The Top 7 teams in the College Football Playoff Rankings remained unchanged on Nov. 16, as Oklahoma dropped out of the Top 10, clearing a spot for a pair of teams to move up.
The playoff picture, with three weeks left, really didn’t change much. Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State represented the Top 4 this week, just as they did last week.
Cincinnati, despite remaining undefeated — and being one of three teams in the country to be undefeated this late in the season — was the first team on the outside looking in at No. 5.
After that, the two Michigan schools — Michigan and Michigan State — were No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.
The major change came at No. 8, as Oklahoma — last week’s No. 8 — dropped to No. 13.
Baylor’s 27-14 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday caused that discombobulation. With the win, Baylor moved up from No. 13 to No. 11.
Notre Dame and Oklahoma State most directly benefited from the Sooners’ loss. Notre Dame and Oklahoma State moved up one spot to No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. But, both need help to make a more legitimate playoff case.
Wake Forest rounded out the Top 10.
There is more time for the picture to change. Just in the Big Ten, Ohio State must play both Michigan State and Michigan to end the season. Oregon still has to play Utah. Cincinnati hosts SMU at home this week, and is pointed toward an American Athletic Conference title game with Houston, just as the Cougars reached the Top 25 this week.
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College Football Playoff Top 25
Released on Nov. 16, 2021
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Oregon
4. Ohio State
5. Cincinnati
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State
8. Notre Dame
9. Oklahoma State
10. Wake Forest
11. Baylor
12. Ole Miss
13. Oklahoma
14. BYU
15. Wisconsin
16. Texas A&M
17. Iowa
18. Pitt
19. San Diego State
20. NC State
21. Arkansas
22. UTSA
23. Utah
24. Houston
25. Mississippi State