CFB Playoff Picture 2024-25: Updated Standings and Bracket Predictions After Week 5

After a consequential Week 5 of the college football season, several teams further cemented their College Football Playoff standings while others saw their CFP hopes take a hit.

Alabama, which held off a massive comeback from Georgia to get its biggest win of the year so far, was the biggest winner of the day on Saturday.

Ole Miss was the biggest loser of the day as the No. 6 Rebels dropped a game at home to unranked Kentucky.

USC and Notre Dame kept their playoff hopes alive with wins over Wisconsin and Louisville, respectively.

Michigan faced a scare against Minnesota but came out victorious to remain in the CFP race despite a Week 2 loss to Texas. BYU, fresh off a win over Kansas State last week, remained undefeated with a win over Baylor as it looks to sneak into the CFP conversation.

After the Week 5 slate, here's the latest look at the College Football Playoff picture.

Updated CFB Playoff Bracket Prediction

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TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs with Parker Brailsford #72 during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Conference Champions

1. Alabama (SEC champion)

2. Ohio State (Big Ten champion)

3. Miami (ACC champion)

4. Utah (Big 12 champion)

First Round Projection

No. 12 Boise State vs. No. 5 Texas

No. 11 BYU vs. No. 6 Georgia

No. 10 Missouri vs. No. 7 Tennessee

No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 8 Penn State

Ole Miss Playoff Hopes Take Hit at Hands of Kentucky

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OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 28: Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels attempts a pass during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Coming into Week 5, Ole Miss appeared to have one of the most dominant offenses in college football after pummeling its first four opponents.

The Rebels faced their first real test on Saturday and didn't pass. Kentucky upset Ole Miss 20-17, marking the Wildcats' first top-10 win on the road since 1977 when they beat No. 4 Penn State in State College.

Kentucky hasn't exactly been impressive this season. While it played a top-ranked Georgia team close two weeks ago, South Carolina, which barely beat Old Dominion in Week 1, walloped the Wildcats 31-6 in Week 2.

What was the difference for Ole Miss this week after putting up a slew of 40-plus-point performances? It faced a real defense.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart's 261 passing yards were his fewest of the season by more than 100 yards. The Rebels were held to just 92 rushing yards after posting 200-plus in each of their first four games.

It wasn't exactly an offensive showcase from Kentucky, as the Wildcats had just 336 yards of total offense, but they beat Ole Miss by slowing down the pace of the game and avoiding turnovers. If Kentucky can do that, tougher opponents the Rebels will see later this season like LSU, Oklahoma and Georgia should be able to as well.

USC Bounces Back from Michigan Loss to Stay in CFP Race

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans throws against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

For much of Saturday's matchup against Wisconsin, USC seemed like it was on its way to another loss after losing to Michigan a week ago.

The Trojans trailed 21-10 at the half, but scored 28 unanswered points to win 38-21 and pick up its first Big Ten win. Quarterback Miller Moss led the way for USC with 308 passing yards and three touchdowns, shaking off an early interception.

As it stands now, the Trojans are likely still on the outside looking in when it comes to the College Football Playoff. Had they won at the Big House against Michigan last week, there'd be no question about USC's playoff standing.

But the Trojans have ample opportunities left this season to prove they belong in the CFP. In just a few weeks they'll face a top-ten opponent when they take on Penn State. USC will also take on Notre Dame to close out the year.

Winning out would mean impressive wins over LSU, Penn State and Notre Dame along with a potential trip to the Big Ten Championship. For now, the Trojans just need to take it one game at a time.

Alabama Wins Thriller over Georgia to Add to CFP Resume

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 28: Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) rushes the ball during the college football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide on September 28, 2024, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

An early contender for game of the year saw No. 4 Alabama down No. 2 Georgia 41-34 on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide looked dominant early, taking a 28-0 lead in the second quarter and leading 30-7 at halftime. But the Bulldogs came storming back, scoring 20 unanswered points to take a late lead as they tried to mount the biggest comeback in school history.

Freshman sensation Ryan Williams scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to take the lead back from the Bulldogs, and an interception from Alabama's Zabien Brown sealed the deal.

Alabama would have liked to finish the game the same way it started, but holding off the absurd comeback showed resilience from the Crimson Tide, the kind that's needed in the College Football Playoff.

Alabama lost one of the greatest college football coaches of all time when Nick Saban retired, but it still has a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Milroe and a head coach eager for his first championship in Kalen DeBoer.

Saturday's win showed Alabama is far from a team in rebuild mode following Saban's exit. In fact, the Tide might be the best team in college football.