Once again, the College Football Playoff committee's biggest debates won't focus on the top four teams, but those just behind them.
Each of top-ranked Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 TCU won in Week 12, and all in closer-than-anticipated fashion. Those outcomes should result in a static top four — the last time that will happen, considering the Buckeyes and Michigan play during Rivalry Week.
But a loss by Tennessee to unranked South Carolina dropped the Volunteers from No. 5, throwing into chaos a playoff race that looked fairly wrapped up. A host of teams including LSU, USC and Clemson, have new life.
As it stands, LSU should move to No. 5, with No. 6 USC taking over as the second team out. Both teams arguably control their destiny, with the Tigers taking on Texas A&M and then No. 1 Georgia in the SEC championship, and the Trojans taking on ranked opponents Notre Dame (regular-season finale) and Oregon (Pac-12 championship).
MORE: Watch the CFP rankings release live with fuboTV (free trial)
The final two weeks of competition before the final set of CFP rankings will be telling and — if this season is any indication — chaotic.
The Sporting News has everything you need to know about the fourth set of CFP rankings:
What time are the College Football Playoff rankings released?
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
The College Football Playoff committee will unveil the fourth set of 2022 rankings at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
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CFP rankings schedule 2022
The College Football Playoff will unveil its rankings every Tuesday for five consecutive weeks. The last set of rankings, which will follow conference championship weekend, will be revealed on Sunday, Dec. 4.
| Date | Time (ET) |
| Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 9 p.m.* |
| Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 4 | Noon |
* The third set of Playoff rankings was released between Kentucky-Michigan State and Duke-Kansas at the Champions Classic college basketball event.
MORE: CFP ranking schedule, release dates & more to know
How to watch the CFP selection show
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN App, fuboTV
The CFP committee will unveil its fourth set of rankings on ESPN. Streaming options for the announcement of the latest top 25 teams include the ESPN App and fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
MORE: Projected Week 12 CFP rankings
Projected CFP rankings: Who are the top four teams in college football?
1. Georgia (11-0)
2. Ohio State (11-0)
3. Michigan (11-0)
4. TCU (11-0)
Next two out:
5. LSU (9-2)
6. USC (10-1)
The projected top four teams will likely remain the same, with No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 TCU bookending No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan. This is the last week those rankings will remain the same, considering the Buckeyes and Wolverines will play in "The Game" on Saturday.
Tennessee's 63-38 loss to South Carolina dropped the Volunteers from contention and likely moved LSU and USC up to fifth and sixth, respectively. LSU is in a rare position to make the Playoff as a two-loss team: the Tigers could move to No. 4 after the Ohio State-Michigan game, and a win over top-ranked Georgia in the SEC championship game would vault them into the postseason.
