Top 4 remain unbeaten, Oregon stumbles: College Football Power Rankings after Week 11
Entering the home stretch of the college football season, there’s little margin for error for the nation’s top teams.
The Oregon Ducks saw their playoff hopes dashed at the hands of border rival Washington in a 37-34 loss that was arguably the best game of the weekend. Bo Nix and Michael Penix went blow for blow, but an untimely illegal touching penalty killed Oregon’s attempt to get into field goal range and send it to overtime.
Georgia, Ohio State and Michigan won in blowout fashion; their average margin of victory was 33 points. TCU played a close defensive battle on the road with the Texas Longhorns and looked on their way to a 14-point win before Texas picked up a botched mesh-point handoff between Max Duggan and Kendre Miller. The Longhorns returned it for a touchdown. Still, the Horned Frogs showed a defensive element that they hadn’t leading into their matchup with Texas.
Tennessee continues to make a strong case for inclusion in the College Football playoff with its 66-24 win over Missouri. However, with four undefeated teams in front of them, they’re going to need some help. That could come when the Buckeyes and Wolverines go to battle in two weeks, but a close game between the Big Ten rivals could spell doom for the Volunteers.
LSU clinched a berth in the SEC title game and looks headed for a showdown with top-ranked Georgia. Could the Tigers throw everything into disarray and make a case for playoff inclusion even with two losses?
USC had an impressive win over Colorado, but its strength of schedule took a hit with UCLA’s loss to Arizona.
We’re in for another fantastic finish to the season. Let’s take a look at this week’s power rankings.
Georgia Bulldogs (10-0)
Nov. 12, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) runs the ball againstMississippi State Bulldogs safety Collin Duncan (19) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 1
This Week: Beat Mississippi State, 45-13
For more on the Georgia Bulldogs, check out UGA Wire.
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Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0)
Nov. 12, 2022; Columbus; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) outruns the Indiana defense during their NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Brooke LaValley-The Columbus Dispatch
Last Week: 2
This Week: Beat Indiana, 56-14
For more on Ohio State, check out Buckeyes Wire.
Michigan Wolverines (10-0)
Nov. 12, 2022; Ann Arbor; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) stiff arms Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog (13) in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 3
This Week: Beat Nebraska, 34-3
For more Michigan coverage, check out Wolverines Wire.
TCU Horned Frogs (10-0)
Nov. 12, 2022; Austin; Texas Christian Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) attempts to avoid a sack during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 4
This Week: Beat Texas, 17-10
Tennessee Volunteers (9-1)
Nov. 12, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 5
This Week: Beat Missouri, 66-24
For more on Tennessee, check out Vols Wire.
LSU Tigers (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas; LSU Tigers safety Jay Ward and defensive end Lane Blue (42) carry The Boot trophy after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won, 13-10. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 7
This Week: Beat Arkansas, 13-10
Check out LSU Wire for more coverage of the Tigers.
Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Byron Young (47) celebrates with teammates after sacking Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (not pictured) for a loss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 30-24. Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 8
This Week: Beat Ole Miss, 30-24
For more coverage on Alabama, check out Roll Tide Wire.
Clemson Tigers (9-1)
Nov. 12, 2022; Clemson, South Carolina; Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) sacks Louisville quarterback Brock Dormann (19) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 9
This Week: Beat Louisville, 31-16
For more Clemson coverage, check out Clemson Wire.
USC Trojans (9-1)
Nov. 11, 2022; Los Angeles, California; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 10
This Week: Beat Cal, 41-35
For more on USC, check out Trojans Wire.
Oregon Ducks (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Eugene; Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving (0) breaks away from Washington Huskies cornerback Mishael Powell (23) during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 6
This Week: Lost to Washington, 37-34
For more on Oregon, check out Ducks Wire.
Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Maryland, 30-0. Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 12
This Week: Beat Maryland, 30-0
For more Penn State coverage, check out Nittany Lions Wire.
Utah Utes (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs the ball against Stanford Cardinal safety Scotty Edwards (37) in the fourth quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 13
This Week: Beat Stanford, 42-7
North Carolina Tar Heels (9-1)
Nov. 12, 2022; Winston-Salem; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws the ball out of bounds pressured by Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr. (5) during the second half at Truist Field. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 15
This Week: Beat Wake Forest, 36-34
For more coverage of North Carolina, check out Tar Heels Wire.
Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Oxford; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin during a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 14
This Week: Lost to Alabama, 30-24
Kansas State Wildcats (7-3)
Nov. 12, 2022; Waco, Texas; Kansas State Wildcats tight end Ben Sinnott (34) makes a touchdown catch against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 19
This Week: Beat Baylor, 31-3
UCLA Bruins (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Pasadena, California; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio (72) looks on from the field after a 31-28 loss to the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 11
This Week: Lost to Arizona, 34-28
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) catches a p[ass in front of Navy Midshipmen cornerback Mbiti Williams Jr. (7) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 20
This Week: Beat Navy, 35-32
For more coverage of Notre Dame, visit Fighting Irish Wire.
Washington Huskies (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; Eugene, Oregon; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 25
This Week: Beat Oregon, 37-34
Florida State Seminoles (7-3)
Nov. 12, 2022; Syracuse, New York; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tate Rodemaker (18) moves in the pocket to avoid Syracuse Orange linebacker Mikel Jones (3) in the third quarter at JMA Wireless Dome. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: NR
This Week: Beat Syracuse, 38-3
UCF Knights
Nov. 12, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana; UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) passes the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the fourth quarter at Yulman Stadium. Rebecca Warren-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: NR
This Week: Beat Tulane, 38-31
Texas Longhorns (6-4)
Nov. 12, 2022; Austin, Texas; Texas Christian Horned Frogs defensive lineman Dylan Horton (98) sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 16
This Week: Lost to TCU, 17-10
Check out Longhorns Wire for more coverage of the Texas Longhorns
NC State Wolfpack (7-3)
Nov. 12, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina; Boston College Eagles receiver Joseph Griffin Jr. (2) catches the game-winning touchdown in front of North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Derek Pitts Jr. (24) during the second half at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Eagles won 21-20. Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 17
This Week: Lost to Boston College, 21-20
Tulane Green Wave (8-2)
Nov. 12, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana; UCF Knights cornerback Davonte Brown (7) tackles Tulane Green Wave wide receiver Duece Watts (2) during the fourth quarter at Yulman Stadium. Rebecca Warren-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 18
This Week: Lost to UCF, 38-31
Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-3)
Nov. 12, 2022; Minneapolis; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Zach Evans (26) celebrates a touchdown run against the Northwestern Wildcats during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: NR
This Week: Beat Northwestern, 31-3
Cincinnati Bearcats (8-2)
Nov. 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman James Tunstall (72) celebrates after their victory over the East Carolina Pirates at Nippert Stadium. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
