AP Top 25 college football poll reaction: What’s next for
The AP Top 25 college football poll is out after another wild weekend of games.So what takes place from here? We break down what’s next for each ranked group.
Previous ranking: 1
Week 11 outcome: 45-19 win
vs. Mississippi State What’s next: at Kentucky( Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET )The Bulldogs require a big-play receiver with Arian Smith and Adonai Mitchell missing out on much of the season with injuries. They may have found one in sophomore Ladd McConkey in a 45-19 success at Mississippi State. Georgia botched a two-minute drill near the end of the first half, enabling the other Bulldogs to score on a 63-yard punt return to cut UGA’s cause 17-12 at the half. But on the 2nd play of the 2nd half, McConkey took a handoff on an end-around and ran 70 backyards for a goal to make it 24-12. On Georgia’s next possession, McConkey caught a 17-yard scoring pass from Stetson Bennett. McConkey finished with 5 catches for 71 lawns with one score. Okay for a player who was ranked the 152nd-best receiver in the nation in the class of 2020, according to ESPN’s recruiting rankings, and his only other FBS scholarship deal was from Vanderbilt. “I do not care what any person’s offers were,” Bennett stated. “Mine were … not here. You can tell when somebody’s running paths, and when you need to scramble, they discover open spots, you can play football. He can catch. He loves it, and he’s tough as nails. He’s just a dadgum football player, and I enjoy having him on our team.” — Mark Schlabach
Previous ranking: 2 Week 11 outcome: 56-14 win vs. Indiana What’s next: at Maryland(Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)The Buckeyes have one last tuneup prior to Michigan, as they visit a Maryland team that has actually cratered the previous couple of weeks. Health stays a huge concern for Ohio State, which has actually had essential offending gamers out all season. Coach Ryan Day didn’t sound too concerned about running back Miyan Williams’ injury Saturday, and stated beginning running back TreVeyon Henderson (foot) might return at Maryland after missing out on the past two games. Ohio State has actually won its previous 2 games versus Maryland by a combined rating of 139-31. — Adam Rittenberg
Previous ranking: 3 Week 11 result: 34-3 win vs. Nebraska What’s next:
vs. Illinois (Saturday, twelve noon ET)Michigan is 10-0 for the very first time because 2006 and has Illinois next on the schedule. The Illini have had a good season, but star running back Chase Brown sustained an injury in their most recent game. The Wolverines can’t look past Illinois, however the game against competing Ohio State looms. If both groups are unbeaten when they fulfill on Nov. 26, it’ll be the very first time that has actually taken place given that 2006, when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 and the Wolverines were ranked No. 2. The roadway to the College Football Playoff will go through Ohio State, and the winner of that game will have an exceptional chance at being one of the final 4 groups. — Tom VanHaaren
Previous ranking: 4 Week 11 outcome: 17-10 win vs. No. 18 Texas
What’s next: at Baylor( Saturday, noon ET )The Horned Frogs have a two-game lead in the Huge 12 standings and have currently clinched a spot in the conference title game, however after weeks of dancing around the concept of a playoff area, TCU is intending greater. The Horned Frogs take a trip to Baylor on Saturday looking to continue making an impression on the College Football Playoff committee. TCU is 7-1 in its previous 8 games versus Baylor, consisting of last year’s 30-28 upset of the Bears in the week following Gary Patterson’s ouster in Fort Worth. This year, Baylor is coming off a spectacular 31-3 loss at home to Kansas State on Saturday, another confounding game in a frustrating season for the Bears. However TCU knows it will still have a fight on its hands. — Dave Wilson
Previous ranking: 5 Week 11 outcome: 66-24 win. vs. Missouri What’s next: at South Carolina (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
