College Football Playoff rankings 2022: Projected Week 13 Top 25 after Tennessee upset, USC proves itself, Ohio State gets scared

Projected College Football Playoff rankings after Week 12: No. 10-9

10. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks had been making headway to essentially erase their loss to Georgia and potentially make its way into the College Football Playoff. But their most difficult opponent since that blowout loss to the Dawgs proved to be too much as a haymaker-fest with Washington ended up with Dan Lanning’s team taking its second loss of the year.

So the question was how this team would bounce back, especially with Bo Nix at less than 100 percent. And it was clear that the quarterback was not healthy as he didn’t have his normal mobility. That’s where the Oregon defense came to play, though, showing arguably its best form of the season as it caused Cam Rising a ton of issues and forced several turnovers. The offense then was able to do enough for the Ducks to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive and well.

9. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee fans were salivating over two things prior to Saturday night. They were waiting for a loss from TCU, Ohio State or Michigan, and they were more eagerly anticipating potentially getting another crack at Georgia if the Vols were able to get back into the Top 4 of the College Football Playoff rankings. On Saturday night in Columbia, though, Spencer Rattler and the South Carolina defense made sure that none of that would either matter or be possible.

Tennessee’s defense was virtually nonexistent on the night as Rattler had the game of his life against the Vols. Hendon Hooker was fine but the offense was far from perfect. And when Hooker went out early in the fourth quarter with a knee injury that also resulted in a turnover, that was curtains for Tennessee. There’s basically no shot they make it into the Playoff and a dream season has now seen every fan woken up abruptly and unexpectedly.