The College Football Playoff committee got something so wrong with the first CFP rankings of the 2025 season that even Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns fans came together in agreement.
The Sooners came in at No. 12 in the initial CFP rankings that were released on Tuesday evening. They were right behind Texas at No. 11, but OU fans couldn't even be mad about that since the two rivals are both 7-2 and Texas beat the Sooners head-to-head in the Red River Rivalry. However, the two rivals were both infuriated by a different two-loss team getting placed ahead of both of them.
Sooners and Texas both behind Fighting Irish in College Football Playoff rankings
The 6-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish got the No. 10 spot as the highest-ranked two-loss team in the CFP rankings ahead of OU and Texas. However, the Sooners and Longhorns both have one more victory, tougher strength of schedules and more ranked wins. Other than the old folks on the committee being enamored by shiny gold helmets, there's no reason for Notre Dame to be ranked ahead of OU or Texas.
BREAKING: Initial College Football Playoff Rankings🚨https://t.co/nSJbXtt30A pic.twitter.com/RsQCtcadOG
— On3 (@On3sports) November 5, 2025
This is also not the case where things will eventually work themselves out. The Sooners and Longhorns both still have two ranked opponents left on their schedule to get through. Notre Dame has zero, so the committee is holding the Fighting Irish's hand during their walk into the playoff.
In fact, Notre Dame will finish its season with three games against ranked teams and went 1-2 in them. The Sooners and Longhorns both have three ranked matchups in the month of November alone. And with wins last week, both also already have as many ranked victories this month as Notre Dame will have all season.
Not only should OU and Texas be ahead of Notre Dame right now, but both would even be more deserving with three losses. OU fans were rightly furious Tuesday evening with how the first CFP rankings shook out.
Someone explain to me why Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Miami, OU and Texas?
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) November 5, 2025
Why is Notre Dame ahead of us??? https://t.co/3j9Ww68sBT
— Barstool Sooners (@OUBarstool) November 5, 2025
We need to seriously question Notre Dame being ranked where they are
— Boomer Beamer (@ImDerBatman) November 5, 2025
Who is their best win?
Anybody can go out there and lose to elite teams
Why is ND 10? What have they accomplished this season to be ranked that high? https://t.co/b5qXvRT7x7
— christian (@Christianmccarr) November 5, 2025
Notre Dame is simply too high
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) November 5, 2025
Only win worth *anything* is beating USC at home
Oklahoma and Texas both have wins better than that and have played a far tougher schedule - and they have the same record
Honestly, Louisville should be above ND in the rankings.
— Sooner Storm (@SoonerStormCFB) November 5, 2025
It’s absurd the bias that’s fed to Notre Dame
And it's not just OU fans sipping on crimson Kool-Aid who believe Notre Dame's ranking is preposterous. It seems to be a consensus, except for the Notre Dame faithful and the committee.
Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Texas and Oklahoma. It's not just Miami. I think this year's Notre Dame team is the most mis-ranked team I've ever seen in the initial CFP Poll in a decade.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 5, 2025
Notre Dame at #10 is a joke.
— Jake Malasek (@jakemalasek) November 5, 2025
Virginia and Louisville both have better wins and fewer losses.
If Notre Dame ran out there every Saturday wearing Minnesota’s jersey’s they’d be outside the top 20.
Notre Dame ranked No. 10 -- that's good for Texas A&M but bad for America.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 5, 2025
"(The committee) doesn't watch these games.
"They got YouTubeTV, as well."
😂
Full show: https://t.co/SjTRtgzZEz pic.twitter.com/FrToRrTQOm