Week 13 CFBRanking Top 26

By
Kyle Huesmann
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(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Week 13 CFBRanking Top 26

1. Ohio State

Last Week: W over Rutgers 56-21

The Buckeyes won easily, but somewhat surprisingly allowed 21 points to Rutgers. Up next is a huge home game vs Top 5 Penn State. They get DE Chase Young back from suspension and he will be ready to go Saturday.

2. LSU

Last Week: W over Ole Miss 58-37

LSU fell to #2 because they allowed 400 rush yds. The only other team to allow over 300 to Ole Miss? Vanderbilt. The Tigers defense has a couple of things to fix up and will get a chance at home against Arkansas this week.

3. Clemson

Last Week: W over Wake Forest 52-3

The Tigers destroyed the Demon Deacons, who were missing their top 2 WRs. Overall, Clemson continues to look like a Top 4 team. They get a bye week to get ready for their rivalry game vs South Carolina, who has beaten Georgia this year.

4. Oregon

Last Week: W over Arizona 34-6

The Ducks dominated the Wildcats all game and move into my #4 spot. Up next, they have a trip to Arizona State, which could be trap game.

5. Penn State

Last Week: W over Indiana 34-27

The Nittany Lions held off an upset bid by the Hoosiers, but Indiana showed they are a pretty solid team, even with QB Michael Pennix out. Penn State’s playoff chances rest on this week’s game at Ohio State.

6. Georgia

Last Week: W over Auburn 21-14

The Bulldogs got a quality win vs Auburn. Defensively, they held the Tigers off the scoreboard into the 4th quarter. Although, they have 3 ranked wins, they still have a bad loss vs a likely 4-8 South Carolina. Up next, they get a home game vs Texas A&M. UGA controls their own destiny. If they win out they will be in the playoff.

7. Utah

Last Week: W over UCLA 49-3

Despite some people warning that Utah should be on upset alert, the Utes destroyed UCLA. They are still very much in the CFP race and the Pac 12 winner looks to be in good shape. Up next, Utah travels to Arizona to keep their CFP hopes alive.

8. Alabama

Last Week: W over Miss State 38-7

The Crimson Tide easily beat Miss State, but the story from the game is Tua Tagovailoa dislocating his hip late in the first half. He will miss the rest of the season and it deals a large blow to Alabama’s playoff chances. Up next, is FCS Western Carolina, but the question becomes….Does Alabama have the resume to sneak into the Top 4?

9. Oklahoma

Last Week: W over Baylor 34-31

What a comeback! The Sooners looked dead trailing 28-3 in the 2Q and 31-10 at halftime, but the defense did not allow a point in the second half and pulled it out. Oklahoma gets TCU at home this week to stay alive in the CFP race. However, the Sooners are still going to need some help to make the playoff.

10. Minnesota

Last Week: L vs Iowa 23-19

Minnesota fell victim to November Kinnick Stadium and lost their first game of the year. The Gophers lost a close game and still have a shot at the playoff. But they now have zero room for error. Up next, the Gophers travel to a struggling Northwestern to get to 10-1.

11. Baylor

Last Week: L vs Oklahoma 34-31

For the first half it looked like the Bears were going to jump into my Top 5. However, Baylor quickly fell apart and find themselves at 11 and likely out of the CFP picture. The Bears still have a shot at a NY6 birth, but must get a win at home vs Texas this week to make the Big 12 Title game.

12. Florida

Last Week: W over Missouri 23-6

This game was good for the Gator defense, but not for the offense that struggled to put up a lot of points. The Gators are still in the running for a NY6 bid and get a bye week this week to prepare for their rivalry game vs Florida State.

13. Wisconsin

Last Week: W over Nebraska 37-21

The Badgers got a win over the Huskers to move to 8-2. Up next, they face Purdue at home, which could be a trap game before a potential Big Ten West Title shot at Minnesota in 2 weeks.

