AP Poll Top 25 winners and losers: Oregon, Utah, Georgia keep hopes alive

This is the last AP Poll Top 25 before the playoff rankings come out on Tuesday.

A moment of silence, please, for all of us rooting for those Group of Five undefeated teams in the AP Poll Top 25.

What a devastating week for the Sonny Dykes and Appalachian State hype trains. Goodnight sweet prince(s).

This week’s poll marks the final AP Poll that really matters for the cream of the crop. It’s also the last week of LSU’s role as seat-warmer for Alabama. Next week we find out if Joe Burrow is Joseph Freaking Burrow, or just another quarterback putting up numbers in friendly confines (his “worst” game came against the best defense he’s played but was at home.)

We know that the SEC is the best conference in college football. The Pac 12 is probably the most exciting to watch, despite an absurd number of under-performing teams (come on Washington). The ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are one team leagues, with the obvious caveat that anyone can lose on any given Saturday. And we really don’t know who should be in the bottom part of the AP Top 25, especially with SMU and Appalachian State taking bows this weekend. Not that it matters too much beyond pride and bowl games.

In the SEC, we know that at least two of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU all have a crucial L built into their schedules. There is a chance that all three have one loss at the end of the season, with Georgia having the worst flavored loss of the three, but that scenario means that Georgia wins the conference. Alabama has the toughest remaining schedule of the three. LSU might just pull this off.

In the Pac 12, there is a universe where 4-5 UCLA wins its next three games and squares off against Oregon in the Pac 12 Championship. The Pac 12 dream, though, is Utah and Oregon meeting for a win-and-in matchup. Both teams have played incredibly well since their early-season hiccups.

Elsewhere, the races look pretty boring. West Virginia almost exposed Big 12 leader, Baylor, who will struggle against Oklahoma. Ohio State has played better than any other team in the Big Ten by a country mile. The Atlantic Conference of Clemson.

It’s November football, folks. The race for the College Football Playoff is on. And it is gonna be so dope.

AP Poll Week 11 Top 25

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. Penn State
6. Georgia
7. Oregon
8. Utah
9. Oklahoma
10. Florida
11. Baylor
12. Auburn
13. Minnesota
14. Michigan
15. Notre Dame
16. Wisconsin
17. Cincinnati
18. Iowa
19. Memphis
20. Kansas State
21. Boise State
22. Wake Forest
23. SMU
24. San Diego State
25. Navy

Winners

No. 6 Georgia (previously No. 8) — The Bulldogs took care of business against Florida. Despite a close final score, Georgia dominated this game. Possibly arm-shamed Jake Fromm carried his offense across the finish line. Jacob Eason might be more talented, but Georgia picked the right Jake for this offense. Now, this win keeps Georgia alive in the CFP hunt and an elite win that should help paper over the loss to South Carolina.

No. 8 Utah (previously No. 9) — Look out now! The Utes are rolling, picking off the best most talented guaranteed spiciest hot-button quarterback in the next two drafts twice. Tyler Huntley is now certified “That Dude” and a nightmare for the rest of the Pac 12. If Utah holds serve, they are set up to meet Oregon in the Pac 12 title game, which means that they are very much in the CFP discussion. Let’s start talking about Kyle Whittingham as Coach of the Year.

No. 25 Navy (previously unranked) — Look. The Midshipmen weren’t supposed to be here. This was supposed to be Army’s season, but check out the triple-option holding down the fort for the Armed Forces Academies. If they take care of business against Army, they’ll have the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy once again. Army-Navy remains one of the best rivalries in college football.

Losers

No. 7 Oregon (previously No. 7) — Oregon should be ranked ahead of Georgia, given they both have SEC losses and Oregon’s is much better than Georgia’s, but here we are. Voters decided that the SEC matters more. Still, Oregon is in the driver’s seat for its spot in the Playoff. The Ducks not only managed to brush aside “upset special” talks, but they also dominated USC in every facet of the game.

No. 10 Florida (previously No. 6) — Florida may have been No. 6 in the poll, but it never felt like they were a true top-six team. The win against Auburn was impressive (less so, if Auburn drops one to Georgia and Alabama), but that is about it for the Gators thus far. This would have been a statement win that might portend a changing of the guard in the SEC East. For now, Mullen’s squad will remain second fiddle.

No. 23 SMU (previously No. 15) — First of all, SMU was right to go for two:

Second, this is such a huge let down for fans that love undefeated teams from Group of Five conferences. Especially one with such a compelling backstory. The Mustangs have finally fought back to respectability after suffering the harshest penalty ever leveled by the NCAA. Hopefully, they bounce back and finish the season ranked.

Appalachian State (previously No. 20) — What is more impressive: SMU’s return to prominence or App State’s rise. They have been in the FBS for half a decade and are now the best team in its conference. Compare that to UMass’s futility over a (slightly) longer span, and it’s nothing short stunning. Even if the Mountaineers run the table, they probably won’t be ranked during the rest of the regular season. Maybe next year, guys.

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