Pressure On For College Football Playoff Top 10

With only two games left as the regular season of college football, rankings are becoming increasingly important as the determining factor of which teams will make it to the postseason in the first year of the playoff system. Florida State recently took over the number one spot once again in the AP Poll Top 25. The only other team to maintain an undefeated record is No. 18 Marshall.

New College Football Playoff Rankings will be announced tonight, upping the pressure of teams currently holding the 2-10 rankings. Mississippi State will certainly be slipping from their No. 1 playoff ranking after their loss to Alabama, as should No. 6 Arizona State after being defeated by Oregon State. Florida State currently holds the No.3 playoff ranking, which could work to the Seminole’s advantage considering Mississippi State’s loss and Oregon’s bye week. No. 7 Baylor and No. 10 Ole Miss also had a bye this past week, possibly causing difficulties in hanging onto their lower holdings in the top ten ranks.

TCU’s narrow victory over an unranked Kansas was nothing to praise the No. 4 team over, and could certainly affect their ranking. Ohio State’s 31-24 win over Minnesota was not a notable performance either.

No. 5 Alabama managed a five point win to upset the undefeated Mississippi State bulldogs at home in one of their biggest games of the season, which should certainly guarantee their advancement in the rankings and could possibly lock them in as a playoff contender. Additionally, this caused even more chaos in the powerhouse that is the SEC West, once again leaving the regional title still entirely up for grabs. Auburn lost in a shocking 34-7 effort at UGA’s Sanford Stadium, which could push the Bulldogs into the top 10 after climbing nine spots in the AP Poll. The Tigers have lost a realistic chance at the playoffs this year in addition to a spot at the SEC Championship game.

UCLA and Michigan State currently sit just below the top 10 also have an opportunity to work their way up the rankings with a win in week 12.

Only four teams ranked by the College Football Playoff Committee will make it to the games to fight for a chance at the National Championship title, today’s new rankings and the final two games will certainly up the competition for hopeful teams.

Notable Injuries

Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon ankle injury, expected to return this weekend

Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong head injury, undetermined return

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson knee injury, not expected to play this Saturday
Georgia RB Todd Gurley ACL tear, out for season

Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell ankle injury, out for season

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson shoulder injury, undetermined return

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller shoulder injury, out for season

*Section Photo credit to Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Marvin Gentry, USA Today Sports

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