2:44 PM
There is some movement in the rankings after a wild weekend of college football. Here's what's next for each team.
1. Georgia is 11-0.
The previous ranking was 1
The week 12 result was a 56-7 win over Charleston Southern.
What's next at Georgia Tech?
Brock Bowers is an X factor. I believe that the kind of player that will be good for at least one clutch touchdown grab in the red zone when Georgia starts playing meaningful games again is the kind of player that was watching Bowers catch two short touchdown passes Saturday. His name is perfect for a tight end.
Georgia will have to get through a small speedbump against Georgia Tech in order to make it to the SEC title game, but it will be nothing like facing Charleston Southern.
2. The Ohio State Buckeyes are 10-1.
The previous ranking was 5.
The week 12 result was a 56-7 win for Michigan State.
What's next at Michigan?
Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 432 yards and six touchdown against Michigan State, becoming the first quarterback to throw five touchdown against the Spartans in a first half since Drew Brees did it in 1999. He became the first quarterback to throw six touchdown passes against the Spartans.
In the first half, Kenneth Walker III had just 24 rushing yards and 25 total yards, but the Ohio State defense held him in check. Michigan has a group of running backs that have had a lot of success this season. If the Ohio State defense can have the same success against Michigan as it did against Michigan State, the game will be long.
3. The Alabama Crimson Tide is 10-1
The previous ranking was 2.
The week 12 result was a 42-35 win for Arkansas.
What's next is at auburn on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The time is later.
The X factor is the quarterback. Young is the ultimate X factor, but he is also playing his way toward being Alabama's second straight Heisman trophy winner. He had . Young has thrown 38 touchdown passes this season and has just three turnovers.
Alabama will play in the SEC championship game for the fourth year in a row, but will have to wait until the Iron Bowl to start thinking about its game with Georgia. If the Tide are going to make it back to the College Football Playoff, they will need to win the next two games.
4. The Cincinnati Bearcats are 11-0.
The previous ranking was 3.
The week 12 result was a 48-14 win for SMU.
What's next is at East Carolina on Friday. The time is later.
The X factor is the quarterback. Ridder scored five total touchdown in the win over SMU, three passing, one rushing and one receiving. He is believed to be the first player in school history to score all three ways. The program needs him to keep delivering, especially now that they are close to a conference title.
Cincinnati has secured a spot in the championship game. The Bearcats need to win at East Carolina on Friday to host it. The last time they played at East Carolina, Cincinnati needed to come back from a 12-point deficit and win on a field goal as time expired.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 10-1
The previous ranking was 6.
The week 12 result was a 55-0 win for Georgia Tech.
What's next is at Stanford on Saturday. The time is later.
Jack Coan has been a different player since the passing game became more frenetic after the open week. In a 55-0 win against Georgia Tech, Coan passed for 285 yards and two scores on 75% completion.
You need to know that Notre Dame is still alive on the fringes of the playoff conversation. The Irish will finish 11-1 with wins against Wisconsin, Virginia and Purdue. The profile is not strong enough, but Notre Dame has been dominant since its escape against Virginia Tech. The Irish have beaten their opponents in the past.
6. The Michigan Wolverines are 10-1.
The previous ranking was 8.
The week 12 result was a 59-18 win over Maryland.
What's next is against Ohio State.
The latest young player to give Michigan's offense a boost is freshman running back Donovan Edwards. Edwards, who had just two catches for 14 yards all season, torched Maryland for 170 yards on 10 catches, including a 77-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. He had six more catches than any other player.
You need to know that Michigan has responded well to the loss at Michigan State and put itself in a good position to make a statement. The Big Ten East Division title is on the line when the 10-1 Michigan gets Ohio State in the Big House. They haven't beaten Ohio State since 2011 and will need their most complete performance, especially on defense, to beat the Buckeyes.
7. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are 10-1.
The previous week was 9.
The week 12 result was a 23-0 win over Texas Tech.
The next game is against Oklahoma on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The time is later.
The entire secondary is considered an X factor. The Cowboy front seven has been so good that it has almost distracted us from the work of a physical and dynamic secondary. Texas Tech was limited to 10 completions for 83 yards on Saturday. They've been excellent all year.
If the Pokes get some breaks over the next two weeks, they're still alive in the CFP race. After years of playing some of the most exciting offenses in the country, OSU is now defined by an equally exciting defense.
8. The Ole Miss Rebels are 9-2
The previous ranking was 10.
The week 12 result was a win.
What's next is at Mississippi State. The time is later.
Matt Corral is an X factor. The Rebels are with Corral. The game was never in question despite a poor defensive showing against one of the more lackluster teams. He completed 27 of his 36 passes.
The Egg Bowls in Starkville are set up for one of the most anticipated in recent memory. The Rebels will have to do a better job on third downs if they want to win against Mississippi State.
