The top seven of the power rankings is unchanged, but two teams fall out as two new schools rise.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0) | Last week: 1
The Buckeyes had some trouble with Penn State in the first half on Saturday, but the offensive firepower eventually proved too much with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (6/123/2) and Carnell Tate (5/124/1) going off. The battle versus Michigan at the end of the month remains the game everyone is looking forward to.
2. Texas A&M Aggies (8-0) | Last week: 2
Texas A&M had off last week, and they’ll return with a road challenge versus No. 19 Missouri. After that, the Aggies get a tricky matchup versus South Carolina and will eventually face No. 13 Texas on Black Friday.
3. Indiana Hoosiers (9-0) | Last week: 3
Indiana blew out Maryland last week, 55-10, and now they will face a down-on-their-luck Penn State team in one of their final three remaining games as they look to go undefeated in the regular season.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1) | Last week: 4
Alabama will also face a team that hasn’t lived up to expectations when LSU comes to town on Saturday night, but the Tigers have plenty of talent to make it a game. Last year, though, the Tide ran through LSU as Jalen Milroe had 185 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
5. Georgia Bulldogs (7-1) | Last week: 5
The close games for Georgia continued last weekend, and it took a 36-yard touchdown run by Chuancey Bowens with under five minutes remaining to escape with a 24-20 win over Florida. Playoff contenders in No. 13 Texas and No. 16 Georgia Tech still await on the schedule.
6. Ole Miss (8-1) | Last week: 6
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss didn’t have his best game last week, but the Ole Miss defense had another strong performance by intercepting South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers a couple of times. The path to a College Football Playoff berth is straightforward with Florida and Mississippi State coming after a classic tune-up game versus Citadel.
7. Oregon Ducks (7-1) | Last week: 7
Oregon wasn’t sharp offensively prior to last week’s bye, and this week won’t be easy versus an Iowa team that is also coming off a bye and dominated Minnesota, 41-3 to end October.
8. BYU Cougars (8-0) | Last week: NR
Undefeated BYU will get a huge test versus Texas Tech this weekend, but they’ve been battle tested with a couple of close wins over the past month—and is fresh off a bye to prepare.
9. Louisville Cardinals (7-1) | Last week: 9
Louisville trailed Virginia Tech at halftime last week, 16-7, but they dominated in the second half to win, 28-16. However, they stay at No. 9 with the win over Miami not looking as impressive after the Canes just dropped another game in the crowded ACC.
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-1) | Last week: NR
The Red Raiders will play host to BYU for a noon kickoff this week, and they have been tremendous at home with 42+ points in every game and a 5-0 record. The only loss this year for Texas Tech came versus a talented Arizona State team that had quarterback Sam Leavitt healthy at the time.