College Football Top 12 Poll - Week 10

In the 12-team expanded playoff, the top four seeds represent the highest-rated conference champions from the Power 4 and Group of Five ranks and receive first-round byes.

This is the roadmap for the committee to follow: The committee tries to dig past strictly win-loss records and looks at the strength of opponents' records, location of game and opponent winning percentage as well. Those detailed factors matter and the committee used SportSource Analytics — which provides detailed data evaluations on offense, defense and special teams to dive further — for more than a decade now.

There are five auto-bids given to conference winners from within that group. The remaining seven slots will be at-large selections. Expect the Big Ten and SEC to dominate that conversation.

The first committee rankings were on November 5th. The No. 1 team is locked in, but the selection committee faces tough decisions beyond that for the inaugural top 25 reveal in the expanded 12-team playoff era.

1. Oregon (9-0)

The Ducks are the top team in the playoff projections with their undefeated record and noteworthy win over Ohio State. Oregon is currently the projected Big Ten champion. The unanimous No. 1 for the first time in Sunday's Week 11 AP Poll, the Ducks top the first playoff rankings, too. They hold one of the best wins after clipping Ohio State at Autzen Stadium and they seem to be strengthening as the season progresses. With only three games left in the regular season, all against inferior competition, Dan Lanning's squad appears to be on the path to an undefeated season heading into Big Ten Championship.

2. Georgia (7-1)

Strength of schedule matters. And depending on your preferred metric, the Bulldogs have the toughest in the country. Georgia is the projected SEC champion and will be the No. 2 seed. As of now, they won’t pass Oregon due to a loss to Alabama earlier this season. They won at top-ranked Texas, lost to then-No. 4 Alabama on the road in a thriller and stomped Clemson in the opener. Over the next two weeks, Georgia plays top 15s Tennessee and Ole Miss, so there is room to move up in the rankings even if the Bulldogs begin at No. 3.

3. Ohio State (7-1)

If the selection committee goes for drama with their first rankings, Ohio State at No. 4 could certainly garner considerable outrage, but we think Ryan Day's squad will be at No. 3. Ohio State did not panic after it fell behind 10-0 early on the road against Penn State Saturday in a top-five showdown. The Buckeyes eventually prevailed for a 20-13 win to put them back in position for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. With the Buckeyes coming off their win at Penn State, that was supposed to be a momentum booster in front of the selection committee. Perhaps it will be. In all, Ohio State has five wins over teams with winning records including a 56-0 drubbing of Western Michigan, which is unbeaten in the MAC. Losing by a point on the road at Oregon is this season's best loss among playoff frontrunners.

4. Miami-Florida (9-0)

Miami has Heisman candidate Cam Ward running the show at QB so they’ll likely go as far as he’ll take them. The ‘Canes are the big favorite in the ACC with a few weeks left in the season. Offensive firepower through Cam Ward drives Miami's unbeaten record through 10 weeks of the season. The Hurricanes beat up on an ACC schedule with one win over a projected CFP top-25 team (at Louisville). By the time they get to Charlotte without a loss (projected), the Hurricanes should have at least five wins over teams with winning records. The non-conference destructions of Florida and USF were impressive, too.

5. Texas (7-1)

The Longhorns beat five teams with winning records, including Vanderbilt, Michigan and Colorado State. Texas reached No. 1 in the AP Poll at one point this season before falling at home to Georgia. If you're going to take a loss prior to November, that one's much easier to swallow than an upset scenario. Texas benefitted from a bye and hosts Florida next Saturday in Austin where it hopes to have top wide receiver Isaiah Bond and safety Andrew Mukuba back from injury. The showdown at Texas A&M a few weeks from now could determine placement in the SEC Championship for both teams and has major playoff implications.

6. Indiana (9-0)

Despite their school record-setting unbeaten start through nine games, the Hoosiers' lack of schedule strength could harm Indiana's initial ranking from the selection committee. That's win No. 6 for the Hoosiers, making them the first team this season to reach bowl-eligibility. The Hoosiers have put up 500 yards of offense in their last three games and possess the nation's third-best scoring offense. That changes if Indiana beats Ohio State. But for now, do not expect the Hoosiers to be as highly-ranked in the committee's first poll as they are in the AP Poll. Indiana has not played a top 25 team.

7. BYU (8-0)

The unbeaten Cougars handed SMU its only loss on the road in September and torched Kansas State by 31 points a few weeks later. Those are the results that stand out thus far during BYU's magical season. The Cougars are the front runner in the Big 12 and some teams lost a step last weekend. So at this rate, it’s a TBD who will play BYU for the conference title and likely the final bye in the playoffs. If the Cougars can avoid being upset this month, they have a shot at a top-four seed. Several SEC and Big Ten teams hope BYU wins out and enters the playoff unbeaten as the Big 12 champion since that will keep the conference to one playoff bid.

8. Notre Dame (7-1)

Ranked wins over Texas A&M, Louisville and Navy have Notre Dame well inside the top 10, and rightfully so. Notre Dame has a win over Texas A&M, but that loss to Northern Illinois at home is glaring. That'll keep the Fighting Irish out of the playoffs for now. The Fighting Irish played nearly flawless since the disappointing performance against NIU and get another chance at a banner victory this month against unbeaten Army. If Notre Dame finishes 11-1, Marcus Freeman's squad could be on the verge of the No. 5 or 6-seed in the playoff given its body of work.

9. Penn St (7-1)

The Nittany Lions beat two teams with winning records (Illinois, Wisconsin), and the road victory at USC is grows weaker with every passing Saturday. The Nittany Lions squandered an early 10-0 lead as their losing streak to the Buckeyes extends to eight games. Franklin is now 1-13 against top-five teams in 11 years as head coach at Penn State. Penn State whiffed on its opportunity at a season-changing win against Ohio State, but should beat two bowl teams in Minnesota and Washington to 11-1 finish. Don't be surprised if Penn State is behind unbeaten Indiana in these initial rankings.

10. Tennessee (7-1)

Early-season wins over NC State and Oklahoma away from Neyland Stadium looked great at the time, but the Wolfpack and Sooners floundered. Still, those two opponents have winning records, as does Alabama. The victory over the Crimson Tide is the feather in Tennessee's cap at this point. Tennessee overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Kentucky 28-18 Saturday in Neyland Stadium as its defense once again stepped up big. The Volunteers have yet to allow more than 20 points in a game. The Vols would be inside the top five and unbeaten right now had they taken care of business at Arkansas. Swing games await at Georgia and Vanderbilt.

11. SMU (8-1)

SMU is tied atop the ACC standings after it knocked off previous undefeated Pittsburgh 48-25. The Mustangs have won six-consecutive games. Wins over Louisville and Pittsburgh should have the Mustangs bordering on top-10 placement Tuesday night. Winners of six straight, SMU likely faces Miami in the ACC Championship if this keeps up. The only loss came to unbeaten BYU by three points.

12. Boise State (7-1)

Ashton Jeanty continues his Heisman Trophy campaign following another 100-yard rushing performance in a 56-24 win against San Diego State Friday night. Jeanty totaled 149 yards and two touchdowns on the ground The Broncos lost to the only ranked opponent they played this season at Oregon. However, the Ducks are still unbeaten and ranked No. 1, so if there's a quality setback, that's one you want to have if you're Boise State. The win at UNLV holds water.