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Second college Football playoff rankings
College Football Playoff Rankings

Despite no teams changing in the Top-4 for this week’s College Football Playoff Rankings, there was definitely a shake up in the rest of the CFP Top 25. Let’s take a look into this week’s College Football Playoff Rankings, and see who got snubbed for this week.

Second college Football playoff rankings

1. Georgia Bulldogs (9-0)
The attention of being the #1 team in the country has yet to faze head coach Kirby Smart. Even to the point where the Bulldogs cliched the SEC East Title, has yet to be mentioned in the friendly confines of Sanford Stadium. Thanks to the strength-of-record (SOR), even if the Bulldogs fail to beat Auburn, Georgia’s SOR will guarantee a playoff berth. However, critics are worried with the play of quarterback Jake Fromm and the rest of the team going into the weekend.

Next game: @ #10 Auburn

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-0)
Over the course of the season, the Crimson Tide had to deal with a series of injuries involving their starting lineup. However, thanks to Alabama’s domination in recruiting, the depth chart will always step up and get the job done. This week is important for the Tide as this week’s match-up would give them the opportunity to be a quality win and possibly jump Georgia in the rankings. However, in-state rival #10 Auburn is within striking distance to end Alabama’s reign over the SEC West.

Next game: @ #16 Mississippi State

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1)
Despite being the #3 team in the nation, the Irish remains the biggest underdog in making the Final Four. The Irish’s lack of a strong conference schedule will be the cause of their exclusion if the voters omit Notre Dame in the final standings. However all odds are still in their favor. Notre Dame could still convince the voters with a challenge against “The U.” Thankfully, Notre Dame is 18-7-1 against the Hurricanes; it will be a key win for them. A loss in Miami? Sayonara to the playoffs.

Next game: @ #7 Miami

Clemson Tigers (8-1)
The Tigers, at this point, are going to represent the Atlantic Division in the conference championship game. Clemson is favored to secure a spot in the college football playoff thanks to the remaining three games on the schedule. Nothing to worry about regarding Clemson at this point in the season. However, Florida State, a team many favored to win the national championship, is going to be desperate in clinching bowl eligibility.

Next game: vs Florida State

NOTABLE OMISSIONS

Big 12 (Oklahoma #5, TCU #6)

After a record setting shootout against Oklahoma State, the Sooners are on the outside for a playoff position. TCU, on the other hand, cruised by an underwhelming Texas Longhorns team. Both the Sooners and the Horned Frogs are basically playing in the Big 12 Title Game in Norman, Oklahoma. A win, will give either team the #5 ranking. The major question here is if winning out is going to guarantee a playoff spot for the Big 12 for the second time in the playoff’s short history.

ACC (Miami #7)

The Hurricane’s head coach Mark Richt is known for having a track record in losing the games that mattered. This week’s matchup against #3 Notre Dame will make or break Miami’s season and Richt’s legacy as a head coach. The U despite claiming the ACC Coastal Division, will need this win in order to convince voters that the undefeated Hurricanes are a Top-4 Team.

Big 10 (Wisconsin #8)

Wisconsin is the conference’s only hope when it comes to finishing with an undefeated season and winning the conference. Many would think that either Ohio State or Penn State would have been the Big Ten’s representative in the playoff, however Iowa and Michigan State had other plans on Saturday. However the voters will be the Badgers’ biggest challenge if it ever came to an undefeated season AND a conference crown.

PAC 12 (Washington #9, USC #11)

Washington is a team to look out for in the upcoming weeks. Chris Pedersen has kept the Huskies under the radar all year and could be the dark horse going into the final weeks. A feisty Standford team could derail the Huskies’ hopes.

By looking at USC’s place in the PAC 12 South, the Trojans have punched their ticket to the PAC 12 Championship Game. USC, an early playoff favorite, will be watching a lot of football for the next few weeks to see if the other teams ranked above them fall.

SEC (Auburn #10)

The Auburn Tigers could be the team that could play spoils in the playoff picture. The Tigers are going to close out the season with two Top-5 match-ups in the next three weeks. Their top-15 offense AND defense could end the runs of Georgia and Alabama in the coming weeks. However, chances for them to make the playoffs are slim… at the moment.

The playoff committee, although not barring any changes in the Top-4, have really set themselves for for controversy and chaos in the coming weeks. Wisconsin and Miami’s undefeated records and not in consideration in the Top-4 is something of concern. This week’s match-ups will most certainly be entertaining to watch and hopefully a major shake-up in the standings will happen next Tuesday.