College Football Playoff: Texas unranked, Big 12 inching closer to final four

Texas dropped out of the CFP rankings after losing to Iowa State. The Cyclones moved up, giving them the conference’s best shot at the CFP.

After Texas’ loss to Iowa State on Black Friday, the Longhorns have dropped out of the College Football Playoff rankings. Tom Herman’s squad was ranked No. 17 in the initial rankings.

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Iowa State was ranked behind Oklahoma in last Tuesday’s poll but jumps ahead of the Sooners with their win. Ranked at No. 9, the Cyclones currently hold the conference’s best shot at making the playoff.

Having a chance and actually making it is a completely different story. Losses from teams such as Cincinnati, Ohio State, Miami, and even Northwestern would be required for the Cyclones to even have a compelling argument.

Assuming Iowa State wins the Big 12, their resume would include two wins over Oklahoma and a road win over a ranked Texas team. Yes, it will be a long shot for the Cyclones to get into the playoff but this is college football.

Crazier things have happened.

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State round out the rest of the Big 12. The Sooners are No. 11 after their game cancelation and the Cowboys are No. 15 after a home win against Texas Tech.

Both teams have two regular-season games remaining, pending COVID-19 issues.

Here is the full top 25:

  1. Alabama
  2. Notre Dame
  3. Clemson
  4. Ohio State
  5. Texas A&M
  6. Florida
  7. Cincinnati
  8. Georgia
  9. Iowa State
  10. Miami
  11. Oklahoma
  12. Indiana
  13. BYU
  14. Northwestern
  15. Oklahoma State
  16. Wisconsin
  17. North Carolina
  18. Coastal Carolina
  19. Iowa
  20. USC
  21. Marshall
  22. Washington
  23. Oregon
  24. Tulsa
  25. Lousiana

If these were the final rankings, here is how the College Football Playoff would look:

Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs No. 4 Ohio State

Rose Bowl: No. 2 Notre Dame vs No. 3 Clemson

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