The college football playoff picture is a real head-scratcher right now. We’ve got five teams from the Power Five conferences who are all undefeated with 11-0 records. It’s a real nail-biter as we head into the final week of the regular season. But hey, at least we can take a crack at predicting the new AP Top 25 poll. It’s not as limited as the playoff spots, so it’s a bit easier to forecast. Still, the Week 12 results are shaping up to throw a curveball at those undefeated teams.
Washington really had to step out of its comfort zone on Saturday night. They faced off against a tough Oregon State team in the pouring rain in Corvallis, Oregon. Michael Penix Jr. didn’t have his usual stats, but the Huskies managed to pull off a 22-20 win. It was a real gritty performance, and it’s the kind of win that shuts up the doubters. We’re betting that this quality victory against the Beavers will push Washington past Florida State for the No. 4 spot.
Outside of the top 10, we’re expecting some major shake-ups in the rankings. This time of year always brings surprises as late-season conference play trips up a bunch of teams. It’s the perfect opportunity for underdogs like Iowa and UNLV to snag some spots in the 20s on the AP voters’ ballots.
Here’s our take on how the new AP Top 25 will look after Week 12:
1. Georgia (Last week — 1)
Georgia continues to dominate, finishing with an 8-0 record in SEC play for the third consecutive season. Their 28-game winning streak matches an SEC record. They’re on fire!
2. Michigan (2)
The Wolverines managed to scrape by with a 31-24 win against Maryland. It’s up for debate whether they were ever really in danger of an upset, but they’re holding strong.
3. Ohio State (3)
Trevor Henderson led the charge with 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 37-3 win against Minnesota. No surprises here.
4. Washington (5)
The Huskies battled through tough conditions and pulled off a gritty 22-20 win against Oregon State. They’re proving themselves as a title contender.
5. Florida State (4)
Florida State is facing uncertainty after Jordan Travis’ injury. Their future is up in the air, and a strong Washington win could shake up their ranking.
6. Oregon (6)
Bo Nix threw for 404 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-13 win at Arizona State. The Ducks are looking strong at 10-1.
7. Texas (7)
Steve Sarkisian has led the Longhorns to their first 10-win regular season since 2009. They’re making a comeback!
8. Alabama (8)
Alabama cruised to a 66-10 win against FCS Chattanooga. They’re gearing up for the Iron Bowl and the SEC title showdown.
9. Louisville (9)
The Cardinals held off Miami to secure a spot in the ACC Championship Game. They’re having a dream debut season under Jeff Brohm.
10. Missouri (11)
Missouri narrowly escaped with a win against Florida, keeping them in the top 10.
11. Penn State (12)
Penn State faced quarterback injuries but still managed a 27-6 win. They’re holding strong as a top-ranked two-loss team.
12. Ole Miss (13)
Jaxson Dart and the Rebels secured a 35-3 win against ULM, putting any upset concerns to rest.
13. Oklahoma (14)
Despite an injury scare, Oklahoma improved to 9-2 overall with a 31-24 win.
14. Oregon State (10)
Despite the loss, Oregon State put up a good fight against Washington. They’re still projected to be the highest-ranked three-loss team.
15. LSU (15)
LSU’s Jayden Daniels had a standout performance, but they’re sitting just behind Oregon State in the rankings.
16. Arizona (19)
Arizona’s defense shone in a 42-18 win against Utah. They’re having an impressive season.
17. Tulane (17)
Tulane secured a 24-8 win at FAU, maintaining their 10-1 record.
18. Notre Dame (20)
Sam Hartman led Notre Dame to a 45-7 win, solidifying their spot in the rankings.
19. Oklahoma State (24)
Oklahoma State jumped ahead with a 43-30 win at Houston, honoring their head-to-head result against Kansas State.
20. Kansas State (23)
Kansas State fought back to secure a win, keeping them in the top 25.
21. Liberty (25)
Liberty remains the last undefeated team in the country, and they’re gaining voter attention.
22. Iowa (NR)
Iowa clinched the Big Ten West with a 15-13 win against Illinois, earning a spot in the Big Ten title game.
23. UNLV (NR)
UNLV had an impressive win against Air Force, putting them in first place in the conference standings.
24. SMU (NR)
SMU is one win away from an undefeated conference season after a 38-34 win at Memphis.
25. NC State (NR)
NC State secured an 8-3 record and a four-game winning streak, making them a strong three-loss team.
Projected to drop out: No. 16 Utah, No. 18 James Madison, No. 21 Tennessee, No. 22 North Carolina