Image Courtesy: Indiana University Athletics
CFP Top 12
1.Oregon 11-0 (8-0) Big Ten This week: Off
2.Ohio State 9-1 (6-1) Big Ten This week: 5.Indiana (10-0) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
3.Texas 9-1 (5-1) SEC This week: Kentucky (4-6) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
4.Penn State 9-1 (6-1) Big Ten This week: @ Minnesota (6-4) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
5.Indiana 10-0 (7-0) Big Ten This week: @ 2.Ohio State (9-1) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
6.Notre Dame 9-1 Independents This week: 19.Army (9-0) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, NBC)
7.Alabama 8-2 (4-2) SEC This week: @ Oklahoma (5-5) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
8.Miami 9-1 (5-1) ACC This week: Wake Forest (4-6) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
9.Ole Miss 7-2 (4-2) SEC This week: @ Florida (5-5) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
10.Georgia 8-2 (6-2) SEC This week: Massachusetts (2-8) (Saturday, 12:45 PM ET, SECN)
11.Tennessee 8-2 (5-2) SEC This week: UTEP (2-8) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN+/SECN+)
12.Boise State 9-1 (6-0) Mountain West This week: @ Wyoming (2-8) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, CBSSN)
Projected College Football Playoff Bracket (How the College Football Playoff bracket is seeded)
First Round
South Bend
8.Notre Dame
9.Alabama
Columbus
5.Ohio State
12.BYU
State College
6.Penn State
11.Georgia
Bloomington
7.Indiana
10.Ole Miss
Quarterfinals
Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Oregon
8.Notre Dame/9.Alabama
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
4.Boise State
5.Ohio State/12.BYU
Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
3.Miami
6.Penn State/11.Georgia
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
2.Texas
7.Indiana/10.Ole Miss
Biggest risers and fallers in the CFP Top 25 this week:
Risers
7.Alabama 8-2 (4-2) SEC Week 12: #10 (Defeated Mercer 52-7)
17.Clemson 8-2 (7-1) ACC Week 12: #17 (Defeated Pittsburgh 24-20)
18.South Carolina 7-3 (5-3) SEC Week 12: #21 (Defeated 23.Missouri 34-30)
19.Army 9-0 (7-0) American Week 12: #24 (Off)
20.Tulane 9-2 (7-0) American Week 12: #25 (Defeated Navy 35-0)
Fallers
11.Tennessee 8-2 (5-2) SEC Week 12: #7 (Lost to 12.Georgia 31-17)
14.BYU 9-1 (6-1) Big 12 Week 12: #6 (Lost to Kansas 17-13)
Dropped Out
Kansas State 7-3 (4-3) Big 12 Week 12: #16 (Lost to Arizona State 24-14)
Washington State 8-2 Pac-12 Week 12: #18 (Lost to New Mexico 38-35)
Louisville 6-4 (4-3) ACC Week 12: #19 (Lost to Stanford 38-35)
LSU 6-4 (3-3) SEC Week 12: #22 (Lost to Florida 27-16)
New
21.Arizona State 8-2 (5-2) Big 12 Week 12: NR (Defeated 16.Kansas State 24-14)
22.Iowa State 8-2 (5-2) Big 12 Week 12: NR (Defeated Cincinnati 34-17)
24.UNLV 8-2 (4-1) Mountain West Week 12: NR (Defeated San Diego State 41-20)
25.Illinois 7-3 (4-3) Big Ten Week 12: NR (Defeated Michigan State 38-16)
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Saturday, November 23
5.Indiana (10-0) @ 2.Ohio State (9-1)
12 PM ET, FOX
Will Indiana prove they are a true playoff team? Or will Ohio State continue their march on to the Big Ten title game with a win? The trip to Columbus is normally tough for every team, but will it be a successful one for the upstart, undefeated Hoosiers? Curt Cignetti’s team has been good all year, especially his quarterback Kurtis Rourke (2410 yards, 21 TDs, and 4 INTs) and leading receiver Elijah Sarratt (685 yards and 6 TDs). The Rourke-led offense will have the pleasure of going against Jim Knowles’ terrific defense, led by safety Sonny Styles (63 tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 passes defended) and linebacker Cody Simon (55 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2.5 sacks). The Buckeyes offense has continued to progress under first year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly with the tremendous tailback