The committee has their hands full after another round of upsets rocked college football over the weekend. Four teams ranked in the top 15 were upset. While the committee sometimes has a mind of its own, we have projected what the latest rankings will look like. Feel free to reference the current College Football Playoff rankings. Click the arrow at the right hand side of the page to see our Week 12 College Football Playoff rankings projections. (Getty)
No. 8 Florida Gators
Record: 9-1
Current Playoff Ranking: 11th
What the Committee Likes: Despite being in the SEC, Florida has found themselves lower in the rankings than one might think they would be. Florida has a number of good wins, but they are missing a great win. They will have an opportunity at the end of the season to get one against Florida State.
Areas of Concern: The SEC East has had a bit of a down year. There is a large gap between Florida and everyone else. The Gators strength of schedule has an opportunity to improve after Florida State and the SEC Championship. (Getty)
No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners
Record: 9-1
Current Playoff Ranking: 12th
What the Committee Likes: The Sooners had the biggest win of the weekend. They are surging since their loss to Texas. The Sooners also have an opportunity to add to their quality wins with upcoming games against TCU and Oklahoma State.
Areas of Concern: The Texas loss continues to look like a really bad loss. It is as bad of a loss as any of the Top 20 teams have. Oklahoma is hoping their strength of schedule in November can cancel out their debts for the Red River Shootout. (Getty)
No. 6 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Record: 10-0
Current Playoff Ranking: 8th
What the Committee Likes: The Cowboys are undefeated and have a quality win against TCU. They have two more opportunities to add to those quality wins in the next two weeks as they face TCU and Oklahoma. If they are able to win the next two games, they will be in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.
Areas of Concern: Oklahoma State does not have the best strength of schedule. They also trailed a bad Iowa State team for much of the game. We will see if the committee drops them down any for their most recent performance. (Getty)
No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes
Record: 10-0
Current Playoff Ranking: 5th
What the Committee Likes: The committee surprised many people by moving Iowa up all the way to fifth in their most recent rankings. The Hawkeyes got a narrow victory over Minnesota this past Saturday. The 5th spot seems to be Iowa's ceiling unless they can find a way to win the Big Ten Championship in a few weeks.
Areas of Concern: For Iowa, it is all about their schedule. They have managed to avoid the top Big Ten teams in the regular season. They will need to win the Big Ten to have any shot at making the playoff. (Getty)
No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Record: 9-1
Current Playoff Ranking: 4th
What the Committee Likes: The committee has loved Notre Dame since they unveiled their initial rankings. They like Notre Dame's strength of schedule and look favorably on their narrow loss to Clemson. With the upsets over the weekend, it appears the Irish will control their own destiny in the College Football Playoff. If they win the next two weeks, it is hard to imagine Notre Dame on the outside looking in.
Areas of Concern: Notre Dame faced Wake Forest this past week and faces Boston College this week. Do not expect the committee to drop the Irish based on this. They seem to have done enough with their early schedule. (Getty)
No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes
Record: 10-0
Current Playoff Ranking: 3rd
What the Committee Likes: The Buckeyes are one of the most talented teams in the country and remained unbeaten. They will get an opportunity to prove how good they are against a good Michigan State team this week. J.T. Barrett is back under center and the Buckeyes should continue to roll.
Areas of Concern: Ohio State does not have a marquee win. Their two most difficult games of the season are at the end of their schedule. The next two weeks will determine how good the Buckeyes really are as they face Michigan State and Michigan. (Getty)
No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide
Record: 9-1
Current Playoff Ranking: 2nd
What the Committee Likes: Alabama is playing like the best team in the country right now. For the second straight week, the Crimson Tide easily handled a ranked opponent. This time it was in Starkville against Mississippi State. With Derrick Henry playing like the best running back in college football and a defensive front seven that is stopping everything in its path, Alabama may be the most difficult team to beat in the country.
Areas of Concern: The only thing to not like about Alabama is their loss to Ole Miss. Alabama's strength of schedule makes up for the loss but the Crimson Tide would overwhelmingly be ranked number one without the loss. (Getty)
No. 1 Clemson Tigers
Record: 10-0
Current Playoff Ranking: 1st
What the Committee Likes: Wins against Florida State and Notre Dame give them two quality wins. They have the best win of any of the top teams in the committee's eyes with their defeat of Notre Dame. The Tigers will have the opportunity to add another quality win to their resume against North Carolina in the ACC Championship in a few weeks.
Areas of Concern: Clemson received a real scare against Syracuse. Clemson had displayed consistency throughout the season but showed signs of vulnerability against Syracuse. It will likely not be enough for the committee to move them from the number one spot but is worth keeping an eye on. (Getty)
College Football Playoff Rankings Projections Week 12