CFP rankings grades: Why Michigan gets an F

CFP rankings grades: Why Michigan gets an F

It's the final week of the regular season, and the pressure is rising on theCollege Football Playoffselection committee.

It was a relatively quiet past week as the top 11 teams in theUS LBM Coaches Polleither won or had the week off. However, there is sure to be changes with huge games coming before the field is set on Dec. 7. Is the selection committee getting the latest rankings right? Or are some teams undeservingly getting boosts or put down with not much time left?

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The weekend is the final chance for every team to make its case before only a few advance to conference championship games. Here are the grades for every spot in the College Football Playoff ranking heading into Week 14.

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin: 134 meetings, first met in 1890, play for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Auburn vs. Georgia: 130 meetings, first played in 1892, called Virginia vs. North Carolina: 130 meetings, first played in 1892, called Oregon vs, Oregon State: 129 meetings, first played in 1894, called Cincinnati vs. Miami (Ohio): 128 meetings, first played in 1888, they play for the Cal vs. Stanford: 128 meetings, first met in 1892, in what's called the Indiana vs. Purdue: 126 meetings, first played in 1891, called the Army vs. Navy: 125 meetings, first played in 1890, simply called Kansas vs. Kansas State: 123 meetings, first played in 1902, called the TCU vs. Baylor: 121 meetings, first played in 1899, called the Kansas vs. Missouri. 121 meetings, first met in 1891, called the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi: 121 meetings, first met in 1901, called the Kentucky vs. Tennessee: 121 meetings, first met in 1893, no cool name or trophy just good, old-fashion border disdain. Clemson vs. South Carolina: 121 meetings, first met in 1896, game is called the Texas vs. Oklahoma: 121 meetings, first met in 1900, game is called

Golden Egg, few axes and a bucket. See college football's longest running FBS rivalries

1. Ohio State: A+

Pretty sure theBuckeyesare solely focused on beating Michigan before thinking about anything else.

2. Indiana: A+

Beat Big Ten cellar-dweller Purdue and a first-round bye is nearly wrapped up forIndiana.

3. Texas A&M: A+

The SEC title game is far from clinched with theAggieshaving to play at Texas. The could get there with a loss if other results fall right.

4. Georgia: A+

Even thoughGeorgia Techlost last week,Georgiawould earn a quality win by beating the Yellow Jackets that could help it secure a first-round bye.

5. Texas Tech: B+

TheRed Raidersare positioned to be in the playoff as long as they beat West Virginia, but it was a tad bit surprising to see them not get jumped by Oregon.

6. Oregon: A-

With that much-needed signature win against Southern California,Oregongets a more secure spot. It could have moved up into the top five.

7. Mississippi: A

TheRebelsshould have given up a spot to Oregon, and now a spot in the playoff doesn't seem as secured without a win at Mississippi State.

8. Oklahoma: B+

Beat LSU and theSoonerscan feel good about their chances to make the field.

9. Notre Dame: A-

WhileNotre Dameputting up 70 points is cool, scoring that much against Syracuse isn't much to brag about.

10. Alabama: B-

The playoff is still in the Crimson Tide's hands, butAlabamafans are probably nervous heading into the Iron Bowl.

11. Brigham Young: C

It looks like it'll be Big 12 title or bust forBYUto get in. A defeat of Central Florida puts the Cougars one win away.

12. Miami: A

Boasting one of the best resumes, movingMiamieven one spot is a notable jump. Now what could a win against Pittsburgh do?

The latest College Football Playoff rankings provided more clarity for how the bracket (pictured below) may shake out ahead of a huge set of showdowns in Week 14.🔗:https://t.co/YWhQNyfMQU#collegefootball#NCAAFootball#CFBPlayoffpic.twitter.com/8VYwrjwrz4

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports)November 26, 2025

13. Utah: A+

Utah'sspot always felt confusing, but there seems to be clarity theUteshave reached their ceiling and need a lot of help.

14. Vanderbilt: B

Would a win over Tennessee do anything forVanderbiltto get into the field? It doesn't feel likely.

15. Michigan: F

Certainly interesting to moveMichiganup so much considering it doesn't have a ranked win. It feels like beating Ohio State gets the Wolverines in.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) tries to avoid the tackle of Michigan State defensive lineman Derrick Simmons (98) during their game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

16. Texas: D-

Even moving up a spot,Texasgot jumped past Michigan, which should enrage the Longhorns. They've got a chance against Texas A&M to make their case but that's a lot of ground to make up.

17. Southern California: C-

The committee was gracious in not droppingUSCdown too many spots when it was justified to do so.

18. Virginia: B

The win over Duke in Week 12 was notable, but the ACC title is the only viable way for theCavaliersto get in.

19. Tennessee: C-

Still without a signature win, theVolunteerscontinue to make other teams look good by being ranked in the top 20.

20.Arizona State: B-

The only team to beat Texas Tech has played well recently, andArizona Statecan add another key win in the battle for the Territorial Cup.

21. Southern Methodist: A-

Being ranked helped with seeding shouldSMUfind its way back into the field. However, the earlier losses turned out to be worse than when they happened.

22. Pittsburgh: A+

It was a complete performance in the win over Georgia Tech, and it kept thePanthersalive in the ACC race.

23. Georgia Tech: D+

It's a big drop for theYellow Jackets, and even without any notable wins, it's hard to justify.

24. Tulane: C+

Tulanewas likely hoping to move up to create some distance from any other Group of Five candidates, but it looks like they still have a healthy margin to win and get in.

25. Arizona: B-

This one feels pretty random over some worthy Group of Five teams, but theWildcatshave played well in this four-game win streak.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College Football Playoff rankings grades: Michigan an F, Oregon an A

 

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