College Football Rankings 1 To 130: Week 11 Top Teams Are Rising Up
College Football News 2021 college football rankings after Week 11 for all 130 teams with results and who’s up next week.
Last week was impossible because just about everyone but Georgia stunk. This week’s rankings are a whole lot easier because things are shaking out.
The top teams are rising up, and that includes Oklahoma State, Wake Forest, Michigan, Oregon, and Ole Miss all coming off of big moments. Throw in what Ohio State did to Purdue, and just about all of the top teams came up with something strong.
It’s all setting up for a final few weeks that are about to be phenomenal – other than the debate for who’s No. 1, of course.
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CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
CFN College Football Rankings: Week 11
130 FIU Golden Panthers (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 128
Week 11 Opponent: Middle Tennessee 50, FIU 10
Week 12 Opponent: North Texas
129 UMass Minutemen (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 129
Week 11 Opponent: Maine 35, UMass 10
Week 12 Opponent: at Army
128 UConn Huskies (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 130
Week 11 Opponent: Clemson 44, UConn 7
Week 12 Opponent: at UCF
127 Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 127
Week 11 Opponent: UTSA 27, Southern Miss 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Louisiana Tech
126 Akron Zips (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 126
Week 11 Opponent: Western Michigan 45, Akron 40
Week 12 Opponent: Kent State
125 New Mexico State Aggies (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 125
Week 11 Opponent: Alabama 59, New Mexico State 3
Week 12 Opponent: at Kentucky
124 New Mexico Lobos (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 122
Week 11 Opponent: Fresno State 34, New Mexico 7
Week 12 Opponent: at Boise State
123 ULM Warhawks (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 108
Week 11 Opponent: Arkansas State 27, ULM 24
Week 12 Opponent: at LSU
122 Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 124
Week 11 Opponent: Arkansas State 27, ULM 24
Week 12 Opponent: at Georgia State
121 South Alabama Jaguars (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 120
Week 11 Opponent: Appalachian State 41, South Alabama 7
Week 12 Opponent: at Tennessee
120 Tulane Green Wave (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 118
Week 11 Opponent: Tulsa 20, Tulane 13 OT
Week 12 Opponent: USF
119 Ohio Bobcats (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 121
Week 11 Opponent: Ohio 34, Eastern Michigan 26
Week 12 Opponent: Toledo (Nov. 16)
118 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 117
Week 11 Opponent: Middle Tennessee 50, FIU 10
Week 12 Opponent: Old Dominion
117 Rice Owls (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 116
Week 11 Opponent: WKU 42, Rice 21
Week 12 Opponent: at UTEP
116 Vanderbilt Commodores (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 112
Week 11 Opponent: Kentucky 34, Vanderbilt 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Ole Miss
115 Charlotte 49ers (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 109
Week 11 Opponent: Louisiana Tech 42, Charlotte 32
Week 12 Opponent: Marshall
114 Texas State Bobcats (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 111
Week 11 Opponent: Georgia Southern 38, Texas State 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Coastal Carolina
113 Temple Owls (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 110
Week 11 Opponent: Houston 37, Temple 8
Week 12 Opponent: at Tulsa
112 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 97
Week 11 Opponent: UNLV 27, Hawaii 13
Week 12 Opponent: Colorado State
111 Georgia Southern Eagles (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 123
Week 11 Opponent: Georgia Southern 38, Texas State 30
Week 12 Opponent: BYU
110 UNLV Rebels (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 119
Week 11 Opponent: UNLV 27, Hawaii 13
Week 12 Opponent: San Diego State
109 North Texas Mean Green (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 115
Week 11 Opponent: North Texas 20, UTEP 17
Week 12 Opponent: at FIU
108 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 114
Week 11 Opponent: Louisiana Tech 42, Charlotte 32
Week 12 Opponent: Southern Miss
107 Buffalo Bulls (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 107
Week 11 Opponent: Miami University 45, Buffalo 18
Week 12 Opponent: Northern Illinois (Nov. 17)
106 UTEP Miners (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 102
Week 11 Opponent: North Texas 20, UTEP 17
Week 12 Opponent: Rice
105 Troy Trojans (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 105
Week 11 Opponent: Louisiana 35, Troy 21
Week 12 Opponent: Appalachian State
104 Florida Atlantic Owls (5-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 101
Week 11 Opponent: Old Dominion 30, Florida Atlantic 16
Week 12 Opponent: at WKU
103 Bowling Green Falcons (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 103
Week 11 Opponent: Toledo 49, Bowling Green 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Miami University (Nov. 16)
