College football rankings 2021: Projected Week 13 AP Top 25 after Oregon gets steamrolled, Alabama survives and Ohio State shines

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

With The Game looming next week, there was every reason to believe that Ohio State could not have their foot completely on the gas on Saturday as they welcomed a capable Michigan State team to Columbus. Instead, they decided to make a tremendous statement with an outright shellacking of Sparty that might make MSU question that Mel Tucker extension.

C.J. Stroud threw for over 400 yards and six touchdowns in the first half and it was a blowout right from the jump for the Buckeyes. If they’re playing like this, it’s hard to imagine Michigan or anyone else in the Big Ten keeping them from controlling their own destiny, winning out, and making it into the College Football Playoff yet again.

3. Cincinnati Bearcats

Facing their biggest test since they were on the road against Notre Dame, Cincinnati finally delivered a statement game and won style points as they faced off against the SMU Mustangs on Saturday. Desmond Ridder was moving the ball with ease throughout the day and the Bearcats defense put the clamps on a truly explosive offensive attack, blanking the Pony Express until garbage time.

With Oregon losing, Cincinnati now has a very real chance to make it into the College Football Playoff and this type of win was exactly what they needed to solidify that case. The Bearcats have proven time and again that they have done everything necessary to get that shot and this game and the surrounding circumstances should cement that.