punished them for not proving they belong among the elite anymore.
The Indiana Hoosiers’ Path to the Championship
For Indiana, the next two weeks are historic. They face Purdue Boilermakers on November 23 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana — a game that could clinch a first-round bye and a direct shot to the semifinals. Win that, and they need only to beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship on December 7 to lock up the No. 1 seed. Lose? They’re still in — but now they’d have to win on the road in a quarterfinal. The stakes? A chance to become the first Big Ten team since 2014 to win the national title without a single loss.
Who’s on the Bubble — And Who’s Out
The top 12 are still alive, but the drop from No. 12 to No. 13 is brutal. Miami Hurricanes (11-1) are in at No. 11, but Vanderbilt Commodores (10-2) are just outside at No. 14. The difference? Miami beat Florida State and Clemson. Vanderbilt didn’t. The committee doesn’t care about tradition — only results.Michigan (8-2) at No. 18 is the most surprising omission. They beat Ohio State last year. But two losses to ranked teams — including a 38-21 blowout by Penn State — killed their chances. Same for Tennessee (7-3) and Texas Longhorns (7-3). Both had early hype, but inconsistent play and weak schedules buried them.
What Comes Next — And Why It Matters
The next ranking drops November 25, then December 2. The final bracket? December 7. The first-round games? December 20-21. The national championship? January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This isn’t just about who makes the playoffs — it’s about who gets a home game, who gets a rest, who gets a shot.For Alabama, it’s a new reality. Under Nick Saban, they were the standard. Now, under Kalen DeBoer, they’re chasing. And with Ohio State and Indiana standing tall, the old order has cracked. The new era? It’s not about legacy. It’s about wins. And right now, Indiana has more of them than anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Indiana get to No. 2 with an 11-0 record when Ohio State is only 10-0?
The committee values strength of schedule and quality wins. Indiana’s 11-0 includes victories over ranked teams like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa — all within the competitive Big Ten. Ohio State’s schedule was slightly weaker, but their dominance and consistency kept them at No. 1. Indiana’s higher win total earned them the No. 2 spot, but the committee still sees Ohio State as the more complete team.
Why did Alabama drop so far despite only one loss?
Alabama’s loss to LSU was by 17 points, and they failed to beat any other top-10 teams. Meanwhile, teams above them — like Texas A&M, Georgia, and even Oklahoma — had stronger wins and fewer losses. The committee prioritizes recent performance and schedule strength over reputation. Alabama’s non-conference slate was weak, and their conference wins weren’t decisive enough to offset the drop.
Can Alabama still make the playoff?
Technically, yes — but it’s nearly impossible. They’d need to win out, including the SEC Championship, and hope for at least three teams ahead of them to lose. Even then, teams like Indiana, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma have better resumes. The committee has shown no sign of rewarding historical prestige over current performance. Alabama’s window is closing fast.
What happens if Indiana beats Purdue but loses to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship?
They’d still be in the playoff as the No. 2 seed, likely facing the winner of No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Oklahoma. The committee doesn’t require teams to win their conference to qualify — just to be among the 12 best. Indiana’s 11-1 record would still be among the top three in the nation, and their strength of schedule would keep them safely in the bracket.
Who are the biggest threats to Ohio State and Indiana in the playoff?
Texas A&M and Georgia are the most dangerous. Both are undefeated or one-loss teams with elite defenses and experienced quarterbacks. If either wins their conference, they could challenge for the top seed. Oklahoma and Texas Tech are dangerous underdogs — especially if they get a home game. But Ohio State’s offense and Indiana’s balanced attack make them the favorites to reach the final.
How is the 12-team playoff different from the old 4-team format?
The 12-team format gives more teams a shot — and rewards undefeated or one-loss teams from smaller conferences. The top four get byes, but teams like Tulane, Miami, and even Utah can host first-round games. It’s less about tradition and more about performance. The championship game is still at a neutral site, but the road there is far more unpredictable — and far more exciting.
Write a comment