102 Marshall Thundering Herd (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 99
Week 11 Opponent: UAB 21, Marshall 14
Week 12 Opponent: at Charlotte
101 Old Dominion Monarchs (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 104
Week 11 Opponent: Old Dominion 30, Florida Atlantic 16
Week 12 Opponent: at Middle Tennessee
CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
NEXT: CFN 2021 College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 100
CFN College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 100
100 Liberty Flames (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 98
Week 11 Opponent: OPEN DATE
Week 12 Opponent: Louisville
99 Colorado State Rams (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 95
Week 11 Opponent: Air Force 35, Colorado State 21
Week 12 Opponent: at Hawaii
98 Wyoming Cowboys (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 94
Week 11 Opponent: Boise State 23, Wyoming 13
Week 12 Opponent: at Utah State
97 UAB Blazers (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 100
Week 11 Opponent: UAB 21, Marshall 14
Week 12 Opponent: at UTSA
96 San Jose State Spartans (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 92
Week 11 Opponent: Utah State 48, San Jose State 17
Week 12 Opponent: OPEN DATE
95 Western Michigan Broncos (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 93
Week 11 Opponent: Western Michigan 45, Akron 40
Week 12 Opponent: at Eastern Michigan (Nov. 16)
94 USF Bulls (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 91
Week 11 Opponent: Cincinnati 45, USF 28
Week 12 Opponent: at Tulane
93 Toledo Rockets (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 90
Week 11 Opponent: Toledo 49, Bowling Green 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Ohio (Nov. 16)
92 Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 77
Week 11 Opponent: Ohio 34, Eastern Michigan 26
Week 12 Opponent: Western Michigan (Nov. 16)
91 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 89
Week 11 Opponent: Tulsa 20, Tulane 13 OT
Week 12 Opponent: Temple
90 Arizona Wildcats (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 87
Week 11 Opponent: Utah 38, Arizona 29
Week 12 Opponent: at Washington State
89 Memphis Tigers (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 85
Week 11 Opponent: East Carolina 30, Memphis 29 OT
Week 12 Opponent: at Houston (Nov. 19)
88 Navy Midshipmen (2-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 88
Week 11 Opponent: OPEN DATE
Week 12 Opponent: East Carolina
87 Kent State Golden Flashes (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 74
Week 11 Opponent: Central Michigan 54, Kent State 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Akron
86 Duke Blue Devils (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 106
Week 11 Opponent: Virginia Tech 48, Duke 17
Week 12 Opponent: Louisville e (Nov. 18)
85 Ball State Cardinals (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 84
Week 11 Opponent: Northern Illinois 30, Ball State 29
Week 12 Opponent: Central Michigan (Nov. 17)
84 Indiana Hoosiers (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 75
Week 11 Opponent: Rutgers 38, Indiana 3
Week 12 Opponent: Minnesota
83 Central Michigan Chippewas (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 83
Week 11 Opponent: Central Michigan 54, Kent State 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Ball State (Nov. 17)
82 Kansas Jayhawks (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 113
Week 11 Opponent: Kansas 57, Texas 56 OT
Week 12 Opponent: at TCU
81 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 80
Week 11 Opponent: Boston College 41, Georgia Tech 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Notre Dame
80 Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 79
Week 11 Opponent: Virginia Tech 48, Duke 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Miami
79 Miami University RedHawks (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 81
Week 11 Opponent: Miami University 45, Buffalo 18
Week 12 Opponent: Bowling Green (Nov. 16)
78 Northwestern Wildcats (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 78
Week 11 Opponent: Wisconsin 35, Northwestern 7
Week 12 Opponent: Purdue
77 Northern Illinois Huskies (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 82
Week 11 Opponent: Northern Illinois 30, Ball State 29
Week 12 Opponent: at Buffalo (Nov. 17)
76 UCF Knights (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 73
Week 11 Opponent: SMU 55, UCF 28
Week 12 Opponent: UConn
CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
NEXT: CFN 2021 College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 75
CFN College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 75
100 Liberty Flames (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 98
Week 11 Opponent: OPEN DATE
Week 12 Opponent: Louisville
99 Colorado State Rams (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 95
Week 11 Opponent: Air Force 35, Colorado State 21
Week 12 Opponent: at Hawaii
98 Wyoming Cowboys (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 94
