2018 College Football Power Rankings Week 14

This week’s college football power rankings have a huge shakeup heading into conference championship week. Does Notre Dame belong in the Playoff no matter what happens ahead of College Football Playoff Selection Day on Sunday?

 

1. Alabama (12-0) | Last week: 1

Auburn made the Iron Bowl competitive for a bit, but Alabama is simply just too good. Tua Tagovailoa was as good as usual and appears fully healthy, while Jalen Hurts stepped in late and put his lone pass attempt right on the money for a 53-yard score. Georgia is going to be Alabama’s toughest matchup of the season, and it’ll be interesting to see what the Committee does if the Crimson Tide fall, as they’ve clearly shown to be a top-four team this season regardless of Saturday’s result.

 

2. Clemson (12-0) | Last week: 2

Giving up 510 yards and five touchdowns to Jake Bentley is a bit of a concern, but Clemson had a convincing 56-35 victory despite some defensive lapses. It isn’t really being talked about because most are assuming Clemson will beat Pitt and win another ACC title, but what would happen if the Tigers lose on Saturday night? Dabo Swinney’s squad is just worried about taking care of business and getting to 13-0, though.

 

3. Georgia (11-1) | Last week: 3

Everyone is talking as if Alabama winning the SEC title game over Georgia is a foregone conclusion, which is likely to motivate a Bulldogs team that is playing exceptionally well. Georgia obviously went toe-to-toe with the Crimson Tide in last year’s national championship, and they’re not going to be overwhelmed. Fellow sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm is arguably just as good as Tua Tagovailoa—if not better—and football fans (including NFL fans, when the two signal-callers could be top picks when they leave college) should be tuned in.

 

4. Ohio State (11-1) | Last week: 10 (+6)

After Ohio State’s blowout win over Michigan, the debate has seemingly turned to the Buckeyes versus the Sooners for a potential final fourth Playoff spot if Georgia loses to Alabama. However, there’s a legit argument for Ohio State immediately taking the No. 4 spot with a win-and-in scenario in the Big Ten Championship against Northwestern. Notre Dame is unbeaten, but the Buckeyes would have a conference title and a bigger statement win than the Fighting Irish did against the same Michigan team earlier this season. Ohio State would be favored over Notre Dame on a neutral field.

 

5. Notre Dame (12-0) | Last week: 4 (-1)

Notre Dame will argue they haven’t been beaten and took out the Wolverines in a tougher environment in The Big House than Ohio State winning at home. They did everything they have to do for serious College Football Playoff consideration, and now they just need to sit home and wait for this Sunday’s selection show. Most people are already putting them in the Playoff field, but it should not be a lock.

 

6. Oklahoma (11-1) | Last week: 6

Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma are going to feel they can put up points on any team in the nation, but the defense remains a concern. A shot at some redemption against a Texas team that handed them their only loss of the season is big, and a blowout win will give the Committee a lot to think about when determining the final top four.

 

7. UCF (11-0) | Last week: 7

McKenzie Milton’s serious knee injury is a real heartbreaker, and everyone should hope and pray that we see him back to his usual exceptional form in 2019. For this season, the Knights will look to continue extending their winning streak, but unlikely Playoff chances look basically impossible without their experienced quarterback leading the way.

 

8. Michigan (10-2) | Last week: 5 (-3)

This has been an excellent season for Michigan, but their loss to Ohio State is about as low as it’ll get in their epic rivalry. The Buckeyes had too much speed for the No. 1 defense and its normally-lockdown man coverage in one of the most shocking performances of the season. A New Year’s Six Bowl and a spectacular end to a double-digit win season is still a possibility, and it’s something Jim Harbaugh’s program needs to avoid a really bad taste in the offseason.

 

9. Florida (9-3) | Last week: NR

Florida ended their losing streak to Florida State and knocked their big in-state rival out of the bowl mix (for the first time in 36 years) in the process, so they had a great weekend. The Gators could be headed to a New Year’s Six Bowl, which would be an outstanding start to Dan Mullen’s first season as the program’s head coach.

 

10. LSU (9-3) | Last week: 9 (-1)

Saturday night/Sunday morning’s seven-overtime game was simply insane, and the loss in a historic game does not drop LSU out of the top ten. The Tigers might be on the outside looking in for a New Year’s Six, but they won’t be a fun opponent for whoever they face in a December or January bowl game.