College Football Power Rankings: Conference Championship (2025)
We’ve finished the 2025 college football regular season schedule. Now, we’re in store for an exciting Conference Championship weekend on Friday and Saturday. The 12-team College Football Playoff looms large, with numerous top-ranked programs going head-to-head to either qualify or improve their playoff seeding.
I’m back with a brand new edition of my college football power rankings. This accounts for recent performances, roster, coaching staff, and a few other relevant factors.
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College Football Power Rankings: Conference Championship
| Team | Week 14 Rank | Conf. Champ Rank | Diff |
| Ohio State | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Indiana | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| Georgia | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| Texas Tech | 5 | 4 | +1 |
| Notre Dame | 6 | 5 | +1 |
| Oregon | 9 | 6 | +3 |
| Ole Miss | 8 | 7 | +1 |
| Oklahoma | 7 | 8 | -1 |
| Texas A&M | 2 | 9 | -7 |
| Vanderbilt | NA | 10 | +3 |
1. Ohio State
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day finally ended the team’s four-game losing drought to Michigan during rivalry week. Julian Sayin threw for three touchdowns and the Buckeyes’ top-ranked defense held the Wolverines without a touchdown in a dominant road win at Ann Arbor.
Now, Ohio State heads to the Big Ten Championship Game to take on No. 2 Indiana. We’ll see which of these blue-blood Big Ten programs comes away with a victory, while the other will suffer its first loss of the season, although it’s very unlikely the loser falls out of College Football Playoff contention.
2. Indiana
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza helped the Hoosiers’ offense rout Purdue 56-3 on the road in Week 14. Head coach Curt Cignetti’s team ranks second in scoring offense and scoring defense, while overcoming three late deficits on the road this season.
Ohio State beat Indiana soundly during the regular season last year. This, however, is a revamped Hoosiers roster that will look to make a statement in Indianapolis on Saturday night.
3. Georgia
I’m bullish on Georgia as it heads into the SEC Championship Game in a rematch against Alabama. The Bulldogs’ lone loss came at home to the Crimson Tide, falling short 24-21, after holding Alabama to seven points in the second half.
Kirby Smart is a veteran head coach with a winning pedigree. QB Gunner Stockton is a versatile dual-threat, while the Bulldogs’ defense ranks 12th in the nation for points allowed per game.
As long as Georgia avoids falling into a double-digit deficit as it did against Alabama earlier this season, I expect the Bulldogs to win outright. A loss likely won’t eliminate Georgia, as there are several two-loss teams in contention for the playoffs, but I still anticipate an aggressive game plan to get the victory in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon.
4. Texas Tech
The Big 12 may be in the shadow of the SEC and Big Ten conferences, but Texas Tech is a powerhouse that no opponent wants to face in the playoffs. Led by LB Jacob Rodriguez, who has played his way into the Heisman Trophy race, the Red Raiders prepare for a high-stakes rematch against No. 11 BYU in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Offensively, head coach Joey McGuire’s team is third in points scored per game. QB Behren Morton and RB Cameron Dickey provide a well-balanced offensive attack, while the defense is stout, limiting opponents to 11.2 points per game, ranked third in the country.
Coming off a 49-0 shutout win over West Virginia on the road, expect Texas Tech to roll right into its first College Football Playoff.
5. Notre Dame
After a 0-2 start, few expected Notre Dame to win 10 straight games. While the schedule has been winnable since those losses to Miami (FL) and Texas A&M, the Fighting Irish have their sights set on a National Championship after losing in the title game to Ohio State last season.
RB Jeremiyah Love remains the focal point of the offense, while freshman QB CJ Carr has been a nice addition. Head coach Marcus Freeman is among the best in the country, and the Fighting Irish have hung 49 or more points on three of their last four opponents.
Without any ties to a conference, Notre Dame will be relaxing during Conference Championship weekend. Expect Freeman and company to watch these games to size up the field before they head back into the College Football Playoff.
6. Oregon
Oregon is eyeing up its second straight College Football Playoff appearance after completing an 11-1 regular season. The Ducks have a top-ten scoring offense and defense, while QB Dante Moore benefits from a stable of talented running backs.
Oregon’s biggest win came against Penn State in overtime, while they also grinded out an 18-16 road win over Iowa in early November. Their 12-point win over a scrappy Washington team on the road during rivalry week signals that the Ducks are trending up and prepared to make a run under head coach Dan Lanning.
7. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU has left Ole Miss and its 11-1 record hanging in the dust. The Rebels will still punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff, with a signature win on the road against No. 8 Oklahoma.
QB Trinidad Chambliss is a talented passer, while workhorse RB Kewan Lacy leads the rushing attack. Defense is where Ole Miss holds its biggest vulnerability, allowing five different conference opponents to score at least 23 points.
It’ll be fun to track Ole Miss in its unique situation during the program’s first College Football Playoff berth.
8. Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Sooners rely on one of the nation’s best defenses to grind down opponents and win games under head coach Brent Venables. On offense, QB John Mateer helms the attack, although the production has not been as consistent compared to earlier in the season.
Mateer’s thumb injury, which led to a mid-season procedure, certainly justifies a dip in the offense. However, Oklahoma will need to find ways to get into the end zone if it wants to make a run at the National Championship, currently ranked 80th in points scored per game (26.4) this season.
9. Texas A&M
Texas A&M couldn’t complete a perfect regular season record, falling on the road to the surging Texas Longhorns, 27-17, during rivalry week. The Aggies, led by QB Marcel Reed, rank 16th in scoring offense under head coach Mike Elko. They are another program set to make their first trip to the College Football Playoff.
On defense, Texas A&M needs to find ways to stop the run, allowing over 6.0 YPC to Missouri and Texas in the last four weeks. The Aggies also fell into a massive deficit against a downtrodden South Carolina team before completing a historic rally to avoid a bad loss.
The biggest win of the season came in Week 2 on the road against Notre Dame. Reed and the Aggies’ offense will need to stay productive in the College Football Playoff to counter a defense that tends to give up explosive plays.
10. Vanderbilt
Diego Pavia’s Heisman Trophy campaign is all the way back following his highly productive performance in a road win over Tennessee. The Commodores have two losses to Alabama and Texas, but boast the nation’s eighth-ranked scoring offense.
Defensively, Vanderbilt is weaker, allowing four different opponents to score 30 or more points. Pavia’s dual-threat ability will be leaned on heavily if the Commodores make their College Football Playoff debut, while currently sitting 14th in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for BettingPros and FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.
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