The College Football Playoff (CFP) picture is constantly shifting, and this week's rankings have delivered some serious surprises – and disappointments. For some teams, the dream of a national championship is getting closer, while for others, it's fading fast. Let's dive into the three biggest takeaways from the latest CFP rankings, released on November 18, 2025, and what they mean for teams in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
1. North Texas's Uphill Battle: So Close, Yet So Far?
It's been a historic season for the North Texas Mean Green! They finally cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1959, signaling a resurgence for the program. But here's where it gets controversial... while the AP poll is great for bragging rights, it's the CFP rankings that truly matter when it comes to playoff aspirations. And unfortunately, UNT was nowhere to be found in the committee's Top 25 this week. Tulane, another Group of Five team, snagged the No. 24 spot, highlighting the challenge UNT faces.
What does this mean for the Mean Green's path to the playoff? It's complicated. If UNT wins its remaining regular-season games against Rice and Temple, they'll secure a spot in the American Conference championship game, potentially setting up a showdown with Tulane. A conference championship would certainly boost their resume.
And this is the part most people miss... even if UNT wins out, their playoff fate isn't entirely in their hands. James Madison, currently dominating in the Sun Belt Conference, is also vying for that coveted Group of Five spot. The committee's perception of UNT compared to James Madison will be crucial. All Coach Eric Morris and his team can do is keep winning and hope the committee sees them as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.
2. Is the Texas Longhorns' Playoff Dream Officially Dead?
The Longhorns' playoff hopes took a major hit after their lopsided 35-10 loss to Georgia. A closer game might have kept them in the conversation, but the committee clearly wasn't impressed, dropping them to No. 17. Ouch!
To even have a glimmer of hope, Texas needs to win their final two games against Arkansas and, more importantly, No. 3 Texas A&M. But even then, it's likely they'll need a lot of help. Texas fans should be rooting hard for teams ranked ahead of them to stumble in these final weeks. It's a long shot, but stranger things have happened in college football. The question remains, though: Was the Georgia loss a fluke, or does it expose deeper issues within the team? Some analysts believe the Longhorns' offensive struggles are a major red flag, regardless of their final record.
3. Oklahoma Controls Their Own Destiny
While Texas's playoff chances are dwindling, things are looking much brighter for the Oklahoma Sooners. Their impressive road victory over then-No. 4 Alabama has put them squarely in the driver's seat for a playoff berth. If Oklahoma can take care of business at home against No. 22 Missouri and LSU, they're virtually guaranteed a spot in the CFP. The Sooners' path is clear: win, and they're in!
As for other local teams, Texas A&M and Texas Tech held their ground in the rankings. Texas Tech actually moved up to No. 5 after Alabama's loss, showcasing their strong season. However, the focus remains on Oklahoma and their clear path to the playoffs.
Full CFP Rankings (November 18, 2025):
Rank | Team | Record | Previous Ranking
---|---|---|---
1 | Ohio State | 10-0 | 1
2 | Indiana | 11-0 | 2
3 | Texas A&M | 10-0 | 3
4 | Georgia | 9-1 | 5
5 | Texas Tech | 10-1 | 6
6 | Ole Miss | 10-1 | 7
7 | Oregon | 9-1 | 8
8 | Oklahoma | 8-2 | 11
9 | Notre Dame | 8-2 | 9
10 | Alabama | 8-2 | 4
11 | BYU | 9-1 | 12
12 | Utah | 8-2 | 13
13 | Miami | 8-2 | 15
14 | Vanderbilt | 8-2 | 14
15 | USC | 8-2 | 17
16 | Georgia Tech | 9-1 | 16
17 | Texas | 7-3 | 10
18 | Michigan | 8-2 | 18
19 | Virginia | 9-2 | 19
20 | Tennessee | 7-3 | 23
21 | Illinois | 7-3 | NR
22 | Missouri | 7-3 | NR
23 | Houston | 8-2 | NR
24 | Tulane | 8-2 | NR
25 | Arizona State | 7-3 | NR
What do YOU think? Are the CFP rankings fair to Group of Five teams like North Texas? Is there any hope left for Texas, or should Longhorns fans focus on next season? And can Oklahoma live up to the hype and secure their playoff spot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
