Those modest rankings for the Trojans, Hawkeyes, Wolverines and Huskies make their paths to the playoff fairly clear; they will likely need to win out and finish the regular season at 10-2 in order to clinch a berth.

The Michigan football team knows that it can make the playoffs if it wins out. That's why the Wolverines aren't concerned by the CFP rankings.

With the first College Football Playoff rankings released and Ohio State sitting at No. 1, the equation for success is straightforward. The Buckeyes don’t just control their own destiny; they have a clear map to the top seed in the playoff and every trophy they could desire.

Vote in our Ohio State football poll deciding if fans would rather beat Michigan or win another national championship in the college football season.

Kalamazoo United senior Keegan McCue (12) and senior Jackson Herder (7) lead their team onto the field before a D5 first round playoff game at Mattawan High School on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Kalamazoo United defeated Hopkins, 41-20. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)