By: Brock Vierra

This recent week of college football was fantastic. More College Football Playoff eliminations, more close calls for top teams, and some teams benefitting by taking the early BYE. Notre Dame fell out of the top 10 after a very unimpressive performance in Durham as Alabama got back into the mix after a dominant performance in Starkville. Utah gets a little love due to their QB situation as Oregon State and Ole Miss reappear after their ranked victories. Next week should see massive mix-ups within the top 10 as Red River welcomes #4 Texas and #12 Oklahoma. #16 Kentucky visits Athens, Georgia while #11 Notre Dame plays #18 Louisville with thr winner having the possibility of jumping into the top 10.

Last week, Kansas, Syracuse, and Georgia State were in the Top 25. They were dropped due to their losses. Washington State and Kansas State benefitted from the bye as the Cougars jumped from 17 to 15 and Kansas State jumped back into the top 25 due to the quality of their loss to #17 Missouri. Just missing the cut this week are Texas A&M, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

1. Michigan. Some doubted the -18.5 line that the Wolverines took into Lincoln, Nebraska, and those doubters were wrong. A massive win against Nebraska combined with a poor performance by Georgia sees Michigan jump to the number one spot.
2. Georgia. Jordan-Hare isn’t an easy place to win at but winning a national title isn’t easy either so a mundane offense and unimpressive defense gives way to major concerns and a drop in the rankings.
3. Texas. Jalon Daniels was a late scratch and Texas dominated the whole game. No trap game for the Longhorns as they prepare for a visit to Dallas for their annual meetup with Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.
4. Florida State. The Seminoles had the week off and a competitive game from Washington was their saving grace. Another week not leaped for FSU.
5. Washington. Arizona gave the Huskies some problems in Tuscan but a conference win is a win. A little concerning that their explosive offense wasn’t able to put up more points against a below-average defense but they’ll fix their road woes.
6. Ohio State. Still celebrating their win over Notre Dame, Ohio State spent this week studying Mike Locksley and his explosive Maryland Terrapins offense as they welcome them to the Shoe.
7. USC. The Trojans looked to blow out the Buffaloes but their defensive woes sprung their fancy head again as Colorado made the game interesting late. Their offense continues to impress and at this point, I think we can say that this is as good as the defense is gonna get. Probably the only time the USC Trojans defense and the word good will be put together in the same sentence.
8. Penn State. A slow start from the Nittany Lions proved to be nothing besides a delay as Penn State’s second half surge sank the Wildcats. Penn State has done everything right but their pre-season rankings combined with a weak strength of schedule has stalled their playoff efforts.
9. Oregon. Easy game, easy win. Nothing more to add.
10. Alabama. Jalen Milroe has responded well to the criticism this year as Alabama goes to 2-0 in conference play with a dominant win at Mississippi State. Alabama’s defense continues to limit pass heavy offenses from major yardage as their run defense improves.

11-25:

11. Notre Dame

12. Oklahoma

13. North Carolina

14. Miami

15. Washington State

16. Kentucky

17. Missouri

18. Louisville

19. Ole Miss

20. Oregon State

21. Fresno State

22. Utah

23. Maryland

24. Kansas State

25. Air Force

For more CFP content, check out Team NBS Media’s Sunday morning recap show, The Last Word.