9. The Bears are 9-2
The previous week was 11.
The week 12 result was a 20-10 win over Kansas State.
What's next is against Texas Tech.
The X factor is the quarterback. Shapen was tasked with holding the lead that Bohanon built, and he did that. Shapen had 137 yards passing.
Keep an eye on Bohanon's injury. One of the bigger tests of the year for the Bears will be against Texas Tech next week. In the air and on the ground, Bohanon has been solid for the Bears. Shapen showed in his sample that he is not going to sink the ship.
10. The Oklahoma Sooners are 10-1.
The previous ranking was 12.
The week 12 result was a win against Iowa State.
What's next is at Oklahoma State. The time is later.
The X factor is the quarterback. In his first three starts, the freshman completed more than 75% of his passes and threw for 12 touchdown and one interception. He's completed 17 of 36 passes for one touchdown and two errors in the last two weeks. The Sooners will need him to get back to his early season form against Oklahoma State.
Since Lincoln Riley took over as head coach, Oklahoma is 6-0 and has averaged 46.8 points per game against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State was third in defensive efficiency this season, behind Georgia and Wisconsin.
11. The Oregon Ducks are 9-2
The previous ranking was 4.
The week 12 result was a 38-7 loss to Utah.
The next game is against Oregon State on Saturday. The time is later.
The X factor is the receiver, Devon Williams. Injuries to Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd and the departure of Mycah Pittman have left the Ducks' top four receivers without a single one of them.
The Ducks need to win against Oregon State in order to get into the conference title game. It would be quite the fall to go from the CFP to the Alamo Bowl in a matter of weeks.
12. The Michigan State Spartans are 9-2
The previous ranking was 7.
The week 12 result was a loss to Ohio State.
The next game is against Penn State. The time is later.
The offense goes for the Spartans because of Walker. The Spartans had to pass their way out of it because Ohio State bottled him up and they trailed by so many points.
Losing to Ohio State takes away the chance for the Spartans to win the Big Ten title, as they have two conference losses left. This season was a positive one for the future of the program. After only winning two games in 2020, Michigan State turned itself into a contender with a ton of momentum to build on.
13. The Cougars are 9-2
The previous ranking was 14.
The week 12 result was a 34-17 win over Georgia Southern.
At USC on Saturday, 10:30 p.m. The time is later.
The offense has been successful because of how good Tyler Allgeier has been all season, but QB Jaren Hall's ability to limit turnovers and keep defenses honest has played a major role.
It's highly unlikely that BYU will end up in a New Year's Six bowl. A road trip to USC this week will finish the regular season before the Independence Bowl.
14. Texas A&M is 8-3.
The previous week was 16.
Week 12 result: 52-3 win.
What's next is at LSU on Saturday. The time is later.
The X factor is the quarterback. The LSU defense has made adjustments since its bye week, holding Alabama to 20 points and Arkansas to 13 in regulation, and Calzada will have to be decisive against them.
You need to know that LSU won seven in a row against the Aggies. In the last two years, Fisher has won in seven overtimes and 20-7 LSU's national title team defeated the Aggies 50-7 in 2019. The tigers need a win over the Aggies to become bowl eligible.
15. The UTSA Roadrunners are 11-0.
This week: 15
The week 12 result was a 34-31 win.
What's next is at North Texas on Saturday. The time is later.
Is it the X factor? It feels like it. The Roadrunners faced a fourth-and-1 on their own 42 with less than two minutes left in the game. Instead of going for it, the Blazers took a delay of game and punted the ball away. The Roadrunners went on a seven-play drive that ended with a tipped pass and a touchdown to keep their perfect season alive.
The Roadrunners are one game away from a perfect regular season. They will be looking for their 12th win at North Texas. The Conference USA's West Division title was secured with their win over UAB.
16. The Utah Utes are 8-3.
The previous week was 24.
The week 12 result was a 38-7 win over Oregon.
The next game is against Colorado on Friday at 4 p.m. The time is later.
Britain Covey is an X factor. Covey's first punt return for a touchdown was in 2015. He's still eligible to return in 2022.
Kyle Whittingham became the school's all-time win leader with the win, as the Utes secured the Pac-12 South. The Rose Bowl berth will be on the line when they play Colorado this week.
17. The Iowa Hawkeyes are 9-2
The previous ranking was 18.
The week 12 result was a 33-23 win for Illinois.
What's next is at Nebraska on Friday. The time is later.
Charlie Jones gave Iowa a huge spark with a 100 yard kick return touchdown after Illinois had taken a 10 point lead. Jones added a 13-yard punt return to help improve Iowa's field position. Jones provided some help to Iowa's sputtering offense.
