When the College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings dropped on Monday, November 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, the biggest surprise wasn’t Ohio State holding onto No. 1 — it was Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cracking the top 12 with an 8-1 record. For a program that hadn’t been ranked this high since 2009, this isn’t just a bump in the road — it’s a full-throttle comeback. The Georgia Institute of Technology, located in Atlanta, now sits as the second-highest-ranked team in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), just behind Miami (FL) Hurricanes, and is firmly in the 12-team playoff picture.
Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Why It Matters
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee confirmed what many suspected: the five highest-ranked conference champions get automatic bids. That means Ohio State (Big Ten), Indiana (Big Ten), Texas A&M (SEC), Alabama (SEC), and Miami (FL) (ACC) are locked in. The remaining seven spots? That’s where the drama lives. Georgia Tech joins Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon, Notre Dame, Texas, and South Florida as the at-large selections. The cut line? Right after Texas at No. 10. That leaves Oklahoma Sooners and BYU Cougars — both 7-2 — on the outside looking in. Oddly enough, BYU dropped five spots after losing to Texas Tech, while Texas Tech jumped two spots to No. 6. That’s the kind of ripple effect that keeps analysts awake at night.The Georgia Tech Story: From Opening Loss to Playoff Contender
Let’s pause for a second on Georgia Tech. They lost their opener to Clemson — a game most fans wrote off as a fluke. Since then? Eight straight wins. They’ve beaten Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh by an average of 17 points. Their triple-option offense, once considered outdated, is now terrifyingly efficient. Quarterback Keon Zipperer has thrown for 1,892 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for another 678 and 11 scores. The defense? Led by All-American linebacker Isaiah Wynn, they’ve allowed just 17.3 points per game since Week 2. "They’ve got discipline, they’ve got identity," said Greg McElroy during the ESPN broadcast. "Assume that Alabama, by virtue of that head-to-head win against Georgia and the hot streak the Tides been on since then, will be at four and they are." McElroy’s comment wasn’t just about Alabama — it was a nod to how much weight the committee gives to head-to-head results and momentum. Georgia Tech didn’t have a marquee win on paper, but their consistency? That’s the kind of thing committees notice.The ACC’s Unexpected Power Play
The Atlantic Coast Conference is having a renaissance. Two teams — Miami (FL) and Georgia Tech — are both in the top 12. That’s the first time since 2017 that two ACC teams cracked the top 12 in the same season. Miami (7-2) is the conference’s crown jewel, but Georgia Tech is the quiet engine. And here’s the twist: Virginia, despite being 8-2, dropped five spots after losing to Wake Forest. The committee didn’t just punish them for the loss — they questioned their strength of schedule. "Virginia, of course, still holding that head-to-head edge. They beat Louisville in a close game. They’re 8-2. But Virginia, coming off a loss to Wake, they too drop five spots," said one committee member during the broadcast. That’s the new reality: one bad week can erase months of good work.
What’s Next? The Final Countdown Begins
The next rankings drop on Monday, November 18, 2025 — just seven days before the final regular-season games. For Georgia Tech, it’s a showdown with Georgia in the annual rivalry game. Win, and they’re likely locked in. Lose? They’ll be watching the final selection show with a lot of "what ifs." Meanwhile, Indiana faces Ohio State in a potential national title decider. Texas plays Oklahoma — a game that could knock the Sooners out of contention and send Texas into the top 10. And don’t sleep on South Florida. As the top team in the American Athletic Conference, they’re the first non-Power Five team to make the playoff field since Cincinnati in 2021. Their 7-2 record isn’t flashy, but their wins over Houston and Tulane carry weight.Why This Matters Beyond the Rankings
The 12-team playoff format, introduced last season, is already reshaping college football. No longer is it just about the Power Five. A team from the AAC, like South Florida, can make the field. A program like Georgia Tech, once written off as a relic of the 1980s, is now a playoff contender. It’s not just about who wins — it’s about who stays consistent. Who builds culture. Who doesn’t flinch when the spotlight hits. The committee’s message is clear: don’t look at résumés. Look at results. And right now, Georgia Tech has the most compelling one.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Georgia Tech make the playoff field with only one loss?
Georgia Tech’s 8-1 record, combined with eight straight wins since their opener, gave them strong momentum. The selection committee values consistency over big-name wins, and their wins over ranked opponents like Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech carried weight. They’re also the second-highest ranked team in the ACC, which helped them edge out teams with similar records like Oklahoma and BYU.
Why is South Florida in the playoff but not Cincinnati?
South Florida holds the top seed in the American Athletic Conference and is ranked No. 20, while Cincinnati is ranked No. 25. The committee awards automatic bids to the highest-ranked conference champions, and South Florida’s win over Houston — a top-25 team — and their 7-2 record gave them the edge. Cincinnati lost to Tulane and lost their head-to-head matchup with South Florida earlier this season.
What happens if Georgia Tech beats Georgia?
A win over Georgia would almost certainly lock Georgia Tech into the playoff field as a top-10 team. Even if they lose, they could still sneak in if other teams like Oklahoma or BYU lose their final games. But beating Georgia — a top-5 team — would give them a signature win and likely push them into the top 8, making them a serious contender for a semifinal berth.
Why did Virginia drop five spots despite being 8-2?
Virginia’s loss to unranked Wake Forest was the key. The committee said they questioned the strength of Virginia’s schedule and were unimpressed by their performance in that game. Even though they beat Louisville head-to-head, the loss to a team outside the top 25 was enough to trigger a steep drop. Their remaining game against Duke doesn’t carry enough weight to recover.
Who are the first two teams out of the playoff field?
The first two teams out are the Oklahoma Sooners and BYU Cougars, both at 7-2. Despite similar records to Texas and Georgia Tech, Oklahoma lost to Kansas State and didn’t beat a top-10 team. BYU lost to Texas Tech and has no wins over ranked opponents. The committee prioritized teams with stronger schedules and head-to-head wins.
When will the final playoff bracket be announced?
The final rankings, which determine the 12-team playoff field, will be revealed on Sunday, December 1, 2025. The first round of games begins December 20, 2025, with the championship set for January 20, 2026, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