trio of Quinshon Judkins (723 yards and 8 TDs) and TreVeyon Henderson (662 yards and 5 TDs) and receiving combo of freshman Jeremiah Smith (865 yards and 9 TDs) and veteran Emeka Egbuka (612 yards and 8 TDs) helping their quarterback Will Howard (2484 yards, 24 TDs, and 5 INTs) to a terrific season. It will be up to linebacker Aiden Fisher (98 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1.5 sacks) and the Indiana defense to stop this high powered offense. Cignetti has done a terrific job in under a year in Bloomington so far but they have never seen Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes yet. Projected Score: Ohio State 38, Indiana 21
14.BYU (9-1) @ 21.Arizona State (8-2)
3:30 PM ET, ESPN
BYU was upended by Kansas last Saturday, taking their first loss of the season. Two weeks ago, when the Cougars renewed their instate rivalry with an underachieving Utah team, they almost lost that game too. So, a bounce back will be necessary Saturday afternoon when they head to Tempe and face the red hot Arizona State Sun Devils. The Sun Devils, winners of three games in a row, defeated then 16.Kansas State 24-14 last weekend. A win over the Cougars puts them at worst tied for first place in the Big 12 with Colorado, if the Buffaloes also win this Saturday. Kenny Dillingham’s team is catching fire at the right time freshman signal-caller Sam Leavitt (1906 yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs), running back Cam Skattebo (1074 yards and 11 TDs) and receiver Jordyn Tyson (833 yards and 9 TDs) leading the Arizona State offense. Defensive backs Myles Rowser (77 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Xavion Alford (65 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) will look to pick off BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who has thrown 19 touchdowns but has struggled with 8 interceptions on the season. A quality running game with tailback LJ Martin (501 yards and 5 TDs) should establish the play action passing game for Retzlaff to get the ball down the field to his favorite target, Chase Roberts, who has 42 catches, 659 yards, and 4 TDs. In what will be a College Football Playoff elimination game, I think Arizona State will protect home field, moving closer to a Big 12 title game appearance in their first season in the league. Projected Score: Arizona State 34, BYU 31
19.Army (9-0) @ 6.Notre Dame (9-1)
7 PM ET, NBC
Notre Dame must avoid a loss to Army or they will not be a College Football Playoff team this season after their week two loss to Northern Illinois. Army could spoil things for the Fighting Irish but a loss for the Black Knights would be their first of the season. Their option offense may have a tough time with Notre Dame’s defense on the road. If the Fighting Irish can get up in this game, they must show all they can do and blow Army out to secure their spot with USC coming up next weekend. Riley Leonard has been dialed in for the Irish since the loss to the Huskies, passing for 1789 yards and 12 touchdowns. Leonard has received help from tailback Jeremiyah Love (720 yards and 12 TDs) and receiver Beaux Collins (390 yards and 2 TDs). For the Black Knights, quarterback Bryson Daily leads the team in passing and rushing. He has thrown for 644 yards, 7 T, 1 INT and has rushed for 1062 yards and an incredible 21 touchdowns. Daily’s running back duo of Kanye Udoh (856 yards and 9 TDs) and Noah Short (439 yards and 2 TDs) will look to help him upset Notre Dame. Linebacker Brett Gerena (34 tackles and 3 sacks), defensive lineman Kyle Lewis (25 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble), and linebacker Elo Modozie (22 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended) will look to make it difficult for the Fighting Irish on offense. This one will be close all the way throughout but Notre Dame must win to keep their playoff hopes alive and I think they do so with a win. Projected Score: Notre Dame 27, Army 20