Week 11 Opponent: Boise State 23, Wyoming 13
Week 12 Opponent: at Utah State
97 UAB Blazers (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 100
Week 11 Opponent: UAB 21, Marshall 14
Week 12 Opponent: at UTSA
96 San Jose State Spartans (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 92
Week 11 Opponent: Utah State 48, San Jose State 17
Week 12 Opponent: OPEN DATE
95 Western Michigan Broncos (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 93
Week 11 Opponent: Western Michigan 45, Akron 40
Week 12 Opponent: at Eastern Michigan (Nov. 16)
94 USF Bulls (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 91
Week 11 Opponent: Cincinnati 45, USF 28
Week 12 Opponent: at Tulane
93 Toledo Rockets (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 90
Week 11 Opponent: Toledo 49, Bowling Green 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Ohio (Nov. 16)
92 Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 77
Week 11 Opponent: Ohio 34, Eastern Michigan 26
Week 12 Opponent: Western Michigan (Nov. 16)
91 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 89
Week 11 Opponent: Tulsa 20, Tulane 13 OT
Week 12 Opponent: Temple
90 Arizona Wildcats (1-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 87
Week 11 Opponent: Utah 38, Arizona 29
Week 12 Opponent: at Washington State
89 Memphis Tigers (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 85
Week 11 Opponent: East Carolina 30, Memphis 29 OT
Week 12 Opponent: at Houston (Nov. 19)
88 Navy Midshipmen (2-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 88
Week 11 Opponent: OPEN DATE
Week 12 Opponent: East Carolina
87 Kent State Golden Flashes (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 74
Week 11 Opponent: Central Michigan 54, Kent State 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Akron
86 Duke Blue Devils (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 106
Week 11 Opponent: Virginia Tech 48, Duke 17
Week 12 Opponent: Louisville e (Nov. 18)
85 Ball State Cardinals (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 84
Week 11 Opponent: Northern Illinois 30, Ball State 29
Week 12 Opponent: Central Michigan (Nov. 17)
84 Indiana Hoosiers (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 75
Week 11 Opponent: Rutgers 38, Indiana 3
Week 12 Opponent: Minnesota
83 Central Michigan Chippewas (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 83
Week 11 Opponent: Central Michigan 54, Kent State 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Ball State (Nov. 17)
82 Kansas Jayhawks (2-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 113
Week 11 Opponent: Kansas 57, Texas 56 OT
Week 12 Opponent: at TCU
81 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 80
Week 11 Opponent: Boston College 41, Georgia Tech 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Notre Dame
80 Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 79
Week 11 Opponent: Virginia Tech 48, Duke 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Miami
79 Miami University RedHawks (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 81
Week 11 Opponent: Miami University 45, Buffalo 18
Week 12 Opponent: Bowling Green (Nov. 16)
78 Northwestern Wildcats (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 78
Week 11 Opponent: Wisconsin 35, Northwestern 7
Week 12 Opponent: Purdue
77 Northern Illinois Huskies (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 82
Week 11 Opponent: Northern Illinois 30, Ball State 29
Week 12 Opponent: at Buffalo (Nov. 17)
76 UCF Knights (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 73
Week 11 Opponent: SMU 55, UCF 28
Week 12 Opponent: UConn
CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
NEXT: CFN 2021 College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 50
CFN College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 50
50 Air Force Falcons (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 49
Week 11 Opponent: Air Force 35, Colorado State 21
Week 12 Opponent: at Nevada
49 West Virginia Mountaineers (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 47
Week 11 Opponent: Kansas State 34, West Virginia 17
Week 12 Opponent: Texas
48 Louisville Cardinals (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 58
Week 11 Opponent: Louisville 41, Syracuse 3
Week 12 Opponent: at Duke (Nov. 18)
47 Virginia Cavaliers (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 48
Week 11 Opponent: Notre Dame 28, Virginia 3
Week 12 Opponent: at Pitt
46 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 34
Week 11 Opponent: Missouri 31, South Carolina 28
Week 12 Opponent: Auburn
45 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 45
Week 11 Opponent: Louisiana 35, Troy 21
Week 12 Opponent: at Liberty
44 Army Black Knights (6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 44
Week 11 Opponent: Army 63, Bucknell 10
Week 12 Opponent: at Liberty
43 Miami Hurricanes (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 41
Week 11 Opponent: Florida State 31, Miami 28
Week 12 Opponent: Virginia Tech
42 Utah State Aggies (8-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 55
Week 11 Opponent: Utah State 48, San Jose State 17
