The college football landscape was turned on its head this past weekend as a series of dramatic upsets and nail-biting finishes sent shockwaves through the nation’s top rankings. With conference championships decided and the latest US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 released, fans and analysts alike are buzzing about what’s next for the College Football Playoff (CFP). At the heart of the excitement: Indiana’s stunning Big Ten Championship victory, Duke’s overtime heroics in the ACC, and Oklahoma’s steady rise into the top eight, setting the stage for a postseason loaded with intrigue.
Let’s start in Indianapolis, where the Big Ten Championship game delivered a result few could have predicted. On December 6, 2025, No. 2 Indiana toppled No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 at Lucas Oil Stadium, clinching their first outright Big Ten title since 1967 and snapping a decades-long drought against the Buckeyes—their last win over Ohio State came all the way back in 1988. The Hoosiers, long considered underdogs in the conference, seized their moment with a performance that will be remembered for generations.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the man of the hour for Indiana. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 222 yards, tossing one touchdown and one interception. His poise under pressure was evident, especially in a matchup that pitted him against Ohio State’s highly touted Julian Sayin. Sayin, for his part, went 21-of-29 for 258 yards, matching Mendoza with one touchdown and one interception. But it was Mendoza’s ability to make plays when it mattered most that ultimately tipped the scales in Indiana’s favor.
For Indiana, this victory was more than just a game—it was a statement to the college football world. According to the updated US LBM Coaches Poll, Indiana now sits atop the rankings with 61 first-place votes, while the AP Top 25 awarded them 66 first-place votes. Georgia, another perennial powerhouse, follows at No. 2 with one first-place vote in the Coaches Poll, and Ohio State, despite the loss, rounds out the top three in both major polls. The Hoosiers’ rise to No. 1 is a testament to their resilience and the program’s upward trajectory under the current coaching regime.
Looking back, Indiana’s last Big Ten title was as co-champions in 1967—a time when the landscape of college football was vastly different. Their last victory over Ohio State came in 1988, when Anthony Thompson, a Heisman hopeful, ran wild for 190 yards and four touchdowns. This year’s squad, led by Mendoza, has now etched its own chapter in Hoosier lore, and the campus in Bloomington is alive with celebration and anticipation for what comes next.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) delivered its own brand of chaos at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Duke, entering the ACC Championship as an underdog against No. 16 Virginia, pulled off a dramatic 27-20 overtime victory. Quarterback Darian Mensah found Jeremiah Hasley for a 1-yard touchdown in the first overtime, then the Blue Devils’ defense sealed the win with an interception on a Virginia trick play. The win marked the end of a rollercoaster season for Duke, who finished 8-5 but, despite their heroics, are not projected to make the 12-team College Football Playoff. Their absence could leave the ACC without a representative in the CFP, a scenario that would have seemed unthinkable just weeks ago.
“The ACC has been unpredictable throughout the 2025 college football season. Why should conference championship week be any different?” quipped an ESPN analyst, capturing the sentiment of fans who have watched the conference twist and turn all year. With Duke’s win, the door may open for Group of Five champions like James Madison or Tulane to leapfrog the Blue Devils in the final playoff rankings, further fueling the debate over the CFP selection process.
In the updated polls, Duke received votes but did not crack the top 25, while Virginia slipped after their defeat. Indiana’s dominance was reflected again, with the Hoosiers holding the No. 1 spot, followed by Georgia and Ohio State. The rankings also highlighted the crowded field of contenders, with Texas Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all jockeying for position as bowl season approaches.
Turning to the College Football Playoff outlook, the picture is coming into focus—but not without a few surprises. The Week 16 rankings, released on December 7, 2025, confirmed Oklahoma’s place among the nation’s elite. The Sooners, with a 10-2 record, sit at No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, AP Poll, and CFP rankings. Their reward? A home showdown against No. 9 Alabama in the first round of the playoff—a matchup that promises fireworks and no shortage of storylines.
Oklahoma’s consistency this season has been impressive, as they’ve maintained a top-10 presence while navigating the gauntlet of a tough schedule. The Sooners’ rise is mirrored by other top programs, with Texas Tech (12-1), Oregon (11-1), and Ole Miss (11-1) all making strong cases for playoff consideration. The polls also recognize the achievements of teams like Notre Dame, Miami, BYU, and Vanderbilt, each of whom have posted double-digit win seasons and are poised for marquee bowl appearances.
The rankings also offer a glimpse into the shifting fortunes of traditional powers and upstarts alike. Alabama, despite a 10-3 mark, remains a dangerous opponent in the playoff bracket. Miami, Texas, Utah, and USC round out a deep field, while Group of Five darlings Tulane and James Madison continue to draw attention as potential disruptors. The polls are a testament to the depth and unpredictability of college football in 2025—no team can afford to take a week off, and every game carries postseason implications.
For fans tracking the polls, the movement among the top 25 offers plenty to discuss. Indiana’s leap to No. 1 is the headline, but Georgia and Ohio State remain within striking distance. Texas Tech and Oregon are both lurking, hoping for a slip-up that could vault them into the championship conversation. Oklahoma and Alabama’s impending clash is the talk of the town, with both programs boasting storied traditions and passionate fan bases.
As the dust settles from championship weekend, the focus now shifts to the College Football Playoff and the bowl season beyond. Will Indiana’s magical run continue? Can Oklahoma defend its home turf against Alabama? Will a Group of Five team crash the party and prove the doubters wrong? The only certainty is that college football fans are in for a thrilling ride as the postseason unfolds.
With upsets, controversy, and new contenders emerging, the 2025 season has delivered on every front. The latest rankings reflect a sport in constant motion, where history is made in an instant and every snap counts. As the playoff picture takes shape, the eyes of the nation remain glued to the gridiron, eager to see who will rise, who will fall, and who will seize the ultimate prize.