Wisconsin's win means Iowa must beat Nebraska on Friday and hope the Badgers don't beat Minnesota the following day to win the Big Ten West Division. The Hawkeyes can get their first 10-win regular season since 2015 by beating the Huskers. The struggles on offense and at quarterback are worth watching against a Nebraska team that can pile up points but also is prone to turnovers, Iowa's speciality on defense.
18. The Wisconsin Badgers are 8-3.
The previous week was 19
The week 12 result was a 35-28 win for Nebraska.
What's next is at Minnesota on Saturday. The time is later.
The X factor is the running back Braelon Allen. The freshman ran for 173 yards and three scores against Northwestern, but went for 228 and three more scores against Nebraska, and the Badgers needed it. Nebraska put up 454 yards and 28 points on the stout Wisconsin defense, but Allen's heroics helped in a 35-28 win.
The Badgers have won seven games in a row after starting the season with a 1-3 record. If they win at Minnesota next, they will be in the Big Ten championship. What a change.
19. Houston is 10-1
The previous week was 17
The week 12 result was a 31-13 win over Memphis.
What's next at the University of Connecticut?
Nathaniel Dell is an X factor. After graduating from high school, Dell went to Alabama A&M and then to Independence Community College. He had his fourth 100 yard game of the season on Saturday, second-most in the American Athletic Conference, despite being mostly overlooked.
With just 1-9 UConn remaining, the Cougars have already achieved their first 10-win season since 2015 and have secured a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game. Dana Holgorsen's passing game gets a lot of attention, but this team is tough. Its 22 rushing touchdown between the tackles is tied for tops in the country, and the defense has recorded 20 turnovers, second in the conference.
20. The Pittsburgh Panthers are 9-2
The previous week was 20.
The week 12 result was a 48-28 win for Virginia.
At Syracuse on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. The time is later.
The X factor is the receiver Jordan Addison. Kenny Pickett's star turn couldn't have happened without his leading receiver, who had 19 targets, 14 catches, 202 yards, four touchdown and a 39-yard punt return in Saturday's win over Virginia.
You need to know that the Pitt secured a spot in the conference championship with their 48-38 victory over the Virginia. They are 9-2 and only losses by a combined seven points -- 44-41 to Western Michigan, 38-34 to Miami -- have ruined a potential CFP bid.
21. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are 9-2
This week: 13
The week 12 result was a 48-27 loss.
What's next at Boston College?
Wake Forest's offensive line is X factor. Entering the game against the Demon Deacons, the Tigers had 17 sacks in 10 games, but they were no match for the Demon Deacons' pass rush. Sam Hartman was sacked seven times in the game.
Wake Forest can still make it to the conference championship game with a win over Boston College this Saturday. The team has scored points all year but needs to shore up their defense. They've given up a lot of points in the past three games.
22. The San Diego State Aztecs are 10-1
The previous week was 23.
The week 12 result was a 28-20 win for UNLV.
What's next is against the Broncos on Friday.
P Matt Araiza has an X factor. One of the most fascinating stories in college football is Araiza's impact. He's having the best season ever for a punter, and that needs to be embraced at every opportunity.
You need to know that the Aztecs need to beat the Broncos this week to make the title game. If San Jose State beats Fresno State, it will be the Bulldogs that win the West Division.
23. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns are 10-1
The previous week was 22.
The week 12 result was a 42-14 win over Liberty.
The next game is against UL Monroe. The time is later.
LB Chauncey Manac has an X factor. Manac was responsible for four of the seven sacks of Liberty's quarterback. His sacks resulted in losses. The Ragin' Cajuns defense forced six turnovers.
The Ragin' Cajuns have won 10 straight since a season-opening loss to Texas. The Sun Belt West is locked up, so they will face UL Monroe next week before facing Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Championship.
24. The NC State Wolfpack is 8-3)
The previous week was 25.
The week 12 result was a 41-17 win over Syracuse.
The next game is against North Carolina on Friday. The time is later.
LB Drake Thomas is an X factor. The team leader in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks, Thomas is the engine that drives the team, and he was the leader in all of those categories against Syracuse.
Only once in their history have the Pack won double-digit games, and that was in 2002 with Philip Rivers. Despite two losses, they are 8-3 and still have a chance to win the Atlantic.
25. The Arkansas Razorbacks are 4-7.
The previous week was 21.
The week 12 result was a loss to Alabama.
The next game is against Missouri on Friday at 3:30 p.m. The time is later.
The X factor is the person who has the most potential. The sixth-ranked wideout in Todd McShay's 2022 NFL draft rankings showed out against Alabama with eight catches for 179 yards and two touchdown, however, he left late in the game with an injury.
Arkansas started the season on a four-game winning streak, lost three straight and then won three in a row before falling to Alabama. The Razorbacks will look to end the season on a high note against Missouri.