Week 12 Opponent: Wyoming
41 UTSA Roadrunners (10-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 32
Week 11 Opponent: UTSA 27, Southern Miss 17
Week 12 Opponent: UAB
40 Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 54
Week 11 Opponent: Texas Tech 41, Iowa State 38
Week 12 Opponent: Oklahoma State
39 North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 37
Week 11 Opponent: Pitt 30, North Carolina 23 OT
Week 12 Opponent: Wofford
38 Missouri Tigers (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 72
Week 11 Opponent: Missouri 31, South Carolina 28
Week 12 Opponent: Florida
37 Pitt Panthers (8-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 42
Week 11 Opponent: Pitt 30, North Carolina 23 OT
Week 12 Opponent: Virginia
36 San Diego State Aztecs (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 39
Week 11 Opponent: San Diego State 23, Nevada 21
Week 12 Opponent: at UNLV
35 UCLA Bruins (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 40
Week 11 Opponent: UCLA 44, Colorado 20
Week 12 Opponent: at USC
34 Fresno State Bulldogs (8-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 35
Week 11 Opponent: Fresno State 34, New Mexico 7
Week 12 Opponent: OPEN DATE
33 Boise State Broncos (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 33
Week 11 Opponent: Boise State 23, Wyoming 13
Week 12 Opponent: New Mexico
32 Kansas State Wildcats (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Week 11 Opponent: Kansas State 34, West Virginia 17
Week 12 Opponent: Baylor
31 Clemson Tigers (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 31
Week 11 Opponent: Clemson 44, UConn 7
Week 12 Opponent: Wake Forest
30 Iowa State Cyclones (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Week 11 Opponent: Texas Tech 41, Iowa State 38
Week 12 Opponent: at Oklahoma
29 Arizona State Sun Devils (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 36
Week 11 Opponent: Arizona State 35, Washington 30
Week 12 Opponent: at Oregon State
28 Kentucky Wildcats (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Week 11 Opponent: Kentucky 34, Vanderbilt 17
Week 12 Opponent: New Mexico State
27 LSU Tigers (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Week 11 Opponent: Arkansas 16, LSU 13 OT
Week 12 Opponent: ULM
26 Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Week 11 Opponent: Iowa 27, Minnesota 22
Week 12 Opponent: at Indiana
CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
NEXT: CFN 2021 College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 25
CFN College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 25
25 Tennessee Volunteers (5-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Week 11 Opponent: Georgia 41, Tennessee 17
Week 12 Opponent: South Alabama
24 Penn State Nittany Lions (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Week 11 Opponent: Michigan 21, Penn State 17
Week 12 Opponent: Rutgers
23 Iowa Hawkeyes (8-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Week 11 Opponent: Iowa 27, Minnesota 22
Week 12 Opponent: Illinois
22 Purdue Boilermakers (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
Week 11 Opponent: Ohio State 59, Purdue 31
Week 12 Opponent: at Northwestern
21 Utah Utes (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Week 11 Opponent: Utah 38, Arizona 29
Week 12 Opponent: Oregon
20 BYU Cougars (8-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Week 11 Opponent: OPEN DATE
Week 12 Opponent: at Georgia Southern
19 NC State Wolfpack (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Week 11 Opponent: Wake Forest 45, NC State 42
Week 12 Opponent: Syracuse
18 Auburn Tigers (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Week 11 Opponent: Mississippi State 43, Auburn 34
Week 12 Opponent: at South Carolina
17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Week 11 Opponent: Wake Forest 45, NC State 42
Week 12 Opponent: at Clemson
16 Texas A&M Aggies (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Week 11 Opponent: Ole Miss 29, Texas A&M 19
Week 12 Opponent: Prairie View A&M
15 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Week 11 Opponent: Arkansas 16, LSU 13 OT
Week 12 Opponent: at Alabama
14 Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Week 11 Opponent: Mississippi State 43, Auburn 34
Week 12 Opponent: Tennessee State
13 Wisconsin Badgers (7-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Week 11 Opponent: Wisconsin 35, Northwestern 7
Week 12 Opponent: Nebraska
12 Oklahoma Sooners (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Week 11 Opponent: Baylor 27, Oklahoma 14
Week 12 Opponent: Iowa State
11 Baylor Bears (8-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
Week 11 Opponent: Baylor 27, Oklahoma 14
Week 12 Opponent: at Kansas State
CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
NEXT: CFN 2021 College Football Rankings: Week 10 Top 10
CFN College Football Rankings: Week 11 Top 10
10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Week 11 Opponent: Notre Dame 28, Virginia 3
Week 12 Opponent: Georgia Tech
In a year when supposedly good teams keep on underwhelming – Texas, LSU, USC, Florida – Notre Dame keeps right on rolling along.