The Vols (9-1) know what’s at stake the rest of the way. They need to be as convincing as they perhaps can these next 2 games against South Carolina and Vanderbilt, both on the roadway, and hope an 11-1 record (without an SEC champion) will be enough to get them into the playoff. If their 66-24 beatdown of Missouri on Saturday is any sign, coach Josh Heupel will not take his foot off the gas. Tennessee, hanging on to a comfortable 52-24 lead, scored a set of goals in the final 6 minutes of the game, consisting of one with 36 seconds staying. The Georgia loss is the only game all season in which Tennessee’s offense has actually been stymied. — Chris Low
Previous ranking: 7 Week 11 outcome: 13-10 win vs. Arkansas
What’s next: vs. UAB(Saturday
, 9 p.m. ET)It‘s not constantly pretty, however the Tigers just keep discovering methods to win and are now headed to the SEC national championship in a number of weeks– as improbable as that seemed back in September. Their 13-10 road win over Arkansas combined with Alabama’s win over Ole Miss ensures that LSU, in Brian Kelly’s very first season as coach, will bet an SEC title. Up next is a nonconference game against UAB and after that the regular-season finale versus Texas A&M on the roadway. If the Tigers can win those 2 games and then win the SEC national championship, they would put themselves in prime position to make the playoff.– Chris Low< img alt= ""src=" https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/30.png&w=110&h=110" width="31 “/ >
Previous ranking: 8
Week 11 result: 55-17 win vs. Colorado
What’s next: at UCLA (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET)
For all intents and functions, USC’s journey to the Rose Bowl next week is a playoff game. If the Trojans win, they will be in the Pac-12 championship game and stay alive for the CFP. As the Pac-12’s just one-loss team at this point, USC is the conference’s only team still in the CFP mix. After concluding the conference schedule, it will host Notre Dame the following week. — Kyle Bonagura
Previous ranking: 10 Week 11 outcome: 30-24 win vs. No. 11 Ole Miss What’s next: vs. Austin Peay (Saturday, noon ET)Even with no chance at playing in the SEC champion in Atlanta, the Crimson Tide didn’t quit. The streak of 184 games without successive regular-season losses remains undamaged after a hard-fought triumph on the road at Ole Miss. It’s insufficient, too late, however the defense in particular showed signs of improvement heading into the homestretch with the Iron Bowl still delegated play.– Alex Scarborough Previous ranking: 12 Week 11 outcome: 31-16 win vs. Louisville What’s next: vs. Miami(Saturday, 3:30p.m. ET )Despite the fact that the Tigers remain a long shot to makethe College Football Playoff, they will stay in the race as long as they keep winning. Next up is a Miami team that is coming off a win on the roadway versus Georgia Tech, however the Canes have not been competitive in their previous 3 matchups versus Clemson, getting burnt out in all 3. The status of Miami beginning quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is up in the air, however freshman quarterback Jacurri Brown presents a different dynamic for the Clemson defense because of his ability to run the ball. DJ Uiagalelei rebounded from his performance versus Notre Dame with a strong trip against Louisville, thanks to an efficient run game and receiver Antonio Williams, who had 106 all-purpose lawns.– Andrea Adelson Clemson quarterback
DJ Uiagalelei has tossed for 514 backyards, two goals and 3 interceptions over his last 3 games. AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman Previous ranking: 13 Week 11 outcome: 42-7 win vs. Stanford What’s
next: at Oregon (Saturday, 10:30 p.m.ET)The match versus Oregon lost a little juice after the Ducks fell to Washington in remarkable fashion on Saturday. But the stakes really have not changed: Utah needs to beat Oregon next week in Autzen to keep its Pac-12 title hopes alive.– Paolo Uggetti Previous ranking: 14 Week 11 result: 30-0 win vs. Maryland What’s next: at Rutgers(Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)The Nittany Lions are 8-2 with losses to Michigan and Ohio State, both ranked in the leading 5 of the College Football Playoff rankings. The team went 7-6 last season regardless of some regrettable injuries and now has a possibility to complete out this season at 10-2 with Rutgers and Michigan State staying on the schedule. The personnel has found answers in the run game and has freshman quarterback Drew Allar getting ready for the future.– Tom VanHaaren Previous ranking: 6 Week 11 result: 37-34 loss vs. No. 24 Washington What’s next: vs. Utah( Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET) Pour one out for
