College Football Playoff Rankings 2014: Top 25 NCAA Standings for Week 12
Mississippi State leads the pack in the College Football Playoff Rankings heading into Week 12. While that wasn't a shock, there were a few surprises, as one-loss Oregon moved past unbeaten Florida State and TCU slid by Alabama.
Above all else, it shows the playoff committee isn't sticking with the typical ranking standards. A team doesn't have to lose to be leapfrogged. On the surface, it appears they are taking a fresh look at the landscape each week, which adds a little more intrigue to the process.
With several big games on the schedule this week, the complexion of the rankings is surely going to change again. Before that happens, let's check out where the Top 25 stand right now followed by a look at the key games on the Week 12 slate.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
College Football Playoff Rankings
| 1 | Mississippi State | 9-0 |
| 2 | Oregon | 9-1 |
| 3 | Florida State | 9-0 |
| 4 | TCU | 8-1 |
| 5 | Alabama | 8-1 |
| 6 | Arizona State | 8-1 |
| 7 | Baylor | 8-1 |
| 8 | Ohio State | 8-1 |
| 9 | Auburn | 7-2 |
| 10 | Ole Miss | 8-2 |
| 11 | UCLA | 8-2 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 7-2 |
| 13 | Kansas State | 7-2 |
| 14 | Arizona | 7-2 |
| 15 | Georgia | 7-2 |
| 16 | Nebraska | 8-1 |
| 17 | LSU | 7-3 |
| 18 | Notre Dame | 7-2 |
| 19 | Clemson | 7-2 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 7-2 |
| 21 | Duke | 8-1 |
| 22 | Georgia Tech | 8-2 |
| 23 | Utah | 6-3 |
| 24 | Texas A&M | 7-3 |
| 25 | Minnesota | 7-2 |
Week 12's Key Games
No. 1 Mississippi State at No. 5 Alabama
If Alabama feels snubbed after being left out of the top four, Saturday afternoon would be a perfect time to let out that frustration. A victory over the nation's top-ranked team would leave the committee no choice but to move the Tide into a playoff spot and potentially even make them the new No. 1.
While the goal for Mississippi State is obviously to win and firmly secure its ranking, there would be intrigue ahead of the next release should the Bulldogs lose. The SEC Network passed along a question from Paul Finebaum which many people are probably asking:
Say the Bulldogs lose a game that goes down to the final possession. That's a strong showing on the road against a national title contender. Do they then fall in behind Alabama at No. 2 or slide out of a playoff spot altogether? It's a mystery without committee decisions from years past to decipher.
The game also takes on a high level of importance for the teams on the outside looking in. Again, it's a question as to whether they should root for ranking chaos (an Alabama win) or stability (Mississippi State remaining on top while potentially knocking the Tide out of the picture).
Ultimately, the new format is causing teams to prove themselves on weekly basis. This is a golden opportunity for both sides to do exactly that. When the dust finally settles, everybody should have at least a slightly better grasp on what to expect from the committee the rest of the way.
No. 3 Florida State at Miami (FL)
Florida State's fall to third was more symbolic than anything else. It would still be in the same playoff matchup (No. 2 vs. No. 3), but it does show that the committee is different in that regard. In the past, the Seminoles would have remained safely near the top as long as they remained unbeaten.
Now, with the Seminoles not having another game against a ranked opponent during the regular season and all the other high-profile games elsewhere, the drop sends a message. They have to start playing a more dominant brand of football after some close calls against lesser teams.
Next up is a tricky rest against their rivals from Miami. After a sluggish start, the talented Hurricanes have won their last three games by an average of 24 points. It's the type of progress the coaching staff has been waiting for and makes for a much trickier test for the No. 3 team than it looked a month ago.
Florida State doesn't just need a win; it needs to make a statement. With the aforementioned possibility of both Alabama and Mississippi State in the top four along with the committee showing respect for Oregon and TCU, the onus is on the Seminoles to show they belong among the elite.
If Miami pulls off the upset, Florida State could take quite a tumble. If the rivalry wasn't motivation enough for the Hurricanes, having a chance to knock the Seminoles down the playoff standings should provide another boost.
No. 9 Auburn at No. 15 Georgia
Both of these teams understand they are likely going to need multiple things to fall their way in order to climb into the top four. That said, these types of marquee wins are exactly what it takes to capture the attention of the committee.
The good news for Georgia is that it gets Todd Gurley back for the marquee clash. Nick Chubb filled in admirably, but the returning back is a more explosive playmaker. The program passed along comments from head coach Mark Richt, who quickly cleared up any questions:
This game also represents the new breed of elimination games. The winner will receive a major boost heading into the final stretch, while the loser won't have enough time to make up ground. So there's a lot on the line even though the Bulldogs are a bit off the championship radar right now.
For Auburn, an Iron Bowl matchup with Alabama looms in the regular-season finale. So if the Tigers can go on the road to beat Georgia and then do the same to the Tide, they should have a very good chance of getting back into the playoff group.
Georgia's road is a little more complicated. The Bulldogs would need more outside factors to fall their way, but a win on Saturday brings them back into the mix.
With several teams in the same boat, the playoff system is doing its job, at least so far.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
