10. Penn State Nittany Lions 9-1 (9)
The Nittany Lions weren’t anything special in the win over Indiana, but the win might just be enough to move up a few more spots than this. It won’t make a difference where they are.
Beat Ohio State this week, and they’ll rocket up into the top five with the College Football Playoff there for the taking by beating Rutgers and then Wisconsin or Minnesota in the Big Ten Championship.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers 9-1 (8)
The loss to Iowa was just good enough to stay ranked in the top ten somewhere. The Gophers still control their own destiny – it doesn’t matter where they’re ranked. They might be behind Penn State – despite the win two weeks ago – and it’s fine.
Beat Northwestern, beat Wisconsin, beat the Ohio State/Penn State winner in the Big Ten Championship, and the 12-1 Big Ten champ will absolutely be in the College Football Playoff.
8. Oklahoma Sooners 9-1 (8)
There’s a chance the win over an undefeated Baylor on the road will be enough to move the Sooners into the top six. However, it took a massive comeback to get the win, right after it took a late stop to survive an almost-collapse to Iowa State. They have the resumé, win, but they’re not playing as well as …
7. Utah Utes 9-1 (7)
There might not be quite enough of an argument in that room to move the Utes into the top six, but it’s dominating, it’ll beat Arizona and Colorado to get to 11-1 with a trip to the Pac-12 Championship, and then it’s on. Go 12-1 with a Power Five title, and it’ll take a new precedent to be set to keep the Utes out. For now, the ranking doesn’t matter … win out, and then let’s talk.
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6. Alabama Crimson Tide 9-1 (5)
Relax … this might be a placeholder spot. For now, call this a wait-and-see ranking. How well will Alabama play with Mac Jones under center? There won’t be any problems against Western Carolina, but if the Crimson Tide obliterate Auburn at Auburn, all of a sudden, the committee will have its justification to make the move up. If Georgia loses to LSU, the committee will be able to say Bama beat Auburn, and …
5. Oregon Ducks 9-1 (6)
Oregon didn’t beat Auburn. Even though that happened to start the season, that still might matter when it comes to deciding between what would be the Pac-12 champ if the Ducks win out, and a Bama team that lost to the No. 1 team in college football. However, for now, the Tua Tagovailoa injury will be enough to drop the Tide and move up Oregon.
4. Georgia Bulldogs 9-1 (4)
The committee liked Georgia enough to put it four last week, and it’s sure not going to make a move now. Beating Auburn was great, beating Texas A&M this week would be fantastic, but … the SEC East champ has to beat (likely) LSU in the SEC Championship. Otherwise it’s off to the Sugar Bowl.
3. Clemson Tigers 11-0 (3)
The Tigers will be stuck here as long as Ohio State and LSU keep on winning. They’re not going to be No. 1 unless the Buckeyes and SEC Tigers both lose, otherwise their ceiling is the No. 2 spot – 2 or 3 doesn’t matter.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes 10-0 (2)
There’s no beef … for now. Ohio State is playing better than anyone else, but it just doesn’t have the wins LSU can boast about. However, that’s about to change. If the Buckeyes obliterate Penn State, at Michigan, and blast Minnesota or Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship, that might be enough to finish No. 1.
1. LSU Tigers 10-0 (1)
There will be some discussion about how miserable the defense has looked over the last few weeks – giving up over 400 yards through the air against Alabama, and then over 400 rushing yards to Ole Miss – but there’s still no arguing against the resumé. As long as LSU gets to the SEC Championship at 12-0, it’ll be in.
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