The College Football Playoff rankings are poised to see minimal change following a quiet weekend for many top teams. The most notable debate surrounding the upcoming rankings marks a potential matchup for the No. 6 position, with Mississippi and Oregon in contention. Oregon cemented its status as a contender with a commanding victory over Southern California, which may be enough to push the Ducks ahead of the Rebels when the rankings are released on Tuesday evening.
As teams prepare for Thanksgiving weekend’s crucial rivalry games, these matchups could significantly influence the final conference championship placements. The stakes are particularly high, especially for Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M, who have positioned themselves at the top of the rankings.
This week’s top 12 rankings are as follows:
1. Ohio State (11-0): Coming off a pivotal win against Texas (14-7) on Aug. 30, the Buckeyes will face No. 15 Michigan in a highly anticipated rivalry game. Ohio State aims to put an end to a four-game losing streak in this matchup.
2. Indiana (11-0): The Hoosiers, having achieved a significant victory over Oregon on Oct. 11, will meet Purdue on Friday, where they are favored to win and set a program record for most wins in a season.
3. Texas A&M (11-0): After a narrow win at Notre Dame, the Aggies prepare to meet No. 16 Texas on Friday. A loss here could mean missing the SEC championship game should Alabama secure a win against Auburn.
4. Georgia (10-1): Following a victory against Mississippi, Georgia hosts No. 19 Georgia Tech. A win could strengthen their resume even without a spot in the SEC championship game.
5. Texas Tech (10-1): With a solid win against Brigham Young, the Red Raiders will face West Virginia this Saturday, needing to maintain momentum as they head towards the Big 12 championship.
6. Mississippi (10-1): The Rebels are set to take on Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, a potential season finale that may also see head coach Lane Kiffin announce his future plans.
7. Oregon (10-1): With a recent win over Southern California, the Ducks are eyeing a solid performance against Washington this Saturday, which could bolster their ranking.
8. Oklahoma (9-2): After overcoming Alabama, the Sooners face LSU, seeking another win to secure an at-large playoff berth.
9. Notre Dame (9-2): The Irish, having recently crushed Syracuse, prepare for Stanford, aspiring to return to the playoffs for consecutive years.
10. Alabama (9-2): With a win over Georgia, Alabama is gearing up to face Auburn, with many teams hoping for an upset that could complicate the playoff picture.
11. Brigham Young: Following their victory against Utah, the Cougars anticipate an easy win against Central Florida ahead of a rematch with Texas Tech.
12. Miami: The Hurricanes, who have regained their form after a mid-season slump, are set to face No. 24 Pittsburgh, aiming to move up in the rankings after a promising performance against Notre Dame earlier this year.
As the drama of college football unfolds, the results from Thanksgiving weekend will be crucial in determining conference champions and playoff contenders, adding an exciting twist to the season’s final stretch.