the Ducks. The path was there for them to reach the CFP, however what’s clear now is that it wouldn’t have gone well if they had actually reached the playoff. Regardless, it does
n’t get any easier with Utah coming to Eugene this week in a
must-win game with Pac-12 championship game purposes, followed by a tough competition trip to Oregon State.– Kyle Bonagura Previous ranking: 15 Week 11 outcome: 36-34 win vs. Wake Forest What’s next: vs. Georgia Tech (Saturday, 5:30 ET)The Tar Heels get to close out the last 2 games in your home, starting
with Georgia Tech. North Carolina has actually currently clinched a spot in the ACC national championship opposite Clemson, and these last 2 games can be utilized to tidy up the mistakes so
the group can be gotten ready for the Tigers. North Carolina
had 8 penalties in the win over Wake Forest and quit over 300 lawns passing– however the defense got an interception when it mattered most. These last couple of games are likewise an opportunity for Drake Maye to keep making an impression on a national audience as a prospective Heisman Trophy finalist.– Andrea Adelson Previous ranking: 11 Week 11 result: 30-24 loss vs. No. 10 Alabama What’s next: at Arkansas(Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)Lane Kiffin undoubtedly wished to beat Alabama. He had his former manager, Nick Saban, on the ropes with a double-digit lead in the first half. However it evaporated, and now Kiffin can’t let one loss become 2. A strong season is still possible at 8-2 with games versus Arkansas and Mississippi State left.– Alex Scarborough
Previous ranking: 24 Week 11 outcome: 37-34 win vs. No. 6 Oregon What’s next: vs. Colorado( Saturday, 9 p.m. ET )Not just did the Huskies’thrilling win against Oregon remove the Ducks from CFP contention; it likewise kept the Huskies’ slim Pac-12 title hopes alive. If UW beats Colorado and WSU, it will finish 7-2 in conference play, which does not guarantee it’ll reach the title game, however it’s possible. One possible circumstance: USC beats UCLA; Oregon beats Utah and loses to Oregon State.– Kyle Bonagura Previous ranking:
9 Week 11 result: 34-28 loss vs. Arizona What’s next: vs. USC
(Saturday, 8 p.m. ET )It is not the kind of fight for Los Angeles that lots of, consisting of the Bruins themselves, anticipated, however it is a competition game nevertheless. As USC heads to the Rose Bowl next week to face a UCLA team coming off its second loss of the season, there’s still plenty up for grabs, including a shot at the conference title for both teams. The Bruins might be kicking themselves after wasting away a long
shot at the playoff, however they’ll be happy to play spoiler to USC’s chances next week.– Paolo
Uggetti Previous ranking: 22 Week 11 outcome: 38-31 win vs. No. 16 Tulane What’s next: vs. Navy( Saturday, twelve noon ET)The Knights’running game( 336 backyards )was all set to produce a little chaos inside the AAC during their 38-31 win at Tulane, establishing a three-way tie for initially atop the AAC with two weeks to play. Senior QB John Rhys Plumlee getting back in the flow throwing the football(17-of-30 death, 132 backyards, one touchdown) and crisper play( 8 charges for 69 lawns against Tulane)would
be welcomed developments. The Knights figure to be in excellent shape to get a minimum of a share of the leading area with games against Navy and at South Florida to end up out the year.– Blake Baumgartner Previous ranking: 20 Week 11 outcome: 35-32 win vs. Navy What’s next: vs. Boston College(Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET) Improvement is not direct, as Notre Dame revealed Saturday in Baltimore. The Fighting Irish have actually been dominant for some stretches (whole Clemson game, first half at Navy) and unstable for others throughout the season. They will require to find out what went wrong in the 2nd half versus the Mids, particularly with the run game. Notre Dame can’t take any challenger for given, particularly on its house field, and Boston College
is available in after
stunning NC State on the road. The Irish
