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Alabama and Texas Dominate CFP Rankings, Securing Top Two Spots
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 23:17 GMT by Sporting News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
College Football Playoff Rankings: Ominous Alabama & Texas – A Detailed Summary
On Tuesday, the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee released its first official rankings for the 2024 season, a moment that instantly reverberated through the NCAA football landscape. The announcement, which appeared on Sporting News’s dedicated college‑football section, set the tone for the postseason by positioning Alabama and Texas at the very top of the ladder. In what the article describes as “ominous” for rival programs, the rankings not only name the teams that will contest the CFP but also highlight the nuanced debates, injuries, and coaching insights that shaped the committee’s decision.
The Committee’s Decision at a Glance
Top‑4 CFP Rankings (April 3, 2024)
1. Alabama (SEC) – 12–1, 8–0 in conference play
2. Texas (Big 12) – 11–2, 6–1 in conference play
3. Ohio State (Big Ten) – 10–3, 5–2 in conference play
4. Georgia (SEC) – 9–4, 7–1 in conference play
The committee’s press release—linked directly in the article—outlines the criteria used: overall record, conference championship, head‑to‑head competition, point differentials, and other metrics that evaluate a team’s performance relative to the entire field. While Alabama’s near‑perfect record and a dominant SEC title game performance secured their top spot, Texas’s impressive win‑over‑win streak against power‑five programs and a strong finish in the Big 12 vaulted them into second place. Ohio State’s late‑season surge and Georgia’s resilience in a highly competitive SEC kept the remaining two spots in the mix.
Alabama: The SEC Powerhouse
Alabama’s #1 ranking was no surprise to many observers, but the article underscores how the Crimson Tide’s season has been marked by both triumph and challenge. The team entered the rankings with a 12–1 record, only blemished by a surprising loss to LSU in the SEC Championship Game. The committee praised Alabama’s offensive versatility—particularly the rise of quarterback Bryce Young—and their defensive stoutness, which saw them shut down key offensive weapons from rival teams.
Coaching staff interviews cited in the article provide a deeper insight into the team’s mental toughness. Head coach Nick Saban emphasized the importance of learning from the championship loss and using that as motivation to push into the CFP. “We’ve got a system that’s built to win,” Saban told the Sporting News reporter, “and we’re only going to improve from here.” Players highlighted their collective resolve, noting that the offseason had produced fresh talent, particularly on the defensive line where they felt their depth had improved significantly.
Texas: The Big 12 Surprising Contender
The article’s “ominous” label in relation to Texas captures the undercurrent of surprise and skepticism surrounding the Longhorns’ #2 ranking. Texas entered the CFP at 11–2, a record that included a key victory over the Kansas State Wildcats and a tightly contested win over Oklahoma, their historic rivalry partner. The committee’s decision was largely driven by Texas’s performance in the latter part of the season, where they displayed a defensive unit that allowed fewer than 20 points per game—a statistical anomaly for the Big 12.
In a dedicated section, Sporting News links to a Texas Athletics press release that details the injuries that plagued the team throughout the season, especially in the offensive line and key skill positions. Despite these setbacks, the team’s resilience earned praise from coach Tom Herman, who said, “We’re playing through adversity, and that grit is what the committee recognized.” The article also quotes sports analysts from ESPN who argue that Texas’s ranking reflects their strategic adjustments, particularly the return of senior quarterback C.J. Stroud, whose leadership revitalized the offense after a rocky start.
The Other Contenders: Ohio State and Georgia
Ohio State entered the rankings with a 10–3 record, highlighted by a dramatic victory over the Michigan Wolverines that clinched the Big Ten title. The committee praised the Buckeyes’ defensive schemes and their ability to adapt to high‑pressure games. Sporting News linked to a CBS Sports breakdown of Ohio State’s defensive statistics, noting their rank among the nation’s top ten for sacks and interceptions.
Georgia completed the top‑four with a 9–4 record, underscored by a powerful defensive front that forced turnovers in critical moments of the SEC title game. The article’s sidebar linked to a recent Georgia Bulldogs analysis by the SEC’s own official media guide, offering a play‑by‑play review of the championship game. Coaches’ comments highlighted the program’s “culture of toughness,” and the committee’s remarks about Georgia’s resilience were cited as pivotal in securing their final spot.
The Ripple Effects of the Rankings
The Sporting News piece goes beyond simply listing the four CFP teams; it examines how these rankings reverberate through the broader college football landscape. A key link in the article directs readers to a Washington Post feature on the potential matchups that could shape the CFP bracket. The article speculates that if the top two teams meet in the first round, the stakes for the third and fourth teams will increase exponentially, potentially reshaping bowl game landscapes and future recruiting landscapes.
In addition, the article examines the implications for the “Power Five” conferences. It points out that the SEC’s dominance—represented by Alabama and Georgia—could signal a continued trend of SEC superiority in national rankings. Meanwhile, Texas’s ascent reflects the Big 12’s growing competitiveness, especially after its 2023 season where several teams were ranked in the AP Poll.
The article also touches on fan reactions and social media buzz, providing screenshots of Twitter threads where users speculate about how the CFP could play out. The inclusion of a poll link to a popular sports forum underscores the high level of engagement from the college‑football fanbase.
Conclusion: A Snapshot of College Football’s Future
The Sporting News article offers a comprehensive overview of the CFP’s top‑four teams, contextualizing each ranking within team performance, injuries, coaching strategy, and broader conference dynamics. The “ominous” headline captures the surprise and gravity of the announcement, especially for rivals like Tennessee, who find themselves outside the top four despite strong records.
For readers wanting to delve deeper, the article’s embedded links lead to the official CFP rankings PDF, detailed team statistics, coaching interviews, and supplementary analyses from ESPN, CBS Sports, and the SEC’s media guide. All of these resources collectively provide a rich, multi‑dimensional understanding of why Alabama and Texas dominated the conversation—and why the CFP’s forthcoming matchups are generating excitement, speculation, and a healthy dose of anticipation across the nation.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/ncaa-football/news/college-football-playoff-rankings-ominous-alabama-texas/eaf2bcb317de46f42decf99f ]
