College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 13

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts on the sidelines against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 10: USC

USC was one of the rare teams to finish the college football season in Week 12. This came in a win over UCLA, 28-23, and guaranteed a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game. So, the Trojans’ season is far from over, along with a high-ranking bowl game. 10-2 probably wasn’t what everyone hoped from the Sam Darnold-led team, but it shouldn’t be considered a failure in Southern Cal.

No. 9: Penn State

Once upon a time, Penn State had as great of a chance at making the College Football Playoff as anyone. Then came back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Michigan State, which put the Nittany Lions out of the Big Ten Championship Game and ruined Saquon Barkley’s Heisman chances. A likely New Year’s Six Bowl shouldn’t be a disappointment, but there was a chance for greatness about one month ago.

No. 8: Ohio State

Despite losses to Oklahoma and Iowa, Ohio State has a terrific chance at the College Football Playoff. By defeating Michigan, it cemented a spot atop the Big Ten East and a date with Wisconsin at the Big Ten Championship Game. The winner could be in the top four, depending on what else happens in Championship Week. Look for the Buckeyes’ fate to be one of the biggest storylines, if they defeat the Badgers.

No. 7: Miami

Miami had a spot wrapped up in the College Football Playoff. The perfect season looked likely, with an ACC Championship Game against Clemson all that remained between a chance at the National Championship. Unfortunately for them, a game vs. Pitt was in the middle of this, which the Hurricanes didn’t show up to play and took one of the season’s most embarrassing losses. So, it will take plenty of help from the first six to get Mark Richt’s team back into the picture.

No. 6: Alabama

For the first time in 2017, Alabama has fallen out of the top four. An uncharacteristically poor performance vs. Auburn led to this, with the Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes in jeopardy. They can’t play in the SEC Championship Game, which the Tigers and Georgia will battle in, so it’s no guarantee the committee will place Nick Saban’s squad over the loser of this game. It will make for an interesting final reveal of the rankings.

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