College Football Playoff Rankings: How The Top 25 Should Be Done, Top 15
15. Illinois Fighting Illini (7-1)
The Case For This Spot: The Illini have been dominant. The defense has stuffed everyone – no one has scored more than 14 against it other than the loss to Indiana – and overall the team is just one early season drive away from being unbeaten. Illinois took out Wisconsin – and change the course of the program – and stuffed Iowa and Minnesota.
Win That Matters: Illinois 34, Wisconsin 10
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Indiana 23, Illinois 20
Up Next: Michigan State
14. Utah Utes (6-2)
The Case For This Spot: The Utes were one interception against Florida away from being right back in the College Football Playoff mix, but losing at UCLA was acceptable and handing USC its only loss will be enough for a top 15 spot. Beating Oregon State and Washington State was good, too.
Win That Matters: Utah 43, USC 42
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Florida 29, Utah 26
Up Next: Arizona
13. LSU Tigers (6-2)
The Case For This Spot: Getting rocked by Tennessee isn’t anything to get into a twist over, and the season opener against Florida State can be blown off a bit – that looked and played like a team that could’ve used a tune-up. The 45-20 win over Ole Miss – to go along with wins over Florida, Mississippi State, and Auburn – will be enough for a top 15 spot.
Win That Matters: LSU 45, Ole Miss 20
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Florida State 24, LSU 23
Up Next: Alabama
12. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2)
The Case For This Spot: The College Football Playoff committee almost never gives a team a break for losing to great teams, but that’s what needs to happen. Losing at Michigan and to Ohio State should be forgiven. Beating Purdue and Auburn on the road was good, and blowing out Minnesota was great.
Win That Matters: Penn State 41, Auburn 12
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Michigan 41, Penn State 17
Up Next: at Indiana
11. USC Trojans (7-1)
The Case For This Spot: The problem is the lack of amazing wins. The offense has been breathtaking at times, but it’s been a struggle on defense and there’s no WOW win for the committee to love. Beating Oregon State, Fresno State, and Washington State was nice, but that’s not enough … yet.
Win That Matters: USC 17, Oregon State 14
Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Utah 43, USC 42
Up Next: Cal
College Football Playoff: Helping The Committee With The Top 25
Top 4 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25
Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings 1-131 | Rankings by Conference
AP Poll | Coaches Poll | Predicting CFP Top 25
Bowl Bubble: Bowl eligible teams, who needs a win?