Graphic by the College Football Playoff
Week 11 CFB Top 25 Rankings
I addressed my views regarding Michigan last week and why I won’t have them ranked until there is something done to address their blatant cheating. My criteria for rankings is at the bottom of the article and also can be found in previous weeks. With that, let’s talk about where the best teams in college football are ranked.
1. Georgia (9-0) (Last Week #1. CFP Ranking #2) (Ranked #1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Dawgs had a battle on their hands but beat a scrappy Mizzou 30-21 at home. They get their last game of the year in Athens next week as they host 8-1 Ole Miss in what is sure to be a top 10 matchup an the toughest game of the year and must win for both teams. No easy days in November for the Dawgs as they have to travel to Tennessee after that and then to Atlanta to battle rival Georgia Tech.
2. Ohio State (9-0) (Last Week #2. CFP Ranking #1) (Ranked #3 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
I love this team despite how crazy they drive me. They have heart and a never-say-die attitude. I just can’t shake the feeling that the struggles that they’ve had all year, against every opponent, will bite them for a loss sooner or later, especially after Thanksgiving. But even though it’s rocky, their formula of Henderson and Harrison on offense and lean on an elite defense has them at 9-0.
3. Florida State (9-0) (Last Week #3. CFP Ranking #4) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With their win, Florida State became the first Power 5 team to clinch a berth in their conference championship game. FSU struggled early to beat 2-7 Pitt by a score of 24-7. That’s kind of been their pattern though this year. They play to their opponent, both down when playing a team that they should clobber and up when playing a team that should test them. But like the Buckeyes, despite their warts they’re sitting pretty at 9-0. And are alone in the top four in clinching a championship game appearance with only nine wins.
4. Washington (9-0) (Last Week #4. CFP Ranking #5) (Ranked #5 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Huskies defense couldn’t stop Caleb Williams but the Trojans defense couldn’t stop Washington’s running game. Washington’s rushing attack pulled their team to a rushing victory like their Husky mascots pulled sleds. Next a visit from a dangerous Utah team before finishing the season against the Pac-2.
5. Liberty (9-0) (Last Week #6. Unranked in the CFP) (Ranked #25 in the AP and unranked in the Coaches Polls)
With their 56-30 win over Louisiana Tech, Liberty clinched a spot in the Conference USA Championship, and the clinched that game coming to Lynchburg, Virginia for a home game for the Flames. Behind Salter and Cooley on offense, Liberty is making a case to be the Group of 5 representative in a New Years’ Six Bowl.
6. James Madison (9-0) (Last Week #7. Unranked in the CFP) (Ranked #21 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
With their 42-14 win over Georgia State the Dukes are now 9-0 on the season. Behind their swarming defense the Dukes are proving that the NCAA’s antiquated rule about a team moving from the FCS to FBS is ineligible for the post season is like most of the NCAA’s rules. Petty crap. James Madison should do something special to commemorate their season if they finish it 12-0.
7. Oregon (8-1) (Last Week #8. CFP Ranking #6) (Ranked #6 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Ducks crushed Cal as they make their case of being the best one-loss team in the country. They are on track for the Pac-12 Championship Game. They get USC at home next week, ASU on the road before the final battle with Oregon State to close out the year.
8. Texas (8-1) (Last Week #10. CFP Ranking #7) (Ranked #7 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
Every championship team has some lucky moments, and Texas had theirs in overtime against Kansas State when the Wildcats went for the win on fourth-and-goal to go instead of tying it and taking it to a second overtime. K-State had stood toe-to-toe with Texas and had the advantage on both sides of the ball when they inexplicably put the game on one play. It was a horribly botched play and that’s why you don’t put the game on one play.
Still, credit the Longhorns. Without Quinn Ewers and against good teams, they are still just winning. Despite the adversity they have faced they just keep marching on. That is also what championship-caliber teams do. Luck helped them but effort and teamwork is what has Texas at 8-1 right now.
9. Alabama (8-1) (Last Week #11. CFP Ranking #8) (Ranked #8 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Tide beat a powerful LSU team, but I can’t help but wonder if it might have been different if that illegal hit on Jayden Daniels doesn’t happen. Bama is just where I thought they’d be after their loss to Texas. That’s kind of what they do after an early season loss under Nick Saban, just steamroll their way back to the top slowly but surely. They’re on pace for that with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky up next.
10. Penn State (8-1) (Last Week #14. CFP Ranking #10) (Ranked #9 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Nittany Lions got a big road win over border rival Maryland before they welcome Michigan to Happy Valley next week. Penn State needs a win over them to keep their Big Ten East, Big Ten, and Playoff hopes alive.
11. Ole Miss (8-1) (Last Week #12. CFP Ranking #9) (Ranked #10 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
Like Texas, Ole Miss had to hold on tight against a solid, upset-minded conference foe at home. They took A&M’s best shot and walked away winners. After how the LSU and Alabama game ended. Even with the SEC West now likely out of the picture, a New Years’ Six Bowl or even a College Football Playoff at-large bid like Ohio State in 2022 isn’t out of the picture for Ole Miss. But they gotta beat the two-time defending champions at their house next week first.
