There was no expectation that this week’s College Football Playoff committee rankings would change with the top seven teams all winning in Week 11.
So it was a small surprise that No. 1 Georgia was followed by Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State in the top four positions as they were last week. Cincinnati, Michigan and Michigan State were in the fifth to seventh places the group occupied last week.
All but the undefeated Bearcats, who are trying to be the first Group of Five team to make the field, are likely to control their fate. Ohio State is set to face Michigan and Michigan State in the final two weeks. Georgia and Alabama are on a collision course for the SEC title game. Oregon probably has two games against No. 23 Utah before. With all the difficulty ahead for its competitors, Cincinnati should go up someday if it can continue to win.
The biggest loser of the weekend was Oklahoma. The Sooners slipped five places to No. 13 after their loss to Baylor. The Bears improved two places to No. 11. Notre Dame replaces Oklahoma at No. 8. Oklahoma State and Wake Forest complete the top 10.
Hoping to finish in position for New Year’s Six bowl, independent Brigham Young remains at number 14 placing the Cougars just outside the top 12, a ranking had to be considered for a place.
The SEC leads all conferences with six teams in the rankings. The Big Ten was just behind with five. The Big 12 and ACC were next with three.
Nr. 19 San Diego State, Nr. 22 Texas San Antonio and Nr. 24 Houston is the other Group of Five representatives after Cincinnati and BYU. The highest-rated champion among those conferences is a guaranteed place in New Year’s Six bowl.
Houston and Mississippi State are the two teams moving into the rankings. Falling out are Purdue and Auburn.
The final rankings of the season will be released on December 5th. The semifinals will be held at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl on December 31st.
College Football Playoff Committee Top 25
1. Georgia (10-0)
2. Alabama (9-1)
3. Oregon (9-1)
4. Ohio State (9-1)
5. Cincinnati (10-0)
6. Michigan (9-1)
7. State of Michigan (9-1)
8. Notre Dame (9-1)
9. Oklahoma State (9-1)
10. Wake Forest (9-1)
11. Baylor (8-2)
12. Mississippi (8-2)
13. Oklahoma (9-1)
14. Brigham Young (8-2)
15. Wisconsin (7-3)
16. Texas A&M (7-3)
17. Iowa (8-2)
18. Pittsburgh (8-2)
19. San Diego State (9-1)
20. North Carolina State (7-3)
21. Arkansas (7-3)
22 Texas-San Antonio (10-0)
23. Utah (7-3)
24. Houston (9-1)
25. Mississippi State (6-4)
