After each week of the college football season, a fresh set of rankings drop, highlighting the Top 25 teams in the nation. There are two major polls used in the college football, the AP Poll voted on by members of the media, and the Coaches Poll voted on by, well you can probably figure that one out. Now that we have reached November, the College Football Playoff rankings are out and take over as the top billed ranking in college football for the rest of the season.
A little late on this week’s college football rankings check and little hastily put together. We have arrived at championship week which will determine the four sides that will qualify for the College Football Playoff. It’s a pretty clear path for all four team sitting in playoff positioning after Week 14, but there is still business to be taken care of before the final rankings are released Sunday.
College Football Playoff
Dropped from rankings: Iowa State 23, Virginia Tech 24
It all comes this, seven teams vying for four spots with two likely already wrapped up. Ohio State and Louisiana State will both participate in their respective conference title games, but already have built a strong enough resume to safely make the field even with a loss.
That leaves two spots up for grabs, currently occupied by defending national champion Clemson and second SEC Championship participant Georgia. For both sides the road is simple, win and they will be in playoff. A loss by either side will put a serious dent in their hopes of making the playoff if not eliminating them altogether.
Should either Clemson or Georgia slip up, Utah and Oklahoma or Baylor will be waiting in the wings to take advantage. Most believe Clemson will easily defeat Virginia to claim the ACC title and a playoff spot, meaning only that No. 4 spot could be up for grabs. Right now Utah sits in prime position to make the leap, provided they defeat Oregon on Friday night. Even if the Utes do win, they will have to do so impressively or risk being vaulted by a potential Big 12 champion Oklahoma.
AP Poll
Others receiving votes: SMU 50, Oklahoma State 36, Kansas State 36, UCF 6, Virginia Tech 6, Iowa State 5, Arizona State 4, California 3, Washington 2, North Dakota State 1
Dropped from rankings: Oklahoma State 21, Virginia Tech 23
For a closer look on how media members voted individually, check the image below.
Coaches Poll
Others receiving votes: SMU 65, Oklahoma State 40, Kansas State 24, Louisiana 21, Indiana 14, Hawai’i 7, UCF 7, Arizona State 6, San Diego State 3, Iowa State 3, Tennessee 3, Virginia Tech 2, Temple 1
Dropped from rankings: Oklahoma State 21, Virginia Tech 23
Top 25 Schedule: Week 15
Let’s take a quick peek at who the Top 25 teams will be playing in Week 15.
Note: Team rankings are based on the College Football Playoff standings.
Championship Week action all begins on Friday night in Santa Clara where No. 5 Utah will take on No. 13 Oregon in the PAC-12 title game. Once again, Utah sits in the best position to jump into playoff positioning with a victory.
Action will continue on Saturday with games taking place all day, starting at noon with the Big 12 title game in Dallas between Baylor and Oklahoma. Late afternoon brings an American Conference showdown between Memphis and Cincinnati where the winner with a Cotton Bowl berth on the line. Over in the SEC, No. 2 LSU takes on No. 4 Georgia in a game that could decide the entire playoff field depending on the outcome.
Wrapping up the action on Saturday, No. 1 Ohio State will take on No. 8 Wisconsin in a rematch from earlier in the season where the Buckeyes trounced the Badgers by 31 in Columbus. A victory for Ohio State will cement their spot in the playoff and likely the No. 1 overall seed, while Wisconsin is playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl.
Each and every week throughout the college football season we will be checking in with the latest rankings and Top 25 schedule so make sure you are checking back to keep up to date on the latest from the college football world.
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