The College Football Playoff remained static at the top of its latest top-25 rankings, with the top four teams remaining Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU.
The Horned Frogs in particular face a precarious situation ahead of the final three weeks of the regular season. Any loss by TCU could spell the end of its CFP hopes, which are kept alive by its status as a potentially undefeated Power 5 conference champion.
Tennessee followed TCU at No. 5 overall; the Volunteers have perhaps the easiest path to the Playoff, needing only wins over South Carolina and Vanderbilt in their final two games to head into conference championship weekend with an 11-1 record. Tennessee cannot reach the SEC Championship Game if Georgia wins out; both teams are in the SEC East. Considering one of Ohio State and Michigan will lose “The Game” in Week 13, though, it stands to reason Tennessee can move back into the top-four.
Elsewhere, the committee’s decisions in the latest top-25 will not only impact teams’ proximity to the Playoff, but also the New Year’s Day 6 bowl games. Oregon and UCLA both lost their second games of the season in Week 11, respectively, and are now out of the Playoff running.
MORE: College football picks, predictions ATS for Week 12 top-25 games
The Sporting News breaks down the latest set of College Football Playoff top 25 rankings, starting with those all-important four teams in:
College Football Playoff rankings 2022
Top four CFP teams of third CFP poll
No surprise, the top four remain the same heading into Week 12. Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU are the last remaining undefeated teams in the country — but one of the Buckeyes and Wolverines are guaranteed to lose in Week 13.
| Ranking | Team | Record |
| 1 | Georgia | 10-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 10-0 |
| 3 | Michigan | 10-0 |
| 4 | TCU | 10-0 |
MORE: Updated AP Top 25, Coaches Poll rankings after Week 11
First two teams out of third CFP poll
LSU made a surprising jump into the top-six, a week after surviving a defensive-driven road game vs. Arkansas. The Tigers’ status as SEC West division champions — including wins over Ole Miss and Alabama — are clearly more impressive to the committee than USC’s 9-1 record vs. largely. outmatched competition.
| Ranking | Team | Record |
| 5 | Tennessee | 9-1 |
| 6 | LSU | 8-2 |
MORE: CFP ranking release dates for 2022
College Football Playoff top 25 rankings from the second CFP poll of 2022
Outside the top six are No. 7 USC, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 Clemson, No. 10 Utah and No. 11 Penn State; those games will have a lot to say about the New Year’s Day 6 bowl games, as will No. 20 UCF, the highest-ranked Group of 5 team. The Knights will play in the Cotton Bowl if they remain undefeated.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Georgia | 10-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 10-0 |
| 3 | Michigan | 10-0 |
| 4 | TCU | 10-0 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 9-1 |
| 6 | LSU | 8-2 |
| 7 | USC | 9-1 |
| 8 | Alabama | 8-2 |
| 9 | Clemson | 9-1 |
| 10 | Utah | 8-2 |
| 11 | Penn State | 8-2 |
| 12 | Oregon | 8-2 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 9-1 |
| 14 | Ole Miss | 8-2 |
| 15 | Kansas State | 7-3 |
| 16 | UCLA | 8-2 |
| 17 | Washington | 8-2 |
| 18 | Notre Dame | 7-3 |
| 19 | Florida State | 7-3 |
| 20 | UCF | 8-2 |
| 21 | Tulane | 8-2 |
| 22 | Oklahoma State | 7-3 |
| 23 | Oregon State | 7-3 |
| 24 | N.C. State | 7-3 |
| 25 | Cincinnati | 8-2 |
New Year’s Day 6 bowl projections
Latest projections based off Week 12 CFP rankings and conference championship game participants:
- Orange Bowl (Dec. 30): No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 5 Tennessee
- Sugar Bowl (Dec. 31): No. 6 LSU vs. No. 15 Kansas State
- Peach Bowl (Dec. 31): No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 TCU
- Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31): No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Michigan
- Cotton Bowl (Jan. 2): No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 20 UCF
- Rose Bowl (Jan. 2): No. 7 USC vs. No. 11 Penn State
* – CFP Semifinals
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