Yeah, it caught a massive break when QB Brennan Armstrong wasn’t able to go for Virginia, and Virginia Tech, USC, and Navy are mere shadows of their normal selves, but 9-1 is 9-1.
The wins over Purdue, Wisconsin, and seven Power Five teams in all should put the Irish somewhere around the top five, but that can’t happen right now because of …
9 Cincinnati Bearcats (10-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Week 11 Opponent: Cincinnati 45, USF 28
Week 12 Opponent: SMU
The only reason Cincinnati is remotely close to being in the top ten – much less in it – is because Notre Dame keeps on winning.
Yes, Cincinnati deserves all due credit for being the only team to beat the Irish, but that’s just one win. Other top teams are banging their heads against Power Five schedules, all while the Bearcats can play like hot meh and still get through unscathed.
It’s now been a month of mediocrity, but SMU and at East Carolina – and possibly Houston in a championship game – will be upgraded tests.
8 Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Week 11 Opponent: Ole Miss 29, Texas A&M 19
Week 12 Opponent: Vanderbilt
Yes, Ole Miss lost at Auburn a few weeks ago, the the loss at Alabama was a three touchdown blowout, but beating Arkansas, at Tennessee, LSU – to a certain extent – and now getting by Texas A&M made for a far, far, far better resumé than what Cincinnati has done. That also includes a 61-21 win over a Tulane that pushed the Bearcats for over a half.
7 Michigan Wolverines (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Week 11 Opponent: Michigan 21, Penn State 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Maryland
It’s not pretty with this group. It’s more of a rolling grind of a team that’s been able to make big things happen in key moments, but it still shouldn’t have taken a season-defining play to get by Penn State. The problems in the loss to Michigan State still sting, but beat Maryland, and everything is on the table as long as Ohio State first beats …
6 Michigan State Spartans (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Week 11 Opponent: Michigan State 40, Maryland 21
Week 12 Opponent: at Ohio State
The College Football Playoff types weren’t totally wrong when they put Michigan higher than Michigan State, but we can’t do that … yet. Beat Ohio State, and the Spartans are back up in the top three somewhere. Lose tastefully on the road, and there’s no punishment other than maybe falling behind the Wolverines.
5 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Week 11 Opponent: Oklahoma State 63, TCU 17
Week 12 Opponent: at Texas Tech
You’re not crazy to think that this might be too low. The 24-21 road loss at Iowa State is the only blip, and even that’s not all that bad. The defense is playing better than any outside of what’s happening in Madison and Athens, and now the offense is starting to crank things up a notch.
4 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Week 11 Opponent: Ohio State 59, Purdue 31
Week 12 Opponent: Michigan State
The offense has cranked things up to a whole other level now, but it needs a big-time win. Getting by Penn State and Purdue was nice, and starting out against Minnesota with a road win was solid, but now it’s time to go to work with Michigan State and Michigan up next. The defense has to be a whole lot better in a big hurry – or maybe not if CJ Stroud and the offense continue to be so amazing.
3 Oregon Ducks (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Week 11 Opponent: Oregon 38, Washington State 24
Week 12 Opponent: at Utah
There were a whole lot of people out there who thought Washington State was going to do to Oregon what Purdue did to Michigan State and Baylor did to Oklahoma. The 38-24 win was even more impressive than the final score, but … the 31-24 loss to Stanford looks miserable now. Even so, the 35-28 win over Ohio State appears more and more every week like the best win by anyone so far this season.
2 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Week 11 Opponent: Alabama 59, New Mexico State 3
Week 12 Opponent: Arkansas
Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Mississippi State. Those are the three dominant wins that get Alabama here, because the LSU close call certainly doesn’t look good, the 31-29 win over Florida looks awful, and the team needs to show some more consistency. Everyone knows this is one of the most talented teams – duh – but there can’t be a slip against Arkansas or at Auburn.
1 Georgia Bulldogs (10-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Week 11 Opponent: Georgia 41, Tennessee 17
Week 12 Opponent: Charleston Southern
At this point all the world wants is an interesting game.
Assuming the Bulldogs knock out Alabama in the SEC Championship, find any three teams that might make a College Football Playoff anything but the Georgia Invitational.
Going to Tennessee was supposed to be the most dangerous test for this D, and … nope. With Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech up next, the goal is to just keep everyone healthy.
CFN 2021 Rankings: Week 11
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
– Week 11 Scoreboard, Predictions For Every Game
– Big Game Reactions: Baylor, Michigan, Ole Miss & more
– College Football Playoff prediction: Week 11
