College Football Rankings 2014: Week 12 Standings and Top 25 Team Records
We're heading into Week 12 of the college football season, and the nation's hierarchy continues to be very fluid. While some teams continue to establish themselves as true College Football Playoff contenders, others are falling by the wayside after dreadful performances. Polls continue to drastically change as a result.
After an eventful Week 11, we learned that Notre Dame's defense and turnover issues couldn't keep the team near the top of the pecking order. We also learned that teams like Alabama, Oregon and TCU are very much for real after their respective solid showings against ranked opponents. But the question remains: Are they playoff worthy?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Once the dust settled, new polls emerged. Rest assured, they don't much resemble how they looked just one week ago. So, where does your team stand as we head into the final stretch of the season? Here's a look at the nation's Top 25 entering Week 12:
| 1 | Mississippi State |
| 2 | Florida State |
| 3 | Oregon |
| 4 | Alabama |
| 5 | TCU |
| 6 | Arizona State |
| 7 | Baylor |
| 8 | Ohio State |
| 9 | Auburn |
| 10 | Ole Miss |
| 11 | Nebraska |
| 12 | Kansas State |
| 13 | Michigan State |
| 14 | Notre Dame |
| 15 | Georgia |
| 16 | UCLA |
| 17 | Arizona |
| 18 | LSU |
| 19 | Duke |
| 20 | Clemson |
| 21 | Wisconsin |
| 22 | Marshall |
| 23 | Georgia Tech |
| 24 | Colorado State |
| 25 | Utah |
Week 12 Marquee Matchup
Mississippi State Bulldogs at Alabama Crimson Tide
The Bulldogs haven't seen a team as complete as Alabama yet this season. Mississippi State has beaten offensive-oriented teams like Auburn and defensive-minded teams like LSU, but it hasn't faced an opponent that can get it done on both sides of the ball like the Crimson Tide.
Blake Sims has emerged as a quality quarterback for Alabama. He's established rapport with wide receiver Amari Cooper, and the duo hooked up eight times for 83 yards and a score against LSU in Week 11. Despite some early struggles from Sims, he stepped up when it counted most, orchestrating decisive late-game drives.
ESPN Stats & Info tweeted his numbers during those defining moments:
Meanwhile, T.J. Yeldon provided nice balance on the ground, averaging 4.5 yards per carry against a stout Tigers defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Crimson Tide stifled Anthony Jennings and the LSU offense. Jennings completed just eight of his 26 pass attempts and the Tigers averaged just 3.3 yards per carry on the ground.
All of this was accomplished against a team that took down Ole Miss just one week prior. It's safe to say Alabama has hit its stride in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State remains unbeaten, but the team hasn't been without hiccups. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been a phenomenal dual-threat player this season, but turnovers have recently become an issue. Prior to his Week 11 contest against UT-Martin, he had tossed five interceptions in his previous three contests.
His strength remains in his ability to move the chains with his legs. College GameDay tweeted a very impressive stat regarding the quarterback's ground attack:
Unfortunately, that aspect of Prescott's game may not be quite as effective in Week 12 against an Alabama run defense ranked first in the nation, allowing an average of just 76.36 yards per game on the ground, according to NCAA.com.
The Bulldogs defense hasn't been the most consistent squad this season. It melted down at times this year, allowing 34 points to UAB, 29 to LSU, 31 to Texas A&M and 31 to Kentucky. Giving up anything close to 30 points against Alabama will almost assure Mississippi State of a loss—the Crimson Tide's defense hasn't allowed more than 23 points in a single contest this season.
Nick Saban's squad is rolling right now, and home-field advantage gives all the more reason to expect one less undefeated squad heading into Week 13.
Prediction: Alabama 30, Mississippi State 23
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
