Cover 3 College Football Podcast

Episode: NEW 2025 CFP Rankings Reaction: Oregon Jumps Ole Miss, Miami Creeps Up | College Football

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell, Bud Elliott

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Cover 3 crew reacts live to the newly released 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. The main discussion centers on Oregon’s jump over Ole Miss, Miami’s upward movement, and the implications for teams on the playoff bubble. The hosts dive deep into the process and logic (or lack thereof) behind the committee's decisions, offer critiques, and speculate on who still has a path to the playoff. The conversation is laden with humor, insider commentary, and a candid look at the playoff selection process.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Real-Time Reaction to Live Rankings Reveal

• Oregon Jumps Ole Miss: The panel immediately notes Oregon has leapfrogged Ole Miss in the latest rankings, mirroring changes seen in other polls. This sparks debate about the logic behind such moves and the committee’s consistency.
  • "My prediction is Oregon will jump Ole Miss again. Same as the AP Top 25." (Chip, 05:04)
  • "The Ducks checking in at number six... there it is." (Chip, 14:38)
• Miami Creeps Up: Miami's steady climb in the rankings is highlighted, especially as Pitt’s new ranking makes Miami’s recent victory look stronger.
  • "Now that Pitt is ranked. That's a ranked win... Two spots away. Canes.” (Chip, 11:02)
• Newly Ranked Teams: Notable entrants into the top 25 include Pitt and Arizona, which have significant implications for resumes and future matchups.

2. Questioning the Value and Purpose of Weekly Rankings Shows

• The hosts jokingly question whether the CFP committee’s weekly reveal is necessary, or just a TV event designed for drama and debate.
  • "Is it too late for us to stop doing the weekly reveals?...We could have all the same discussions without having to create the idea of this clandestine committee that holds us hostage for 47 minutes." (Chip, 05:41)
  • "I don't think we need this exercise anymore. I don't know if we need it on television anymore." (Danny, 29:27)

3. Committee Criticism & Suggestions for Reform

• The group is critical of the committee's methods, especially perceived lack of consistency and overemphasis on win-loss over strength of schedule (SOS).
  • "Further confirmation that the SOS don't mean crap if you have more losses." (Tom, 10:10)
  • "You just look at the resume and you say, yep, that one is better than that one… that's the perfect solution." (Danny on blind resume ranking, 12:45)
• Light-hearted solutions, like making committee members blindfold themselves and use only blind resumes, are discussed in jest but underscore real frustration.

4. Bubble Watch: Teams Rising, Falling, and Playoff Math

• Hosts analyze shifting playoff paths for numerous teams:
  • Miami: Now positioned to benefit further if Auburn upsets Alabama and BYU loses in the Big 12 title game.
    • "This was a good rankings release for the Miami Hurricanes." (Chip, 22:21)
  • Notre Dame: Hopes for the “status quo” and for Pitt to beat Miami in order to bolster their résumé.
    • "If Pitt could pull off an upset for Notre Dame, that'd be great too. That's what you want..." (Tom, 27:48)
  • Georgia: Hypothetical debate on whether a three-loss Georgia could still make the playoff if certain results fall their way.
    • "I think Georgia can lose to Georgia Tech and in the SEC championship game being officially a three loss team...I think Georgia is lock." (Chip, 23:27)
  • BYU and Texas Tech: “Bid thief” scenarios if either wins the Big 12, potentially bumping a major at-large contender out.

5. Group of Five (G5) and ACC Disrespect

• Frustration at apparent committee dismissal of G5 and certain Power 5 teams (notably from the ACC).
  • "They really, really hate the group of five. They really, really do." (Tom, 09:15)
  • "And the ACC. Yeah, they view those the same." (Danny, 09:26)

6. The Human Element: Humor & Inside Baseball

• The hosts’ banter touches on their personal lives, their families' football allegiances, and running gags about the show’s loyal listeners.
  • "It's the holidays and we can't spend any time with our family because these damn kids in Maui can't play basketball fast enough." (Tom, 29:34)
  • "You know what I really want...is if we get somebody to do us as babies. Have you seen the really good AI baby videos?" (Danny, 30:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Committee Transparency & TV:

  • "I think it would make way more sense...to put on blindfolds...and use blind resumes to rank the teams. Tell me that's not the perfect solution." (Danny, 12:30)
  • “The committee does not really care about strength of schedule like they said they would. That’s all. You can put your pants back on and stop soiling your diaper.” (Tom, 11:45)

• Re: Playoff Bubble & Bid Thieves:

  • “The bid thief situation that is real is BYU. I don’t see another one...But Texas Tech wins the Big 12, that's another at large spot. BYU wins the Big 12, somebody's getting squeezed out and it might be Notre Dame.” (Chip, 27:17)

• On Georgia’s Secure Place (or Not):

  • "You cannot create an environment where being in the championship game is a bad thing, even though it kind of is already." (Danny, 25:54)

• G5 Disrespect:

  • "They're just sticking with the one. So, I'm sorry, I'm correct, but I really don't think James Madison has a shot." (Tom, 29:01)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Oregon Over Ole Miss Ranking Prediction & Reaction: 05:04, 14:38
• Live Reaction as Miami Moves Up: 11:00–11:14
• Committee Weekly Reveal Debate: 05:37–07:46, 29:27–30:04
• Blind Resume/Blindfolded Committee Joke: 12:12–13:59
• Miami’s Playoff Path: 22:21–22:47
• Notre Dame’s Slim Hopes: 27:44–28:04
• SEC/Georgia Discussion: 23:27–24:44
• Bid Thief Scenarios: 27:17–27:44
• Finishing Thoughts on Need for Rankings Shows: 29:27–30:22

Final Takeaways

• Oregon’s Ascension & Miami’s Creep: The panel broadly agrees both were deserved, noting the ripple effects for the playoff picture.
• TV-Driven Drama: The weekly CFP rankings show is critiqued as unnecessary, particularly now that debates could be fueled by independent bracketologists and analytics.
• Committee’s Logic in Question: Several rankings and policies—especially around strength of schedule, conference championship consequences, and G5 representation—are heavily critiqued.
• Playoff Bubble Is Still Fluid: Miami, Notre Dame, and potential “bid thieves” like BYU remain in play, with scenarios shifting weekly.

In the words of Tom Fornelli:
"The show is AI. We're not real. None of this is real." (30:30)

Use this episode as your cheat sheet for the CFP rankings, the playoff outlook as it stands, and which grievances are most justified.