CFB Post-Week 11 Top 25
1) LSU (9–0) ( — )
Not only did LSU beat Alabama, but they did so in fairly convincing fashion. This victory just about solidifies LSU as the best team in the SEC and all but clinches the SEC West. The Tigers would need to lose at least two of their final three games for Alabama to even have a shot at a trip to the SEC Championship.
2) Ohio State (9–0) ( — )
Ho-hum, another blowout win over an inferior opponent for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is the clear second best team in the nation at this point in the season. Traveling to Rutgers this weekend, it’s fair to assume that the Buckeyes will be at 10–0, however, that’s when things could get choppy. Games vs Penn State and at Michigan to end the season could stand in the way of Ohio State and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
3) Clemson (10–0) (+2)
I don’t even bother to check the score of Clemson’s games just because I know there is just about no shot that they lose to whichever cupcake team they face that week. This time, that cupcake was NC State and Clemson thoroughly dominated them, as expected. The Tigers benefit from Alabama and Penn State’s losses and control their own destiny the rest of the way.
4) Minnesota (9–0) (+9)
Yes, LSU beat Alabama convincingly, but there was no more impressive performance this week than that of Minnesota. In the biggest game in the modern history of the Gophers, they came out firing on all cylinders and dominated Penn State early on. While the Nittany Lions were able to fight back, Minnesota ultimately prevailed. Such a win over a Top 10 team allows Minnesota to make a MASSIVE 9 spot jump into the playoff picture. Overall, this win gives Minnesota more quality wins than the likes of Alabama and the head-to-head victory catapults the Gophers ahead of Penn State.
5) Alabama (8–1) (-2)
The Crimson Tide’s loss to LSU hurts a lot more than a regular Top 10 loss usually does. Given that Alabama has played no other team currently ranked and the head-to-head loss just about puts the nail in the SEC West coffin, there could be a scenario where they miss the playoff entirely.
6) Penn State (8–1) (-2)
Overall, Penn State has a better resume than the likes of Georgia, Oregon, Florida and Utah, plain and simple. The committee this week ranked the Nittany Lions at #9, which to me is unfair based upon said resume. This is a team that has beaten a pair of ranked teams (Iowa, Michigan) as well as a Pitt team that has received AP votes. One loss to an undefeated team should not harm Penn State. Even with the loss, every one of the Nittany Lions goals is still within reach, however, the one caveat is that now their game at Ohio State is an absolute must-win. If Penn State can leave Columbus victorious, they would take the reins in the Big Ten East, which would likely set up a rematch with Minnesota in the Big Ten Championship.
7) Georgia (8–1) (-1)
The Bulldogs upended Missouri this past weekend to improve to 8–1. Leading the SEC East, a trip to the playoff remains possible for Georgia, but a huge matchup waits this coming Saturday as they travel to Auburn. While a loss here wouldn’t completely eliminate the Bulldogs from playoff contention, it would provide a tough hurdle to overcome.
8) Oregon (8–1) (-1)
Bye week. Minnesota’s win causes Oregon to slide one spot.
9) Florida (8–2) (-1)
The Gators routed lowly Vanderbilt this past weekend, but like Oregon, they fall one spot to make room for Minnesota. There is virtually no chance Florida can sneak its way into the playoff.
10) Utah (8–1) (-1)
Bye week. Another team harmed by Minnesota’s victory, Utah’s season will likely come down to a matchup with Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship.
11) Oklahoma (8–1) (-1)
The Sooners narrowly escaped yet another upset loss this past weekend, this time vs Iowa State. The finally three games of the season will certainly not be a cake walk for Oklahoma as they travel to Baylor this weekend before hosting TCU and finishing up at Oklahoma State. Running the table and winning the Big 12 could put Oklahoma in a good position to be in playoff consideration.
12) Baylor (9–0) ( — )
TCU gave Baylor quite the battle this past weekend and the Bears barely squeaked out a victory in triple overtime. TCU has proved to be a pesky, quality opponent throughout this season so there is absolutely nothing wrong with that outcome.
13) Auburn (7–2) (-2)
After narrowly escaping 4–6 Ole Miss by a score of 20–14, Auburn drops two spots, and is leapfrogged by undefeated Baylor. This just isn’t quite a playoff caliber team. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t end Georgia or Alabama’s playoff hopes here in the final month of the season.
14) Michigan (7–2) ( — )
Bye week.
15) Wisconsin (7–2) (+6)
Wisconsin beat Iowa in an under-the-radar quality matchup on Saturday, resulting in one of the biggest jumps of the week. Even with the head-to-head victory favoring the Badgers, Michigan has more quality wins on its resume and because of this, they remain ahead of Wisconsin.
16) Notre Dame (7–2) (-1)
The Irish dominated Duke en route to their 7th win of the season. As I say every week, this is a quality team but due to their conference situation and their blowout loss at Michigan, Notre Dame has no shot at the playoff.
17) Memphis (8–1) ( — )
Bye week.
18) Cincinnati (8–1) ( — )
A blowout win this past weekend puts the Bearcats at 8–1 on the season. With UCF’s loss to Tulsa, Cincinnati can clinch a spot in the AAC Championship with a win this weekend at South Florida.
19) Iowa (6–3) (-3)
The 2019 Hawkeyes are a very quality team. Yes they have three losses, but all three have come at the hands of ranked opponents (Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin.
20) SMU (9–1) (-1)
Coming off that tough loss at Memphis, SMU barely hung on to beat East Carolina in a 59–51 shootout. Following a bye, the Mustangs will face their biggest game of the season when they travel to Annapolis to take on Navy, who they are tied with for the AAC West.
21) Texas (6–3) (+2)
Similar to Iowa, Texas has three losses but all have come via quality opponents (LSU, Oklahoma, TCU). If Baylor falls to Oklahoma this weekend, the Longhorns matchup with the Bears the following week would likely decide who would have one final shot at Oklahoma in the Big12 Championship.
22) Boise State (8–1) (-2)
The Broncos just keep winning; it’s almost never pretty, but they get the job done. Boise State’s matchup with Utah State in two weeks’ time will go a long way in deciding who represents the Mountain division in the MWC Championship Game.
23) Navy (7–1) (+1)
Bye week.
24) Oklahoma State (6–3) (+1)
Bye week.
25) Kansas State (6–3) (-3)
Kansas State is another one of those very quality teams that has only sustained losses to ranked or borderline type teams. This time, a road loss at Texas is what causes the Wildcats to stumble three spots yet, they still remain in the Top 25.
WEEK 12 GAMES TO WATCH (With CFP Ranking):
Indiana at #9 Penn State (12:00 EST)
Michigan State at #15 Michigan (12:00 EST)
#11 Florida at Missouri (12:00 EST)
#23 Navy at #16 Notre Dame (2:30 EST)
#4 Georgia at #12 Auburn (3:30 EST)
#19 Texas at Iowa State (3:30 EST)
#8 Minnesota at #20 Iowa (4:00 EST)
#10 Oklahoma at #13 Baylor (7:30 EST)
- Tyler Benenati; Sports Throne Contributor
