Michigan State climbs into top four in CFB Power Rankings after Week 12
And then there were two. Two weeks left (or just one for Notre Dame and most of the Big 12) for teams to make their final auditions for the College Football Playoff selection committee.
Ohio State was already out of my top four, but their defeat still created a shakeup in my playoff picks. With two of my top four currently in line to play on Championship Saturday, there’s bound to be some more changes, too. Playoff berths are within reach, so the stakes are only getting higher.
1. Clemson Tigers
PREVIOUS: 1
RECORD: 11-0
Next week: Saturday at South Carolina
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
PREVIOUS: 2
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Beat Charleston Southern 56-6 Next week: Saturday at Auburn
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
PREVIOUS: 4
RECORD: 11-0
Last week: Beat Purdue 40-20 Next week: Friday at Nebraska
4. Michigan State Spartans
PREVIOUS: 9
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Beat Ohio State 17-14 Next week: Saturday vs. Penn State
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
PREVIOUS: 3
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Beat Boston College 19-16 Next week: Saturday at Stanford • College Football Playoff bubble watch
6. Oklahoma Sooners
PREVIOUS: 8
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Beat TCU 30-29 Next week: Saturday at Oklahoma State
7. Baylor Bears
PREVIOUS: 10
RECORD: 9-1
Last week: Beat Oklahoma State 45-35 Next week: Saturday at TCU
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
PREVIOUS: 5
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Lost to Baylor 45-35 Next week: Saturday vs. Oklahoma
9. Ohio State Buckeyes
PREVIOUS: 6
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Lost to Michigan State 17-14 Next week: Saturday at Michigan
10. Florida Gators
PREVIOUS: 7
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Beat Florida Atlantic 20-14 in OT Next week: Saturday vs. Florida State • Florida fails playoff eye test in FAU win
11. Michigan Wolverines
PREVIOUS: 12
RECORD: 9-2
Last week: Beat Penn State 28-16 Next week: Saturday vs. Ohio State
12. North Carolina Tar Heels
PREVIOUS: 13
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Beat Virginia Tech 30-27 in OT Next week: Saturday at NC State
13. Stanford Cardinal
PREVIOUS: 15
RECORD: 9-2
Last week: Beat Cal 35-22 Next week: Saturday vs. Notre Dame
14. Northwestern Wildcats
PREVIOUS: 18
RECORD: 9-2
Last week: Beat Wisconsin 13-7 Next week: Saturday vs. Illinois
15. Navy Midshipmen
PREVIOUS: 19
RECORD: 9-1
Last week: Beat Tulsa 44-21 Next week: Friday at Houston • Biggest playoff takeaways from Week 12
16. TCU Horned Frogs
PREVIOUS: 11
RECORD: 9-2
Last week: Lost to Oklahoma 30-29 Next week: Friday vs. Baylor
17. Florida State Seminoles
PREVIOUS: 21
RECORD: 9-2
Last week: Beat Chattanooga 52-13 Next week: Saturday at Florida
18. Oregon Ducks
PREVIOUS: 23
RECORD: 8-3
Last week: Beat USC 48-28 Next week: Friday vs. Oregon State
19. Ole Miss Rebels
RECORD: 8-3
Last week: Beat LSU 38-17 Next week: Saturday at Mississippi State
20. Toledo Rockets
PREVIOUS: 22
RECORD: 9-1
Last week: Beat Bowling Green 44-28 Next week: Friday vs. Western Michigan • Five things to watch in coaching carousel
21. Houston Cougars
PREVIOUS: 14
RECORD: 10-1
Last week: Lost to UConn 20-17 Next week: Friday vs. Navy
22. Temple Owls
RECORD: 9-2
Last week: Beat Memphis 31-12 Next week: Saturday vs. UConn
23. LSU Tigers
PREVIOUS: 16
RECORD: 7-3
Last week: Lost to Ole Miss 38-17 Next week: Saturday vs. Texas A&M
24. Washington State Cougars
RECORD: 8-3
Last week: Beat Colorado 27-3 Next week: Friday at Washington
25. UCLA Bruins
RECORD: 8-3
Last week: Beat Utah 17-9 Next week: Saturday at USC
Next five: Utah, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Memphis, Pittsburgh
Dropped out: Utah, Wisconsin, USC, Memphis