12. Louisville (8-1) (Last Week #15. CFP Ranking #11) (Ranked #11 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
It was a needed win for Louisville against Virginia Tech team that had been trending in the right direction in recent weeks. The Cards crushed them too, 34-3. Next is Virginia before Miami and Kentucky to close the season.
13. Tulane (8-1) (Last Week #16. CFP Ranking #23) (Ranked #20 in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
They barely beat a 1-8 East Carolina by a score of 13-10, but Tulane is still one of the top Group of Five teams and has a good Chance to return to a New Years’ Six Bowl again this season.
14. Toledo (8-1) (Last Week #19. Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
Part of Toledo has to be cursing that week one loss to Illinois that they let slip away late, but the better part has to be thrilled with an eight-game winning streak. After their win in the snow over Buffalo the Rockets have three divisional games left to close the season in their efforts to get to 11-1 and be the MAC West Champions.
15. Fresno State (8-1) (Last Week #20. Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in the AP and #25 in Coaches Polls)
The Bulldogs are back in New Years’ Six and Mountain West contention with their win and firm spot in second place and Air Force’s loss. They beat Boise State in a rivalry game and with San Jose State, New Mexico, and San Diego State left on the schedule are highly favored to finish the season 11-1.
16. Air Force (8-1) (Last Week #5. Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
No two ways about it that was an ugly loss for Air Force. They turned the ball over six times and probably should have lost by more than 20. Even though Army isn’t having their greatest year, crazy things happen in rivalry games and the Falcons still remain in the lead of the Mountain West.
17. Kansas (7-2) (Last Week #21. CFP Ranking #16) (Ranked #18 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
With LSU and Notre Dame both going down this weekend, Kansas is new best two-loss team in America. Their third in the Big 12 behind Texas and OK State with Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Cincinnati left on their schedule.
18. Tennessee (7-2) (Last Week #22. CFP Ranking #13) (Ranked #14 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Vols have a tall order to win the SEC East. They need to beat Georgia themselves and have the Dawgs be upset by someone else along the way too. If that happens the Vols and Joe Milton may just get to Atlanta to play Alabama again. While they go to Missouri next weekend they won’t be able to help having an eye on the score of the Ole Miss-Georgia game.
19. Oklahoma State (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. CFP Ranking #15) (Ranked #15 and #17 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Behind the impressive, Heisman-contending season of Ollie Gordon the Pokes who looked out pasture early in the season are on a rampage. After their fifth straight win they are 7-2 and tied for first place in the Big 12 and with only UCF, Houston, and BYU left on the schedule, the Cowboys should get to 10-2 and face Texas in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship.
20. Oregon State (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. CFP Ranking #12) (Ranked #12 and #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Beavers beat Coach Prime and the Buffalos in a tough road win and get Stanford next before facing Washington and Oregon to close the season. Facing the two leaders in the Pac-12 may be a tall order but it means Oregon State controls it’s own destiny as far as the Pac-12 Championship is concerned.
21. Utah (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. CFP Ranking #18) (Ranked #13 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Utah with their elite defense and star quarterback are in do-or-die mode against he conference leaders the Washington Huskies next week. Win and stay alive for the conference crown. Lose and be eliminated.
22. Iowa (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. CFP Ranking #22) (Unranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Hawkeyes would be a national threat if they had an offense with a pulse. Their elite defense has them on track to play in the Big Ten Championship for the second time in three years. First they got to beat the best team Rutgers has had since joining the Big Ten and then rivals Illinois and Nebraska.
23. North Carolina (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. CFP Ranking #24) (Ranked #24 and #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Heels got a needed win against and FCS foe and have rival Duke up next. They must beat the Blue Devils or their hopes of facing Florida State in the ACC Championship are gone.
24. Troy (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
Troy is following their blueprint from last year. Lose a couple of games early, dominate the Sun Belt after that. They’re doing it behind all-American running back Kimani Vidal.
25. SMU (7-2) (Unranked Last Week. Unranked in the CFP) (Unranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Mustangs are in a three-way tie with Tulane and UTSA for first in the AAC. They control their fate, win out and play for AAC Championship in their final season in the conference.
Teams on the radar
Memphis 7-2
UNLV 7-2
Miami (OH) 7-2
New Mexico State 7-3
Missouri (7-2)
Oklahoma (7-2)
Games of the Week
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State – The Last Bedlam
Arkansas at Florida
Arkansas had 39 points and 481 yards of offense under new offensive coordinator and former Ohio State Buckeye quarterback Kenny Guiton!
Rose Bowl (Semi-Final) – Ohio State vs. Washington
Sugar Bowl (Semi-Final) – Georgia vs. Florida State
Cotton Bowl – Ole Miss vs Kansas
Orange Bowl – Penn State vs. Alabama
Fiesta Bowl – Texas vs. Oregon
Peach Bowl – Liberty vs. Louisville
National Championship Georgia over Ohio State
The rankings are if the season ended today. But the bowl projections are how I think the future will shake out the rest of the season. In my rankings, wins, and losses count. I will try my best to be consistent about this and never rank a team with two losses above a team with one loss, unless head-to-head results say otherwise.
These rankings are how well a team is playing and how well they have played. Things like being undefeated count and will count all year. Plenty of one-loss teams who are top ten in talent and where they will finish aren’t here. There are certainly teams ranked that would lose to them, but those teams at the moment are having better seasons by having won all their games.
