No. 5 Oklahoma (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) is also in the same spot they were in last week after their 62-52 shootout victory over Oklahoma State. However, there are growing concerns for the Sooners defense that is allowing over 400 yards per game, despite their offense totaling over 600 yards per game.
“Obviously, we’re aware of their defensive efficiencies and productions, and obviously, Oklahoma on offense is at the highest end, and their defense is not quite at that same level. But as a team, we believe they’re the No. 5 team in the country,” Committee chairman Kirby Hocutt said.
With both Ohio State and Penn State losing, room was created for teams to move up. No. 6 TCU (8-1, 5-1) jumped up two spots and will have a chance to climb at least to No.5 when it takes on Oklahoma this weekend. A pair of undefeated teams follow with No. 7 Miami (8-0, 6-0 ACC) and No. 8 Wisconsin (9-0, 6-0 B1G).
The Hurricanes hopped the Badgers with their win over Virginia Tech. The U has a chance to gain more ground on the Top 4 as it hosts Notre Dame this week. A victory over the No.3 Irish will quell any worries about Miami’s resume to this point and will impress the committee further.
“Miami was a team that the Selection Committee and all of us had seen a couple of their wins come in dramatic fashion, wanted to continue to watch and evaluate Miami, and we were very impressed with their performance against a solid Virginia Tech team that is ranked 17th this week, very impressed with Miami defensively.”
Two more teams made leaps to fill out the Top 10. No. 9 Washington (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) and No. 10 Auburn (7-2, 5-1). The Huskies climbed up three spots while the Tigers moved four spots. Auburn has an opportunity to become the first two-loss team to make the CFP Semi-finals as it faces Georgia this week and if it beats Alabama to end the regular season, they will have a rematch against the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship.
A large group of two-loss teams follow with head-to-head matchups being the deciding factor between them. No. 11 USC (8-2, 6-1 PAC-12), No. 12 Michigan St.(7-2, 5-1 B1G), No. 13 Ohio St. (7-2, 5-1 B1G), No. 14 Penn St. (8-2, 4-2 B1G) and No 15. Oklahoma St. (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) are all said to be separated by a thin margin.
“These teams are very close to one another, and their head-to-head results continue to be a deciding factor in the committee’s consideration,” Hocutt said of the grouping.
The final ten teams in the rankings are, No. 16 Mississippi St (6-2, 3-2 SEC), No. 17 Virginia Tech (7-2, 3-2 ACC), No. 18 UCF (8-0, 5-0 AAC), No. 19 Washington St.(8-2, 5-2 PAC-12), No. 20 Iowa (6-3, 3-3 B1G), No. 21 Iowa St. (6-3, 4-2 Big 12), No. 22 Memphis (7-1, 5-1 AAC) No. 23 NC State (6-3, 4-1 ACC), No. 24 LSU (6-3, 3-2 SEC), No. 25 Northwestern (6-3, 4-2 B1G).
UCF is the highest-ranked Group of Five team and will have a chance at a Peach Bowl bid if they run the table. Hocutt described the committee’s thought process in ranking the Knights behind a number of two-loss teams.
“We as a Selection Committee spent time this afternoon talking about Central Florida, impressive team, just the strength of schedule, it’s a challenge to position them higher at this point in time.” Hocutt also noted that UCF is the highest-ranked Group of Five team this early in the rankings ever.
The rankings will next be released Tuesday, Nov. 14 and the final rankings to choose the College Football Playoff semifinals will be delivered on Sunday, Dec. 3.