14. Michigan

Last Week: W over Michigan State 44-10

The Wolverines battled early, but pulled away against the rival Spartans to move to 8-2. Up next, Michigan travels to Indiana to face a Hoosiers squad that could keep the game close.

15. Notre Dame

Last Week: W over Navy 52-20

Notre Dame destroyed Navy and made sure there was no upset bid. The Irish still have a shot at a NY6 bid, but they must continue winning this week vs Boston College.

16. Memphis

Last Week: W over Houston 45-27

The Tigers got a win against Houston to keep them in front for the G5 NY6 bid. However, they still must face Cincinnati in 2 weeks. A loss there could potentially keep them out of the AAC Title. Up next is a trip to USF vs a Bulls team that will be attempting to fight for bowl eligibility (4-6).

17. Cincinnati

Last Week: W over South Florida 20-17

The Bearcats have struggled the last couple weeks to pull out wins vs inferior opponents and that has dropped them to 2nd in the G5 NY6 standings. USF missed 4 FGs and Cincinnati won on a late FG. Up next, Cincinnati faces Temple in attempt to clinch the AAC East Title.

18. Iowa

Last Week: W over Minnesota 23-19

The Hawkeyes got their yearly upset win and field rush vs the undefeated Gophers, showing how good they can be. The 7-3 Hawkeyes have 3 losses to ranked team by 1 possession. Up next, Iowa faces an Illinois team that is on fire recently. Ten wins is still achievable for the Hawks.

19. Boise State

Last Week: W over New Mexico 42-9

The Broncos kept themselves within striking distance for that G5 bid with an easy win vs New Mexico. Up next is a trip to Utah State and a chance to clinch the MW Mountain division.

20. Auburn

Last Week: L vs Georgia 21-14

Auburn’s inconsistency on offense killed them again as they didn’t score until the 4th quarter. The Tigers now have 3 losses and would fall to 8-4 if they lose to Alabama. Up next is an easy home game against FCS Samford.

21. Appalachian State

Last Week: W over Georgia State 56-27

It was a close game early, but the Mountaineers were too much for the Panthers and they pulled away to get to 9-1. Up next, App State faces Texas State to get to 10-1 and clinch a spot in the SBC Title Game.

22. SMU

Last Week: Bye

SMU had a bye week to work with the struggling defense ahead of their big division game against Navy. A win and they put themselves in position to make the conf title with a Memphis loss.

23. Oklahoma State

Last Week: W over Kansas 31-13

Oklahoma State took care of Kansas to get to 7-3 and move up a couple spots. Up next is a trip to West Virginia with a home game against Top 10 Oklahoma looming a week later. The big story for the Pokes is RB Chuba Hubbard, who currently sits at 3rd in my POY rankings.

24. Virginia Tech

Last Week: W over Georgia Tech 45-0

Virginia Tech has been playing good football as of late and they make a jump into my rankings for the first time this season with a blowout of Georgia Tech. Up next is a home game against Pittsburgh that will have huge ramifications on the ACC Coastal race.

25. Pittsburgh

Last Week: W over North Carolina 34-27

The Panthers kept themselves in the ACC Coastal race with an OT win vs UNC last week. This week they travel to Virginia Tech in an ACC Coastal elimination game.

26. Air Force/Texas A&M

AF Last Week: W over Colorado State 38-21

The Falcons pulled away late to get their record to 8-2 on the year and snuck into my Top 26 for the first time this season. Up next is a trip to New Mexico. But they need a Boise State loss to keep their MW hopes alive.

A&M Last Week: W over South Carolina 30-6

Texas A&M dominated on defense vs the Gamecocks and moved to 7-3 on the year to barely find a spot in my Top 26. The stay may be short lived as they face Georgia this week.

-Next Teams Up-

Virginia

Last Week: Bye

Marshall

Last Week: W over Louisiana Tech 31-10

Temple

Last Week: W over Tulane 29-21

UL Lafayette

Last Week: W over South Alabama 37-27

 

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