College Football Playoff Rankings: Alabama Remains No. 1

(GETTY)

(GETTY)

Another week, another questionable performance. Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles struggled at home last week to a tough Boston College team, and barely escaped with a 20-17 victory. Despite their undefeated record, Florida State remains behind last week’s top two teams — Alabama and Oregon — in this week’s College Football Playoff Rankings.

Rivalry week is upon us and there are several games that may end up impacting, or possibly entirely shifting the complexion of the top four. With start-times next to each, these games games include:

Thursday, November 27: No. 5 TCU at Texas, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 29: Florida vs. No. 3 Florida State, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 29: No. 4 Mississippi State at No. 8 Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 29: No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 1 Alabama, 7:45 p.m. “The Iron Bowl”

Saturday, November 29: No. 2 Oregon vs. Oregon State, 8:00 p.m. “The Civil War”

TCU would stand to benefit the most from any of the top four losing; they were only five points behind Mississippi State in last week’s rankings.

The College Football Playoff Committee has chosen their top four. You can see the complete rankings here.

Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1)

Alabama vs. Mississippi State

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Last week the Crimson Tide comfortably defeated the Western Carolina Catamounts 48-14 at home. That was just the appetizer for the main event. Auburn defeated Alabama last year in one of the most surreal endings the Iron Bowl has ever seen.


Oregon Ducks (9-1)

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota

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At 2-9, Colorado is the worst team in the Pac-12, so it came as no surprise as the Ducks were able to run through the Buffaloes last week 44-10. Two weeks ago, Oregon State defeated then No. 6 ranked Arizona State in an upset 35-27. The Beavers have struck once, and this game is always played tough.


Florida State Seminoles (10-0)

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Florida Gators’ head coach Will Muschamp will step down at the end of the season. The Gators have struggled mostly all season, losing heart-breaking games such as their 23-20 OT loss to South Carolina two weeks ago. Despite this, they’re bowl eligible, and will most likely give the Seminoles a game, much like their schedule has done all season long.


Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-1)

Dak Prescott (Getty)

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Mississippi State travels to Ole Miss for the Egg Bowl. The Bulldogs can still reach the SEC Championship Game with a win and an Alabama loss.


On the Outside Looking In

TCU Horned Frogs (9-1)

TCU

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Trevone Boykin and TCU travel to Austin to take on a Texas team led by head coach Charlie Strong that has significantly struggled through portions of 2014. If TCU wins, they’ll remain in the catbird seat for the Big 12 title. If they lose, they’re out.

Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1)

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An early season 35-21 out-of-conference loss to Virginia Tech seemed like it would derail the Buckeyes season before it got started. Nine games later, undefeated in the Big 10 and having defeated ranked opponents (Michigan State and Minnesota), each on the road prior to last week, the Wolverines stand in-between Ohio State and the Big 10 Championship Game. The Buckeyes have the added advantage of playing one more game over TCU and whoever doesn’t represent the SEC West between Alabama and Mississippi State in the SEC Championship Game.