Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Georgia Hold Top 4 in College Football Playoff Rankings

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee dropped its third rankings of the 2025 season on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 — and the top four didn’t budge. The Ohio State University Buckeyes stayed at No. 1, Indiana University Hoosiers surged to 11-0 and held No. 2, Texas A&M University Aggies kept their perfect record at No. 3, and University of Georgia Bulldogs clung to No. 4 despite a lone loss. It’s not often you see the top four locked in like this — especially with two teams still undefeated and a third barely nicked. But here we are. And it’s not just a fluke. This is what happens when elite programs play like champions, and the rest of the field starts to crack under pressure.

Top Four Stay Put — Even After Big Week

Here’s the twist: every team in the top four played last week. Ohio State beat Northwestern 38-10. Indiana crushed Iowa 45-14. Texas A&M outlasted LSU 31-28 in a rain-soaked battle in Baton Rouge. Georgia held off a late rally from unranked Florida State to win 24-21. And yet — not one shift in the top four. That’s rare. The committee didn’t just reward wins; they rewarded consistency. Ohio State earned 61 first-place votes in the Associated Press poll, a clear signal they’re the consensus best. Texas A&M got two. Georgia’s loss? To an unranked team, but it was a close one, and their overall resume — including a win over then-No. 7 Alabama — kept them in the hunt.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-1) and Ole Miss Rebels (10-1) both climbed into the top six after strong finishes to their schedules. But the real story? The drop-offs. Louisville Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, Pittsburgh Panthers, South Florida Bulls, and Cincinnati Bearcats all fell out of the Top 25. One bad loss, and your season’s over. That’s the new reality.

Indiana’s Unbeaten Run Is No Fluke

Let’s talk about Indiana. Eleven wins. Zero losses. No one saw this coming. Not in the Big Ten. Not with the schedule they’ve faced. But here’s the thing — they didn’t just win. They dominated. They beat ranked teams like Penn State and Wisconsin by double digits. Their quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., is playing like a Heisman frontrunner. The Hoosiers’ offense? Explosive. Their defense? Improved. And now, they’re not just a surprise — they’re a contender. For the first time since 2015, Indiana is in the top two. And they’re not backing down. The committee noticed. So did the fans. The Assembly Hall in Bloomington? Sold out. The streets downtown? Packed. This isn’t just a good season. It’s a cultural moment for a program that’s been waiting decades.

Georgia’s One Loss — And Why It Still Works

Georgia’s 9-1 record isn’t perfect. But it’s powerful. Their only loss? A 27-24 heartbreaker to unranked Florida State in September. A fluke? Maybe. But the committee didn’t punish them for it. Why? Because they’ve since beaten Alabama, LSU, and South Carolina — all ranked at the time. Strength of schedule doesn’t lie. And Georgia’s defense? Still one of the most intimidating in college football. Their pass rush, led by defensive end Jalen Carter, has been relentless. They’ve allowed fewer than 17 points per game since that loss. That’s not luck. That’s discipline. And it’s why they’re still in the conversation.

The Road to Atlanta

The stakes? Everything. The final rankings drop on December 7, 2025 — just two weeks from now. The semifinals? Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 31, and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas on January 1, 2026. The winner? They head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for the national title on January 19. That’s the prize. And right now, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Georgia are the only four with a realistic shot.

But here’s what keeps coaches awake: the chaos still possible. What if Texas Tech beats Oklahoma State next week? What if Oregon, currently at No. 7, pulls off a miracle against Oregon State? What if Alabama, at No. 10, wins out and sneaks in? The committee has said they weigh “head-to-head results” and “conference championships” heavily. That means if Indiana wins the Big Ten and Georgia wins the SEC, their resumes become untouchable. But if Ohio State loses to Michigan next week? All bets are off.

Behind the Scenes: How the Committee Decides

The College Football Playoff organization, headquartered in Irving, Texas, employs 13 committee members — former coaches, athletic directors, and administrators from every FBS conference. They don’t just look at wins. They watch film. They analyze tempo. They study injuries. They track momentum. And they talk. For hours. Every week. They’re not robots. They’re humans. And they’re under pressure. This year, they’ve been unusually consistent — no wild swings, no last-minute jumps. That’s a good sign. It means the top teams are clearly separating themselves.

Still, the debate rages. Why is Notre Dame at No. 9? Why is USC at No. 15 despite a 8-2 record? The committee says it’s schedule strength. But some analysts think bias creeps in — especially toward traditional powerhouses. The truth? It’s messy. And that’s why we watch.

What’s Next? The Final Push

Next week, Ohio State plays Michigan. Indiana faces Purdue. Texas A&M takes on LSU again in a potential trap game. Georgia? They’re hosting Georgia Tech. All four games matter. All four could change everything. The committee’s next rankings — on November 25 — will be the last real test before the final decision. And if the top four stay put? That’s not just a ranking. That’s history.