1. Georgia (11-0)
Once again, we see no change in the top four starting with Georgia. The Bulldogs were pushed to the brink by Kentucky, but came out alive. It helps that the other top four teams encountered close matchups, because this ten point win could have easily dropped Georgia to two or three.
2. Ohio State (11-0)
Maryland gave everything they had to Ohio State, but that wasn’t enough. The Buckeyes escaped College Park with a win, and while it wasn’t in impressive fashion, a win is a win. I mentioned last week how everything for both Ohio State and Michigan was ramping up for The Game, and now it’s here. HOW EXCITING!
3. Michigan (11-0)
Michigan was another team taken down to the wire this weekend and won on a time-expiring field goal. I am really excited to see their strong rushing attack against Ohio State and Jim Knowles’ defense. The winner of this matchup punches their ticket to the playoffs while the other has to pray for TCU and USC’s demise.
4. TCU (11-0)
Had TCU won by more than a point and didn’t have to execute a fire drill field goal, I’d put them over Michigan. While many will say that these consistent close games are a mark against TCU, I’ll spin zone it and say that this proves they can handle pressure. They’re a gritty team that does enough to win, and they have done enough to win eleven games.
5. USC (10-1)
USC has the ability to write their own story. Either Ohio State or Michigan will lose this Saturday, and if USC wins out, then they’ll move into the number four slot. They just need to keep winning. With wins this season over UCLA, Oregon State, and potentially Oregon and Notre Dame, then their resume will be strong enough to make them a top four team.
6. LSU (9-2)
LSU is one of the last agents of chaos remaining. They could throw a wrench in the entire playoff picture by beating Georgia in the SEC Championship game. If that occurs, then the playoff committee has to make a hard choice on who to put in. As a true college football sicko, I want this chaos to ensue and LSU is the only team that can make it happen.
7. Clemson (10-1)
Clemson is in a weird spot. While they only have one loss, their resume isn’t super strong. The biggest thing that helps the Tigers is if Notre Dame keeps winning and they blowout UNC in the ACC Championship game. They also need USC, TCU, and LSU to lose. They need a lot, but this season has shown that anything can happen.
8. Tennessee (9-2)
Rocky Top got toppled this weekend. Seeing stupid hicks with burnt orange profile pictures on Twitter get dunked on by the CFB world was pretty delightful this weekend. I hated seeing Hendon Hooker get hurt because he’s been electrifying, but their fan base makes it hard to like them. Now, their best shot is to make an NY6 bowl.
9. Alabama (9-2)
What’s weird is that Alabamas demise is them having two losses. Nevertheless, I’m a fan of it. Alabama is trying to shake off two losses to Tennessee and LSU and win the Iron Bowl. They’re also hoping that a lot of teams ahead of them lose and the playoff committees bias shines through again. I think they have a 1% chance of making the playoffs still and that 1% terrifies me.
10. Oregon (9-2)
The Ducks squandered their playoff hopes when they lost to Washington. What’s interesting to me about Oregon though is that they have an impressive resume. Their two losses are to Washington and Georgia and they’ve beaten Utah, UCLA, and Washington State. I think they could land an NY6 bowl off of that resume alone.
11. Penn State (9-2)
I say it every week, and I just think that between 10-12 will be Penn States permanent spot. They’ll finish the season 10-2, but have lost the two most important games of the year vs Michigan and Ohio State. While I am a James Franklin guy, at some point you have to move on as a program to someone who can win you those big games.
12. Washington (9-2)
The Huskies have been an agent of chaos on multiple occasions this season beating Oregon, Oregon State, and Michigan State. Seeing the revitalization of Michael Penix Jr. has been thrilling, and makes Washington a fun team to watch. They’re a team with an electrifying offense and a stellar defense.
13. Notre Dame (8-3)
The Irish are rolling right now. In the past four games, Notre Dame has outscored opponents 155-70 with a shutout against Boston College. They’re encountering their biggest game of the year this week against USC and could kill their playoff hopes if they take the Trojans down. In addition, they’re also playing to try and crack the top ten and make a reputable bowl game.
14. North Carolina (9-2)
FRAUDS. GOD DAMN FRAUDS. I went to bat for UNC the past few weeks, all for them to let me down and lose to Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech of all teams, seriously. UNC will still make the ACC Championship and could destroy Clemson’s playoff chances with a win over them.
15. Utah (8-3)
The Utes have been stellar this season beating USC and Oregon State thus far. They’re the real reason as to why USC isn’t currently in the top four, because the Trojans have a massively successful offense. I think they finish the season 9-3 and could even win whatever bowl game they’re placed in.
16. Kansas State (8-3)
Kansas State has had a true up and down season this year. They’ve blown out teams like Missouri and Oklahoma State, yet lost to Tulane, Texas, and TCU. With the Jayhawks being depleted, I think they role their instate rivals and cap off the season at 9-3.
17. Florida State (8-3)
Throughout my years of college football fandom, I’ve had a true disdain for the Seminoles. But for some odd reason, I enjoy watching them play. They’re another team with many ups and downs having beaten LSU and Louisville, but losing to NC State. Mike Norvell has secured his job for the next few seasons and has brought in a solid recruiting class for next year.
18. Cincinnati (9-2)
I am so jacked up for Cincinnati vs Tulane to decide who makes the AAC Championship game. G5 football has been so awesome this year; I guess it just means more. They dropped the opener to Arkansas, but since then have gone 9-1. Even though they lost a boatload of talent in Gardner, Bryant, and Ridder, they look great.
19. Coastal Carolina (9-1)
Coastal didn’t play last week due to the sad events that transpired at Virginia. If they want to stay in the top twenty, they need to win this weekend against James Madison who opened as 13.5 point favorites over the Chants. Grayson McCall is banged up, but I have faith in Jamey Chadwell improvising and adapting.
20. UCLA (8-3)
UCLA has crumbled. They have two good losses on the resume, but their biggest blemish is losing to Arizona. It’s sad to see because DTR has played out of his mind, yet received minimal help from his defense. They’ll probably finish 9-3 and make a solid bowl game to look for redemption.
21. Ole Miss (8-3)
The Runnin’ Rebels have lost their will to live. You can easily justify losses to Alabama and LSU, two top ten teams, but getting blown out by a skidding Razorbacks squad is an atrocious look. Maybe this is part of the reason that Lane Kiffin already has one foot out the door (speculative).
22. Tulane (9-2)
Keep riding the Green Wave. What hurts, yet helps them out, is UCF losing. While the loss gives them a better shot to make the AAC title game, UCF losing to Navy is more of a blemish on Tulane’s record. Tulane did, however, come out after a loss and decimate SMU 59-24.
23. Oregon State (8-3)
Oregon State has been a fringe top twenty five team all year, and I believe this is my first time putting them in my top 25. I’ve shunned them too long. My biggest issue with the Beavers is that they have no ranked wins. Every Pac-12 team in the top 25 has a ranked win except for them. Had they notched a win over Washington or USC, then they’d 100% be a top fifteen squad.
24. Texas (7-4)
Texas is the only four loss team I have in my rankings because they have quality losses to Alabama, Oklahoma State, and TCU, but they also have good wins over UTSA, Kansas State, and Oklahoma. They’ve been an enjoyable team to watch and I think are better than all four loss teams and some three loss.
25. UTSA (9-2)
The Roadrunners stand atop the C-USA right now with a 9-2 record, 7-0 in conference play. With wins over Army, North Texas, and Rice this season, they’re the clear cut C-USA frontrunners and are vying for a bowl game against a solid P5 squad. The sky is the limit for the Roadrunners and I love to see them ranked.
