The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season revealed a heavy SEC presence, with the conference placing five teams inside the top 11, while the Big Ten and Big 12 each have only two teams in playoff position.
Alabama, Kentucky and Texas occupy spots 5 through 7, underscoring the committee's high regard for the SEC and widening the conference's path to the playoff. Conversely, Ohio State fell to 12th after its loss to USC, becoming the first team out of the projected bracket and leaving the Buckeyes with no margin for error.
Notre Dame sits 11th and must prove its worth against No. 1 Miami this Saturday. The rankings have prompted a significant recalibration of national championship odds.
National Championship Odds Movement
Georgia remains the favorite at +330, followed by Notre Dame at +550 and Miami at +600. SEC teams that won last week saw their odds shorten considerably: LSU moved from +1000 to +750, Texas from +1400 to +1100, Alabama from +1100 to +1000, Ole Miss from +2000 to +1600, and Kentucky from +8000 to +6000. Ohio State was the biggest loser, dropping from +500 to +1400 after its loss and fall in the rankings. Indiana also slid from +850 to +1000 after another overtime escape. Undefeated Utah and UCLA remain longshots at +3000 and +4500 respectively.
