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2 winners, 3 losers from first College Football Playoff rankings: Alabama giant winner

The College Football Playoff committee’s first rankings sparked immediate debate, with Alabama emerging as the clear standout among two-loss teams. Ranked fifth, the Crimson Tide boast arguably the best loss column in the country, having fallen to No.

2 Georgia and No. 13 Tennessee—both top-tier SEC opponents.

Their inclusion above undefeated powerhouses like UCLA (8-0) and one-loss programs such as BYU, Kentucky, and Notre Dame underscored the committee’s confidence in their depth and resilience. Meanwhile, UCLA’s eighth-place finish drew criticism, as the Bruins’ dominant season—highlighted by a 27-0 win over Nevada—was overshadowed by the absence of their starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, raising questions about whether the committee penalized them for a single setback.

Texas, ranked seventh, also found itself in the spotlight for its trio of high-profile victories over Ohio State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Despite two losses, the Longhorns’ offensive firepower—led by quarterback Arch Manning—has set them apart, though their ranking remains a topic of discussion given the committee’s apparent emphasis on loss severity over sheer win totals.

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