After a week with plenty of top 10 teams being upset, the College Football Playoff Rankings have completely shifted from 6-20. The top 5 stayed the same, but every team 6-10 is different. Some teams, such as Stanford and likely Baylor, have lost all chances at making the playoffs after losses this weekend. LSU and Utah also have lost all hope at being playoff bound after they both lost to unranked teams. TCU, who struggled to beat Iowa State, dropped 3 spots to 18 despite the upsets that went on in front of them and winning.
1. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers struggled against Syracuse, who kept it close the entire game. Eventually, the Tigers won 47-37, but it was difficult as the Orange kept it close the whole game. The Tigers have been the #1 team since the first rankings came out, and they should stay there the rest of the season if they win out. Clemson has their final home game against Wake Forest this saturday, and a road matchup against bitter-rival South Carolina on November 28th to finish the season. They will likely win these two games, putting them in prime position to be the #1 seed when the playoffs roll around if they beat North Carolina in the ACCCG.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide have looked like the top team in college football after shutting down LSU and Mississippi State in consecutive weeks and winning easily. The Tide look unstoppable, and Derrick Henry is on a complete tear after running for 200 yards in two straight games. He is in the drivers seat for the Heisman battle. If the Tide get by their archenemy, Auburn, in their last regular season game and beat a strong Florida team in the SECCG then they will no doubt be in the playoffs again.
3. Ohio State
The Buckeyes offense again looked average at best with JT Barrett under center. They put up 28 points to defeat Illinois 28-3. If the Buckeyes want to win another championship, they are going to need to pick it up defensively. The undefeated Bucks take on Michigan State this weekend. With College Gameday in attendance, this will be one of the biggest games all season.
4. Notre Dame
Sadly for the Irish, Stanford lost. If the Irish had defeated Stanford, they would have been a lock for the playoff. Now, their only big wins are against non-power 5 opponents. If it comes down to the Irish or Oklahoma or Oklahoma State, I think the committee will go with the Big 12 team because the Irish lack a marquee win.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes don’t win in a conventional, blow the other team out way, but they pound their opponents until the opponent gives. After LeShun Daniel’s huge game against Minnesota, the Hawkeyes should cruise into the Big Ten Championship. If the Hawkeyes win out, they will be an unexpected team to make the playoffs.
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys
When will the committee realize that the Big 12 should be above Iowa? Well maybe they would be if the conferences best teams weren’t playing close games with Iowa State, and that is exactly why OSU isn’t ahead of Iowa. They beat Iowa State 35-31 after a huge victory over TCU. Maybe OSU can impress again this weekend against Baylor, who is coming off of a loss too Oklahoma, and move ahead of Iowa.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners sure are kicking themselves for that loss to Texas earlier this year. If it wasn’t for that game, this team would probably be ranked 2nd or 3rd. They look like a playoff team, and I think that they will win the Big 12. With games against TCU and Oklahoma State, the Sooners have a shot at being in the playoff. I think they will beat TCU and OSU simply because of how great they looked against Baylor last weekend. They shut down the Bears offense.
8. Florida Gators
Florida has maybe the best defense in the country, but their offense may not score enough points to win sometimes. Against Bama and FSU, Treon Harris is going to need to find Antonio Callaway and DeMarcus Robinson a lot, and Kelvin Taylor will need to run very well to give the Gators enough points to win both games and they definitely will make the playoff if they win out.
9. Michigan State Spartans
After Baylor took a loss, the Spartans are back in the hunt! If the Spartans beat Ohio State and Iowa in the Big Ten Championship, they will give themselves a good shot to make the playoffs. Maybe that loss to Nebraska didn’t kill their season after all.
10. Baylor Bears
After a tough loss to Oklahoma, the Bears likely won’t make the playoffs. This loss came too late in the season for Baylor, and I don’t see them making the playoffs unless complete madness ensues across the NCAA.
Here’s the rest of the rankings:
11. Stanford
12. Michigan
13. Utah
14. Florida State
15. LSU
16. Navy
17. North Carolina
18. TCU
19. Houston
20. Northwestern
21. Memphis
22. Ole Miss
23. Oregon
24. USC
25. Wisconsin
