Georgia Opens CFP Rankings at No. 2 Behind Miami
The College Football Playoff selection committee placed Georgia second in its opening rankings, released on November 3, behind undefeated Miami. The first projection also put Alabama fifth and Tennessee 13th, despite Tennessee’s 16-point win over Alabama.
Georgia began the College Football Playoff selection committee’s opening rankings in second place, with undefeated Miami at No. 1. Undefeated Utah was third, while defending champion Indiana took fourth in a first projection that immediately raised questions about the committee’s ordering of teams.
Georgia has one loss, a turnover-heavy defeat to Auburn, and its strongest wins so far have come against Florida and Alabama. Its remaining schedule includes a trip to No. 10 Ole Miss, a home game against No. 18 Missouri and a visit to No. 21 South Carolina before the rivalry game against Georgia Tech. Strong results down the stretch could strengthen Georgia’s case for the top seed, particularly if it also wins the SEC title game.
The rankings placed Alabama fifth and Tennessee 13th, even though Tennessee beat Alabama by 16 points and the teams have the same record. Texas, which has lost to Florida and Oklahoma, was seventh. Indiana’s fourth-place position also drew scrutiny: it sits eight places above Ohio State, which beat Indiana last month. Ohio State was 12th and outside the projected field.
Notre Dame was 11th, the last team in the projected playoff bracket, and faces Miami on Saturday. A loss could hurt its postseason position. Boise State, ranked 25th, holds the Group of Six automatic place in the projection, leaving Ohio State out. The Southeastern Conference had five teams in the top 12, more than any other conference.