🏈 BetNow Sports: Week 14 College Football Power Rankings & Biggest Surprises

As the regular season wraps up and the playoff picture sharpens, Week 14 delivered major statements, shocking performances, and a few new names that nobody expected to see dominating the national conversation. From resurgent defenses to breakout quarterbacks and unstoppable ground games, the top 15 teams showed exactly why they’re still in the hunt.

Here’s the BetNow breakdown of how Week 14 unfolded — and which teams left us stunned.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (No change)

Ohio State didn’t just defend its No. 1 spot — it strengthened it. With a commanding 27–9 win at Michigan, the Buckeyes became the first team since 1975 Florida to allow 16 points or fewer in every game through 12 weeks.

The breakout story? Arvell Reese, a rotational piece last year, is now a full-blown defensive superstar with 59 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Add him to a unit featuring Sonny Styles, Caden Curry and All-American safety Caleb Downs, and you’ve got what might be the best defense in college football — again.

2. Indiana Hoosiers (No change)

Indiana hasn’t just matched last season’s success — it exceeded it. The Hoosiers steamrolled Purdue 56–3, closing the regular season with a program-record 12 wins.

The physical identity built under Curt Cignetti continues to shine: a dominant run game paired with a top-tier run defense. IU rushed for 355 yards in the rivalry win and allowed under 1,000 rushing yards all season.

This team is big, mean, and absolutely playoff-ready.

3. Georgia Bulldogs (↑1)

Quietly elite. That’s the story of Gunner Stockton, whose calm leadership has pushed Georgia to an 11–1 finish. Nearly 3,000 total yards and 28 total TDs later, Stockton isn’t flashy — but he’s exactly what Georgia needed after Carson Beck went down last year.

The Bulldogs didn’t always dominate, but they consistently delivered when it mattered.

4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (↑3)

The Red Raiders are officially the defensive story of the season. Texas Tech blanked West Virginia 49–0, capping a historic campaign in which the defense allowed the second-fewest points in Big 12 history.

With the No. 3 scoring defense nationally and only 100 points allowed in conference play, this unit is built to win championships. A rematch with BYU awaits.

5. Oregon Ducks (No change)

Oregon didn’t just cruise past Washington — it carved out a clear identity heading into December. Surprisingly, the Ducks transformed into one of the country’s most effective rushing teams without transfer star Makhi Hughes.

The RB committee — Whittington, Limar, Hill Jr., and Davison — combined for over 2,000 yards and 26 TDs. Dante Moore remains elite, but the Ducks will fly as far as their ground game takes them.

6. Ole Miss Rebels (No change)

Say his name again: Trinidad Chambliss. The Division II transfer wasn’t even supposed to start this season, yet here we are — Ole Miss is 11–1 and about to land its first-ever at-large CFP berth.

Chambliss finished the regular season with 3,016 passing yards, 18 TDs, and just three picks. His poise in the Egg Bowl — 359 yards and 4 TDs — cemented his spot as one of 2025’s biggest surprises.

7. Texas A&M Aggies (↓4)

The Aggies exceeded expectations despite ending the season with a tough loss to Texas. Marcel Reed had a breakout year with 35 total TDs, guiding an offense that jumped from 50th to one of the top units in the SEC.

The SEC title and a playoff berth are still in play. Reed will need a bounce-back performance to make it happen.

8. Oklahoma Sooners (No change)

Brent Venables has built a bully. Oklahoma leads the SEC in scoring, run, and total defense while sitting tied for the national lead in sacks (41).

The offense may be inconsistent, but the defense alone has put the Sooners on the brink of their first playoff appearance since 2019.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (↑1)

From 0–2 to 10–2 — that's the kind of turnaround playoff committees notice. Notre Dame surged its way back into contention with a dominant late-season run. The Irish are peaking at the perfect time and look dangerous heading into December.

10. Alabama Crimson Tide (↓1)

Alabama’s biggest surprise? Its struggling run game. The Tide rank 108th nationally on the ground and haven’t had a season this weak rushing since 1990.

And yet… they’re still alive in the SEC title race. Ty Simpson is doing enough, but the Tide need answers fast.

11. BYU Cougars (No change)

At 11–1, BYU sits on the playoff bubble — and maybe deserves more respect. The Cougars’ lone loss came to Texas Tech, a team capable of beating anyone. Win the Big 12 title game, and the committee may not be able to ignore them.

12. Miami Hurricanes (No change)

Freshman WR Malachi Toney — a.k.a. “Baby Jesus” — has become one of the most electric playmakers in America. With 84 catches, 970 yards and 7 TDs, plus 3 more TDs from passing/rushing, he stepped into Miami’s WR void and became the offense’s heartbeat.

13. Vanderbilt Commodores (↑1)

The biggest surprise in the SEC? Vanderbilt — yes, Vanderbilt — sitting at 10–2 with wins over LSU, Missouri, and Tennessee.

QB Diego Pavia delivered a historic year with over 3,100 passing yards and 826 rushing yards. He may be New York–bound for the Heisman ceremony.

14. Texas Longhorns (↑2)

Texas regained control with a huge rivalry win over Texas A&M. But the defense remains a concern — the Longhorns rank 97th in pass defense and have been torched by several QBs.

Arch Manning has grown throughout the season, but defensive lapses could cost Texas a playoff slot.

15. Utah Utes (↓2)

Utah didn’t get the outside help it needed for a playoff push, but the Utes were competitive in every big game this year. Even with two fourth-quarter losses, this is another top-20 finish in the Kyle Whittingham era.

BetNow Takeaway

Week 14 gave us underdogs turned stars (Chambliss), rebuilt powerhouses (Indiana), and defenses that could carry teams to January glory (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Ohio State).

The playoff drama is only heating up — and the margins are razor thin.