As the dust settles on a thrilling regular season of college football, fans are eagerly anticipating the official unveiling of the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. The conference championships have concluded, leaving us on the brink of a historic change—the much-anticipated first-ever 12-team playoff format.

In recent weeks, there has been considerable chatter among teams and conferences regarding how a loss in a league championship game might impact their postseason aspirations under this new format. However, the reality is clear: every game holds significance, and their outcomes will undeniably affect rankings.

Notably, for teams that did not play in the conference championship games this weekend, their positions in the rankings will remain unchanged—barring significant adjustments due to the performance of teams that did compete. This places teams like Oregon and Notre Dame firmly in the spotlight as they are expected to bookend the top five in the latest rankings prior to the reveal.

So, what factors will the College Football Playoff Selection Committee weigh as they finalize their rankings? Here's a closer look:

1. Conference Championships: The ultimate metric that becomes paramount on the final weekend of the season.

2. Head-to-Head Matchups: If two teams are close in rankings, their previous matchup could prove decisive.

3. Games Against Common Opponents: Performance against teams they both faced plays a crucial role.

4. Results Against Ranked Opponents: Past performance against ranked teams will help shape the strength of each team's schedule.

It's important to note that when referencing "rankings," we are discussing the previous week's CFP standings. These rankings form the backbone of the committee’s analysis when evaluating how teams fared against others within the power rankings—a critical element of determining a team's strength of schedule.

As anticipation builds for the final reveal, expect plenty of surprises and potential shifts in the rankings. Will Oregon and Notre Dame maintain their positions at the top, or could another team make a last-minute push into that coveted playoff spot? One thing is certain: this year's postseason promises to be an exhilarating ride for college football fans everywhere. Stay tuned!