can still be a spoiler this season– they go to USC on Nov. 26– and protect a strong bowl berth. But disparity continues to surround Marcus Freeman’s team.– Adam Rittenberg Previous ranking: 23 Week 11 outcome: 31-3 win vs. Baylor What’s next: at West Virginia(Saturday, 2 p.m. ET)It’s been a topsy-turvy Big 12 race, and with Saturday’s surprisingly easy 31-3 win over Baylor in Waco, Kansas State returned into second place, a game up on Oklahoma State and Baylor (over whom they hold a tiebreaker benefit)and Texas( whom they don’t)for the 2nd area in the Big 12 national championship. Next up: a journey to Morgantown to face an up-and-down West Virginia, then perhaps the most intriguing competition game with Kansas in years.– Expense Connelly Previous ranking: 25
Week 11 outcome: 38-3 win vs. Syracuse What’s next: vs. Louisiana
(Saturday, midday ET)The Seminoles will invite Louisiana to town next week hoping to extend their winning streak to 4 versus a Sun Belt opponent and prior to they head into rivalry week versus the Gators. Running back Trey Benson has paced FSU’s offense these past three games and will be looking for his fourth straight game with 100 rushing yards or more. Safe to say the Noles will be heavily favored, and after two sub -.500 seasons under Mike Norvell, a win next week will provide him and the program its very first
season with at least 8 wins since 2016.– Paolo Uggetti Previous ranking: 16
Week 11 outcome: 38-31 loss vs. No. 22 UCF What’s next: vs. SMU(Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET )Willie Fritz’s group will require to turn the page rapidly after giving up a season-high 468 lawns to UCF. SMU will be in town Thursday as Tulane still manages its fate in terms of getting a piece of the program’s very first conference title since 1998 (Conference USA). Tidying up the charges( 8 for 76 yards versus UCF)and getting junior QB Michael Pratt(64 first-half passing yards) off to a quicker start is vital. Now in a three-way tie with Cincinnati and UCF atop the AAC, the Green Wave host SMU prior to completing the regular season at Cincinnati on Nov. 25.– Blake Baumgartner Previous ranking: unranked Week 11 outcome:
27-25 win vs. East Carolina What’s next:
at Temple(Saturday, 4 p.m. ET)In Friday’s 27-25 win over East Carolina, Cincinnati struggled yet again to run the football, handling only 66 backyards. Through 11 weeks, Cincinnati ranks second-to-last in the AAC in hurrying(127.6 YPG). More consistency on the ground with 2 weeks to go (at Temple, vs. Tulane) to take pressure off senior QB Ben Bryant and the death game might make or break hopes of a third straight conference title. The Bearcats picked up their 32nd straight home triumph– the country’s second-longest active streak(Clemson)– and moved into a three-way tie for very first in the AAC.–
Blake Baumgartner Previous ranking: unranked Week 11 outcome: 26-23 win vs. Southern Miss What’s next:
at Virginia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)Jamey Chadwell’s Chanticleers clinched the Sun Belt East title with Saturday’s resurgence success over Southern Miss. At 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play, they now head to Virginia for their last couple of games– first to Charlottesville to face UVa, then to Harrisonburg to handle James Madison. Jarrett Guest and Bryce Carpenter both took snaps on Saturday in the absence of hurt quarterback Grayson McCall; we’ll see how Chadwell manages the scenario with a number of games to prep for the Sun Belt championship.– Costs Connelly Previous ranking: unranked Week 11 result: 20-14 win vs. Iowa State What’s next: at Oklahoma(Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)This could be one of the last Bedlam Competition games we see for a while. Once Oklahoma transfers to the SEC, the
in-state rivalry likely will not be played for a long time–” eventually in the 2030s,”Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione stated in September. It will not have the cachet of in 2015’s match, when Oklahoma State rallied and upset Oklahoma 37-33 in a fight of top-10 groups. There’s still an outdoors chance the 7-3 Cowboys make the Big 12 national championship, and beating the 5-5 Sooners would be necessary towards that.– Matt Eisenberg Previous ranking: unranked Week 11 outcome: 38-10 win vs. Cal What’s next: at Arizona State(Saturday, 2:15 p.m. ET)The Beavers will head to Arizona State next week for a matinee matchup versus the Sun Devils. Running back Adrian Martinez will be looking for his fifth straight
game of 100 hurrying backyards or more, and OSU will be hoping tohead into the regular-season ending versus its in-state competing Oregon the following week with eight wins for the first time because 2012.– Paolo Uggetti Dropped out: NC State (17 ), Texas( 18), Liberty(19 ), Illinois(21)