It’s November, the leaves are turning, and college football’s playoff countdown has officially begun. The selection committee has released its first rankings of 2025, and yes, the usual suspects are there,

The Longhorns already had two losses under their belt in matchups against Ohio State and Florida. Overtime wins over SEC bottom-feeders Kentucky and Mississippi State only added to the frustration. Oklahoma lost to Texas and dropped at home against Ole Miss two weeks later as the offense grinded to a halt.

Crimson Tide leaders prioritize sustained performance over rankings, vowing to finish the season strong and silence critics.