Georgia Tech climbed to No. 16 in the College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s third rankings of the 2025 season, a surprising surge that has fans in Atlanta buzzing with playoff dreams. The Yellow Jackets, now 9-1 after a dominant win over North Carolina, are one of just three teams in the top 20 with a single loss — and the only one not in the Power Five’s traditional elite. The rankings, released on November 18, 2025, came just hours after Texas tumbled to No. 17 following a 35-10 drubbing by Georgia, a result that opened the door for Georgia Tech to leapfrog the Longhorns. College Football Playoff hopes, once considered distant, now feel tangible.
A Quiet Rise in the Shadow of Powerhouses
Georgia Tech didn’t make headlines with a flashy win. They didn’t play a top-10 team. But they kept winning — methodically, consistently, without drama. Their lone loss came in overtime against Clemson in September, a game where they led by 14 in the third quarter. Since then, they’ve outscored opponents 248-83, including a 42-10 demolition of Miami and a 31-17 road win at Virginia Tech. Their offense, led by quarterback Quentin Williams, has found rhythm with a balanced attack: 180 rushing yards per game, 190 passing. Their defense, anchored by All-ACC linebacker Malik Boone, ranks 12th nationally in tackles for loss.Meanwhile, teams ahead of them — like Texas (7-3), Michigan (8-2), and Tennessee (7-3) — have stumbled. Texas lost to Georgia. Michigan lost to Ohio State. Tennessee lost to Alabama. Georgia Tech, by contrast, has won every game by at least 11 points since October 5. "They’re not flashy," said ESPN analyst David Cutcliffe. "But they’re clean. They don’t beat themselves. That’s what the committee notices."
ACC Championship: The Only Path Forward
Georgia Tech’s path to the College Football Playoff runs straight through the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship. Currently, the Yellow Jackets trail Virginia (9-2) and Miami (8-2) in the Coastal Division standings. But here’s the twist: if Georgia Tech beats Pittsburgh this Saturday and Virginia beats Virginia Tech next week, the two will meet in the ACC title game on December 7 — the same day the final CFP rankings drop.That’s no accident. The committee’s decision-making hinges on conference champions. With five automatic bids reserved for top-ranked conference winners, Georgia Tech’s 9-1 record gives them a better resume than several teams ranked above them — including 8-2 Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Alabama. But without a conference title, they’re stuck. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives them a 35.3% chance to win the ACC, the highest among non-Power Five teams still alive. "They’re the best 9-1 team in the country," said John Brannen, a former ACC executive. "If they win out, and Virginia stumbles, they’re in. No debate."
Who’s Ahead — And Why They’re Still Ahead
The top five — Ohio State (10-0), Indiana (11-0), Texas A&M (10-0), Georgia (9-1), and Texas Tech (10-1) — all have either undefeated records or one loss to a top-10 team. Georgia Tech’s loss to Clemson was to a team now ranked 18th. Their strength of schedule is 32nd nationally. That’s the gap. The committee values quality wins. Georgia Tech’s best win? A 24-17 road win over Miami in October. Miami is now 8-2. It’s good. But not elite.Still, the committee has shown signs of flexibility. In 2023, Utah made the playoff with a 10-2 record and a win over a 12th-ranked team. In 2022, Cincinnati, a Group of Five team, cracked the top four. Georgia Tech’s case is stronger than both. Their only loss came to a top-5 team. They’ve won their last six games by an average of 21.5 points. They’re not just winning — they’re dominating. "It’s not about the brand," said a committee member anonymously to The Athletic. "It’s about what’s on the field. And Georgia Tech’s been on the field every week."
What’s Next: The Final Countdown
Georgia Tech’s final regular season game is against Pittsburgh on November 23, 2025. A win there, and they’ll be 10-1. A win over Virginia in the ACC title game on December 7, 2025, and they’ll be 11-1 with a conference crown. That’s enough to jump into the top 12 — maybe even top 10.The College Football Playoff First Round games will be played on December 20-21, 2025, with higher seeds hosting. Quarterfinals follow on December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026. The semifinals are set for the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 8 and 9, 2026. The national title game? Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 19, 2026.
Georgia Tech hasn’t played for a national title since 1990. But this year? They’ve got a shot. And for the first time in decades, Atlanta isn’t just dreaming — it’s preparing.
Background: The Long Road Back
Georgia Tech hasn’t won a conference title since 2009. Their last top-10 finish was in 2014. Since then, they’ve cycled through five head coaches and endured three losing seasons. But under current head coach Geoff Collins, who took over in 2022, the program has stabilized. The offense now runs a modernized triple option — a nod to their history, but with spread elements. The defense, once porous, is now disciplined. Attendance at Bobby Dodd Stadium has jumped 22% since 2023. The student body is back. The alumni are donating. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a revival.And now, after a decade of rebuilding, Georgia Tech stands on the edge of something historic. One win over Pittsburgh. One win over Virginia. One final ranking on December 7. That’s all it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Georgia Tech make the College Football Playoff without winning the ACC?
It’s extremely unlikely. The CFP selection committee prioritizes conference champions, especially in the expanded 12-team format. Georgia Tech’s 9-1 record is better than several teams ranked above them, but without an ACC title, they’d be competing against undefeated or one-loss Power Five teams with stronger schedules. Their best shot is winning the ACC — then letting their resume speak for itself.
How does Georgia Tech’s strength of schedule compare to other top-20 teams?
Georgia Tech’s strength of schedule is ranked 32nd nationally, significantly lower than teams like Ohio State (No. 5), Indiana (No. 8), and Texas A&M (No. 12). Their toughest opponent so far was Clemson, now ranked 18th. This is their biggest hurdle — the committee rewards wins against elite competition. But if they win the ACC, that loss to Clemson and their dominant wins over Miami and Virginia Tech could outweigh the weaker schedule.
What happens if Georgia Tech wins out but Virginia loses to Virginia Tech?
If Virginia loses, Georgia Tech would likely clinch the Coastal Division and face Miami in the ACC title game. A win there would still give them a 11-1 record and a conference championship — enough to likely crack the top 12. But if they lose to Miami, their playoff hopes vanish. The committee has shown it values conference titles over raw records, even if the record is better.
Why is Georgia Tech ranked ahead of Texas despite having fewer wins?
Texas lost to Georgia, a top-4 team, but also to Kansas State and Oklahoma State — both now unranked. Georgia Tech’s only loss was to Clemson, a top-10 team at the time. More importantly, Georgia Tech has won its last six games by an average of 21.5 points. Texas has lost two of its last three. The committee doesn’t just count wins — they judge momentum, quality of opponent, and consistency. Georgia Tech’s winning streak is more impressive than Texas’s.
Has any team with a 9-1 record ever made the College Football Playoff?
Yes — in 2021, Cincinnati (9-1) made the playoff as a Group of Five champion. In 2022, Alabama (9-1) made it as a SEC champion. Georgia Tech’s case is similar: a 9-1 record with a conference title and a strong finish. The key difference? They’re not in the SEC or Big Ten. But the expanded playoff was designed to give these teams a fair shot. This is their moment to prove it.
Where does Georgia Tech stand historically among ACC teams in the CFP era?
Since the CFP began in 2014, only Florida State (2014, 2016) and Clemson (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) have made the playoff from the ACC. Georgia Tech has never made it. A 2025 berth would be historic — the first for the Yellow Jackets since the BCS era. It would also signal a new era for the ACC, proving that even programs without massive TV deals can compete at the highest level.