The second 2025 CFP rankings were revealed Tuesday, and it did not bring good news for the Ole Miss Rebels.
Ole Miss fell a spot in the second CFP rankings to No. 7, whereas Texas Tech took over the Rebels's previous No. 6 spot following their 29-7 dominant win against BYU.
With the decision, the committee sent a clear message about teams having a dominant win against a ranked opponent will easily outweigh a team with better strength of schedule.
That said, the Rebels' current ranking at No. 7 means Ole Miss's College Football Playoff path will be tougher than initially imagined.
A change in the rankings vastly changes who Ole Miss faces down the road, and how it potentially affects them getting past the first round at all.
Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin has also always brought the CFP committee not valuing strength of schedule enough whenever he was asked about their CFP rankings.
"People always say schedule tough — they (Texas A&M) played nine SEC games and went to Notre Dame and won. But if that’s not rewarded, what’s the point? They have the highest metrics, and they’re still not No. 1. So I don’t know," Kiffin said on Monday talking about Texas A&M still being ranked behind Indiana, which still continues in the second CFP rankings.
More importantly, the same applies for Ole Miss this season.
All that said, the remaining two weeks could still see massive shakeup in the final CFP bracket down the road.
Second 2025 CFP rankings
Here's the full CFP rankings from Nov. 11's release:
- Ohio State (9-0)
- Indiana (10-0)
- Texas A&M (9-0)
- Alabama (8-1)
- Georgia (8-1)
- Texas Tech (9-1)
- Ole Miss (9-1)
- Oregon (8-1)
- Notre Dame (7-2)
- Texas (7-2)
- Oklahoma (7-2)
- BYU (8-1)
- Utah (7-2)
- Vanderbilt (8-2)
- Miami (7-2)
- Georgia Tech (8-1)
- Southern California (7-2)
- Michigan (7-2)
- Virginia (8-2)
- Louisville (7-2)
- Iowa (6-3)
- Pittsburgh (7-2)
- Tennessee (6-3)
- South Florida (7-2)
- Cincinnati (7-2)
Based on the 12-team criteria, the following teams will make it to the College Football Playoff.
- Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0)
- Indiana Hoosiers (10-0)
- Texas A&M Aggies (9-0)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1)
- Georgia Bulldogs (8-1)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-1)
- Ole Miss Rebels (9-1)
- Oregon Ducks (8-1)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-2)
- Texas Longhorns (7-2)
- Miami Hurricanes (7-2)
- South Florida Bulls (7-2)