The seventh week of the college football season is in the books. There were plenty of good games to watch and some matchups had College Football Playoff implications. So who set themselves up well enough to make the College Football Playoff?
Note: These rankings only take into account what has happened on the field and will not project what will happen in the future. Teams with weaker schedules, to this point, will not be ranked as highly until they get some better wins.
CFP Four
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0)
The Buckeyes did struggle with Minnesota, but pulled away late to win 30-14. They still have a great win over Penn State, although the Penn State win looks a little worse now that Michigan State was able to go into Happy Valley and get a victory. The Big Ten East looks like it is theirs for the taking yet again and after that all they have to do is win the Big Ten Championship to make the College Football Playoff.
This week: at Purdue Boilermakers
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0)
Notre Dame played one of their worst games in weeks, only beating Pittsburgh 19-14. They had to come back to win in the fourth quarter, but they did get the job done. The Fighting Irish do however still have a good resume for the CFP committee with wins over Stanford, Michigan and Virginia Tech. The rest of the schedule will be pretty light, but if they win out, they’ll be in the college football playoff.
This week: BYE
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)
Nick Saban sure has his team looking like the best team in the country. The win over Missouri is decent, but the only really good team they’ve played is Texas A&M who has been rising up the rankings. Their schedule is brutal in November, but it doesn’t look like Alabama will have too many troubles this season.
This week: at Tennessee Volunteers
4. Clemson Tigers (6-0)
Clemson had a bye this week, but moves up as a result of Georgia losing. Their resume still lacks a marquee win, but their win over Texas A&M is pretty good and getting better. The Aggies beat South Carolina and still have only lost to Clemson and Alabama. With the ACC struggling, Clemson doesn’t have too much margin for error down the stretch.
This week: vs. NC State Wolfpack
First four out
5. LSU Tigers (6-1)
LSU pulled off the home upset over Georgia and controlled the game in doing so. Although the loss to Florida still stings, the win over the Bulldogs helps move them back up these rankings. Auburn losing to Tennesse hurts LSU’s case for the CFP, but ultimately they control their own destiny.
This week: vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
6. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
There should be no shame in losing at LSU, but it does result in a small drop in these rankings. The Bulldogs got beat handily, but still have a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game and possibly the CFP if they win out. The SEC East does pose more challenges than originally thought, but Georgia has supreme talent.
This week: BYE
7. Texas Longhorns (6-1)
Texas may have overlooked Baylor, even though they were able to hang on for the win. Their win over Oklahoma still holds the most water in terms of impressing the CFP committee. They will get a much-needed breather before resuming Big 12 play.
This week: BYE
8. Michigan Wolverines (6-1)
The Wolverines made easy work of Wisconsin to propel themselves back into the CFP conversation. Since their loss to Notre Dame, Michigan has dominated the competition other than a close win at Northwestern. Harbaugh doesn’t have much success against Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State, but if he keeps this up he could break that trend.
This week: at Michigan State Spartans
Next four out
9. Oregon Ducks (5-1)
The Pac-12 is not looking good in terms of getting a team in the CFP. Stanford and Washington each have two losses, after Oregon beat the Huskies in overtime Saturday, and no two-loss team has made the CFP. Colorado, who was undefeated, ended up losing to USC. Oregon holds the best chances of making the CFP, with one loss and a win over Washington to help, but they’ll need some real help.
This week: at Washington State Cougars
10. Kentucky Wildcats (5-1)
There was a great chance that Kentucky could fall down the rankings with other teams getting a chance to play games while the Wildcats were on a bye this week, but a lot of the contenders lost. With their wins over Florida and Mississippi State looking really good, Kentucky is in a good position.
This week: vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
11. NC State Wolpack (5-0)
The Wolfpack were on a bye this week and with their game against West Virginia being canceled earlier in the season, haven’t had a chance to really prove themselves. Their wins over Virginia and Boston College are ok, but if the Wolfpack can get a win this week, those will be forgotten.
This week: at Clemson Tigers
12. Florida Gators (6-1)
Florida started off slow against Vanderbilt, but was able to fight back to beat Vanderbilt. The win over LSU not only looks good, but helps to show that Florida might be able to beat Georgia in two weeks. The Florida defense is good, while the offense is coming along steadily, which means they could be a much better team by the time the year ends.
This week: BYE
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