The undefeated Buckeyes (8-0), who entered the week as the top team in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls, earned the committee’s respect based on a combination of dominance and key victories. Ohio State’s resume includes a season-opening win over then-No. 1 Texas and a crucial road victory at Washington.
Following Ohio State in the top three are two other unblemished teams: No. 2 Indiana (9-0) and No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0). This ordering suggests the 12-person committee prioritized Ohio State and Indiana’s strong defensive metrics and consistent blowout wins over Texas A&M’s slightly tougher schedule.
CFP committee chair Mack Rhoades pointed to defensive data as a key separator. “I think statistically when we looked at A&M defensively, they’re just lower than both Ohio State and Indiana,” Rhoades said. “We had to make a hard decision, and you’re trying to find separators, and that was a separator for us.”
The Top Four and the Expanded Field
Rounding out the crucial top four spots—which would secure a first-round bye if the season ended today—is No. 4 Alabama (7-1). The first full top 12 of the expanded playoff era includes:
