College Football Playoff rankings: Big Ten or SEC can get 2 in after Oklahoma loss

After Oklahoma’s loss, the College Football Playoff rankings provide some clarity, but chaos looms with the SEC and Big Ten possibly getting two teams in.

Another fantastic week in college football brought upon some outstanding games. A great battle took place out in Baton Rouge, and a couple of top teams put together dominating performances. One game, however, shook up the College Football Playoff rankings. For the third straight week, a huge upset occurred.

There were mixed opinions about Oklahoma’s trip into Manhattan, Kansas to play the Kansas State Wildcats. Some thought it would be no problem, while others thought it could be a tricky game. No one would’ve guessed that the Sooners would be trailing by 25 at one point in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma rallied to within seven and thought they got the onside kick they needed to drive down to tie the game, but the Sooners illegally touched the ball before recovering the kick. Craziness ensued when Kansas State was given the ball.

With another upset shocking the college football world, the playoff rankings get a shakeup with a familiar face returning.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

With starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out, many wondered how the offense would look against Arkansas without him. It wasn’t as crisp, but the Tide got things going early against the Razorbacks and didn’t look back. Mac Jones was efficient for Alabama, completing 18-of-22 for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He found wide receiver Jerry Jeudy twice and Henry Ruggs once. Jeudy went over 100 yards receiving on the day. Running back Najee Harris ran for 86 yards and added two touchdowns on the day.

The defense looked a lot better, even if it was just against Arkansas. Anfernee Jennings made his presence felt early, batting down a pass and intercepting a pass in the first quarter. Patrick Surtain and Trevon Diggs also had interceptions, and Diggs took his back 84 yards for a score.

If the defense can come on strong through the end of the season, and Tua returns healthy for LSU, it will be tough to stop this team down the stretch. They get the bye to rest up and get ready for the game of the year in two weeks against LSU.

2. LSU Tigers

Another big test for the Tigers ended the way the previous two did: with a win. Even at home, the Auburn Tigers would be a difficult test, especially with their physical front seven. Auburn’s Derrick Brown made things difficult early for Joe Burrow and the running game, and the Tiger bowl ended up tied 10-10 at the half.

LSU got stopped at the goal line by Auburn early in the second half, and then Burrow threw a pick on a 50-50 ball the drive after. Burrow settled in after the interception and made some key throws down the stretch. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire caught fire in the second half and finished with 136 yards on 26 carries.

The defense made life extremely difficult for freshman quarterback Bo Nix, as he completed only 15 of 35 passing. They sacked Nix three times on the day, and freshman Derek Stingley picked him off late in the game.

With the defense showing it has the juice late in games, and Burrow showing his poise and moxie, this team isn’t like previous LSU teams this decade.

They have a bye and face Alabama in two weeks in Tuscaloosa. Hopefully, Grant Delpit will be healthy by then.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes haven’t faced a big-time test yet in the season, but many thought Wisconsin might provide a big challenge after their letdown against Illinois last week.

Things were difficult for Ohio State at the beginning of the game. They couldn’t get the running game going with J.K. Dobbins and Justin Fields faced a lot of pressure (Wisconsin sacked him five times on the day). Late in the second half, they found a little rhythm, and a Fields touchdown pass to Chris Olave got the Buckeyes up 10-0 at the break.

Everything started cooking for the Buckeyes in the second half, especially Dobbins. He finished with 163 yards and two touchdowns on just 20 carries. Fields polished off a solid day with two more touchdowns.

The defense was the key in this one. Chase Young absolutely dominated today with four sacks and two forced fumbles, and once again shows that he is the best player in the country. The defense also held Jonathan Taylor to just 52 yards on 20 carries.

This group is playing some fantastic football, and they’re off next week before they get Maryland.

4. Clemson Tigers

Talk about a bounce-back for Clemson and they are rewarded with a spot back in the College Football Playoff. They absolutely took it to Boston College, getting out to a 38-7 lead by halftime. Trevor Lawrence had his best game of the season to date, completing 16 of 19 for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He looked more patient and comfortable, making smart reads and not getting carried away. It helped that Travis Etienne had a great game once again, gaining 109 yards on 16 carries and scoring three times.

The defense allowed just six completions through the air and forced plenty of three and outs on the night, despite giving up some chunk plays on the ground to A.J. Dillon. Like Alabama, their defense is starting to gel, especially up front on passing downs.

Clemson gets Wofford next week and should find themselves undefeated come playoff time.

Just Missed: Penn State, Florida

Two teams I wouldn’t have thought would be in this spot find themselves here two-thirds of the way through the season. Penn State is playing very good defense and their offense has found two stars in K.J. Hamler and Pat Friermuth. Their only path to the playoff is by beating Ohio State.

As for Florida, they need to stay undefeated, and that starts with beating Georgia next Saturday in Jacksonville. If they can do that, they need some help and need to keep the SEC Championship game close.

The official College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled on Nov. 5. Don’t be surprised if we see two SEC teams or two Big Ten teams with a chance at making the four-team field.

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