Georgia moves to No. 1 in second CFP rankings

01 · The NewsGeorgia Takes No. 1

Georgia moved to No. 1 in the second College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday, Nov. 10, after its 35-point road win over Ole Miss and Miami’s loss to Notre Dame changed the top of the field. Notre Dame made the bigger jump, rising from No. 11 to No. 5 and moving into position for a first-round home game.

CFP chair Hunter Yurachek said the committee had challenged Notre Dame to prove itself against Miami.

“We talked last week that Notre Dame had a lot of respect from the committee, a dominant team, but had yet to have the signature win, and they looked like the Notre Dame team that should be ranked No. 5. They were up 24-3 (on Miami),” Yurachek said.

Georgia’s rise also rested on the committee’s résumé metrics. The 8-1 Bulldogs rank first in game control and second in strength of record after the win at Ole Miss. They also have a 20-17 victory at Alabama, now ranked No. 3, and a 27-24 loss to Auburn on Oct. 17.

Utah is No. 2, followed by Alabama, UCLA and Notre Dame. UCLA climbed from No. 8 to No. 4 at 9-0. Boise State is No. 24, which would give the Broncos the final automatic qualifying spot from the Group of Six if the field were selected from this ranking.

Josh Pate’s preseason bracket had Georgia No. 1, Notre Dame No. 9 and Miami No. 11. Tuesday’s ranking reinforced the Georgia call, lifted Notre Dame four places above that projection and left Miami’s new position unsettled.

The next dated test among the teams at the top comes Friday, Nov. 13, when UCLA hosts Illinois. The full 12-team field, Georgia’s final position and a possible SEC Championship Game appearance remain unsettled, but Kirby Smart’s team leaves the second reveal with the committee’s top spot.

02 · The StakesWhy It Matters

Georgia has put the top seed and its playoff position in its hands. Notre Dame turned the signature win its résumé lacked into a realistic home-playoff path.

03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching