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. 6-5

6. LSU Tigers

On the heels of narrowly getting past Arkansas last week, there were more than a fair share of people who were wondering if Brian Kelly’s LSU would have some sort of trouble against a UAB team that has been playing much better than its 5-5 record would suggest. With that in mind, the Tigers undoubtedly deserve credit for getting an emphatic win over the Blazers on Saturday night in an uncharacteristically cold Death Valley.

Tennessee losing undoubtedly helps clear a path for LSU right now, though USC might’ve made things trickier with a victory over UCLA this week as well. But the fact of the matter is that, if Jayden Daniels can find the magic one more time and help lead his team to take down Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, LSU will have as good of a case as anyone as to why they should get in.

5. USC Trojans

Coming into Saturday night in Los Angeles, USC had played one ranked opponent all season. And that was a loss to Utah, the only defeat of the Trojans all season. That put the rivalry matchup against UCLA on a pedestal as an enormous proving ground for Lincoln Riley’s team. It was frenetic, it was hairy, but the Trojans got the job done as they outlasted the Bruins in a 48-45 shootout to get the win and move to 10-1 on the year.

With that win, it only feels right to move USC into the No. 5 spot ahead of LSU. They are a one-loss team that has now proven itself against a team the CFP selection committee has clearly shown a lot of respect. The defense remains flawed but they will have more chances to prove they’re worthy as they finish the year against Notre Dame and then have the Pac-12 Championship Game. And with Caleb Williams, it’d be foolish to count them out.