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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Owen Hillman

Joel Klatt’s top 10 college football rankings after drama-filled rivalry week

Joel Klatt Georgia (Organization) Ohio State Football Imagn Images Miami Michigan (Organization) Tennessee (Organization) Texas USA TODAY Network

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after rival week (Week 14). Klatt’s ranking underwent some major changes due to some high-profile upsets.

Rivalry week is always a spectacle in college football and the Georgia-Georgia Tech barnburner couldn’t have been a better start to the week. The Bulldogs trailed 17-0 at halftime, but Georgia rallied back to tie it 27-27 and sent the game to overtime.

In the first two overtimes, Georgia and Georgia Tech teams scored two touchdowns, but for the next five overtimes, it was a stalemate. Both teams had to score on alternating two-point conversions, and the teams only scored on one of the next five overtimes. The Bulldogs finally ended the game in the eighth overtime with a Nate Frazier run, winning the rivalry game 44-42. Georgia sits at No. 7 in Klatt’s rankings.

The Michigan vs. Ohio State game was one of several games with bad blood. The Wolverines and Buckeyes played in a gritty, physical game, deadlocked at 10-10 at halftime. Then, Michigan finally produced a productive drive, kicking a field goal with only 48 seconds left. Ohio State had one chance left, but the offense went four-and-out, and Michigan won The Game for the fourth time in a row.

After the game, both teams had a massive brawl because Michigan tied to plant their flag in the Ohio State logo. As a result of the loss, Ohio State falls down to No. 6 in Joel Klatt’s rankings.

The Miami Hurricanes dropped from Joel Klatt’s rankings altogether after a stunning 42-38 loss to Syracuse. In the second quarter, Miami had a 21-0 lead, but they blew it in disastrous fashion. Former Georgia assistant Fran Brown picked up his most impressive win of the season and Miami misses the ACC championship because of the loss.

Texas-Texas A&M had the most playoff implications of any game with the winners advancing to the SEC championship to play Georgia. Texas came out on top, winning 17-7. Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner had a career day, with 186 rushing yards on 33 carries, and the Longhorns defense didn’t allow the Aggies to score a single offensive touchdown.

The fourth College Football Playoff rankings on Dec. 3 will determine the fate of each team that didn’t make their conference championship. Penn State, Notre Dame, and Tennessee are surefire bets to make the playoffs. Miami and Ohio State still have a great chance despite losing. However, Miami will have to worry about Alabama, South Carolina, or Ole Miss potentially usurping the Hurricanes.

Next week is championship weekend. The Bulldogs play Texas in the SEC championship, Oregon and Penn State play in the Big Ten championship, Clemson and SMU facing off for the ACC title, and Iowa State matching up vs. Arizona State for the Big 12 championship. UNLV vs. Boise State (the Mountain West Championship) is the biggest game outside of the Power 4, but Tulane vs. Army from the American could be interesting if Army wins and Boise State loses.

Honorable Mentions: Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Boise State Broncos, Miami Hurricanes

Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:

No. 10: Alabama Crimson Tide