Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after Week 13, and the rankings changed dramatically from Week 12 due to several upsets.
The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t fall victim to an upset. They convincingly beat the UMass Minutemen 59-21. Carson Beck played in rhythm once again with four touchdown passes, and Nate Frazier continued to prove his case as the lead running back post-Trevor Etienne. However, the defense was shaky, letting the Minutemen rush for 226 yards and stay in the game until the third quarter.
The Bulldogs rank No. 5 in Joel Klatt’s rankings, behind just Texas in the SEC and Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon in the Big Ten. However, Georgia fans are still jubilant because the Bulldogs officially clinched a spot in the SEC championship for the fourth consecutive year.
That’s because the Alabama Crimson Tide were upset 24-3 against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. The Sooners used stifling defense and a blistering running game to dominate the time of possession. As a result, Alabama falls out of Joel Klatt’s list, and with three losses, the Crimson Tide are more than likely out of the college football playoff.
That Alabama-Oklahoma game was not the only upset that occurred. Ole Miss lost to the Florida Gators 24-17, the Texas A&M Aggies were defeated in four overtimes to the Auburn Tigers, and the Kansas Jayhawks played spoiler, beating the 8-3 Colorado Buffaloes. Now the Buffaloes will need help to make the Big 12 championship.
Everyone, including College GameDay had their eyes on the Indiana-Ohio State matchup, but the Buckeyes ran away with the game, winning 38-15. The Hoosiers had a 7-0 lead going into the second quarter, but two turnovers and a botched punt allowed the Buckeyes to take a 14-7 lead going into halftime. In the second half, the Buckeyes scored 17 more unanswered points to win convincingly.
With the fourth College Football Playoff rankings coming on Nov. 26, there’s only one week left to solidify playoff spots for those that don’t make their conference championship. A few spots should open up this week with Alabama, Ole Miss, and Indiana losing.
Next week is rivalry weekend. Week 14 always brings a lot of volatility, but there’s no matchup more important than the Texas vs. Texas A&M matchup. The winner of that matchup will make the SEC championship. If Texas wins, it all but guarantees the Longhorn’s spot in the College Football Playoff. If Texas A&M wins, the Aggies at least get a chance to win the SEC.
Honorable Mentions: Boise State Broncos, Clemson Tigers, Tulane Green Wave
Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:
No. 10: SMU Mustangs
Record: 10-1 (plus-14.9 average point differential)
Result: Win at Virginia Cavaliers 33-7
No. 9: Indiana Hoosiers
Record: 10-1 (plus-20.4 average point differential)
Result: Loss at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 38-15
No. 8: Miami Hurricanes
Record: 10-1 (plus-20.0 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 42-14
No. 7: Tennessee Volunteers
Record: 9-2 (plus-20.1 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. UTEP Miners 56-0
No. 6: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Record: 10-1 (plus-27.4 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Army Black Knights 49-14
No. 5: Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 9-2 (plus-8.7 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. UMass Minutemen 59-21
No. 5: Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 10-1 (plus-17.7 average point differential)
Result: Win at Minnesota Golden Gophers 26-25
No. 3: Texas Longhorns
Record: 10-1 (plus-24.4 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. Kentucky Wildcats 31-14
No. 2: Ohio State Buckeyes
Record: 10-1 (plus-27.5 average point differential)
Result: Win vs. No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers 38-15
No. 1: Oregon Ducks
Record: 11-0 (plus-19 average point differential)
Result: Bye
