College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 11
The start of November lived up to its billing, giving us the most impactful weekend of games to this point in the 2015 season. This included five of 11 unbeaten teams going down as well as several other notable teams falling, thus affecting their chances at a division or conference title as well as a shot at the College Football Playoff.
Those teams and many more have moved around quite a bit in the Bleacher Report power rankings.
Bleacher Report's power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly Top 25, the Associated Press Top 25, the Amway Coaches Poll, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and the author's personal rankings for every FBS school. The top 50 teams are broken down individually, while the rest of the 128 FBS teams are summarized in a few easy-to-digest chunks.
Check out where everyone ranks after the first week of November, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
New Mexico reached five wins for the first time since 2007 and in the process kept itself in the hunt for the Mountain West's Mountain Division title with a 14-13 home win over Utah State. The Lobos visit Boise State this weekend with first place in the division on the line.
Elsewhere in the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico State won its second consecutive game after losing 17 in a row, pulling out a 31-21 win at Texas State.
- 128. Charlotte 49ers (2-7, 0-6 Conference USA)
- 127. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-9, 0-6 Mid-American)
- 126. North Texas Mean Green (1-8, 1-5 Conference USA)
- 125. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (2-8, 1-5 Mid-American)
- 124. New Mexico State Aggies (2-7, 2-3 Sun Belt)
- 123. Wyoming Cowboys (1-9, 1-5 Mountain West)
- 121. (tie) UTSA Roadrunners (1-8, 1-4 Conference USA)
- 121. (tie) Georgia State Panthers (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt)
- 119. (tie) Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-8, 0-5 Sun Belt)
- 119. (tie) Kansas Jayhawks (0-9, 0-6 Big 12)
- 118. Old Dominion Monarchs (4-5, 2-3 Conference USA)
- 117. Idaho Vandals (3-6, 2-4 Sun Belt)
- 116. UCF Knights (0-10, 0-6 American)
- 114. (tie) Texas State Bobcats (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt)
- 114. (tie) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2-8, 0-6 Mountain West)
- 113. Massachusetts Minutemen (1-8, 0-5 Mid-American)
- 112. UTEP Miners (4-5, 2-3 Conference USA)
- 110. (tie) Kent State Golden Flashes (3-6, 2-3 Mid-American)
- 110. (tie) Army Black Knights (2-7)
- 109. Florida Atlantic Owls (2-7, 2-4 Conference USA)
- 108. Fresno State Bulldogs (2-7, 1-5 Mountain West)
- 107. Tulane Green Wave (2-7, 1-5 American)
- 106. SMU Mustangs (1-8, 0-5 American)
- 105. Ball State Cardinals (3-7, 2-4 Mid-American)
- 104. South Alabama Jaguars (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt)
- 102. (tie) UNLV Runnin' Rebels (3-6, 2-3 Mountain West)
- 102. (tie) Rice Owls (4-5, 2-3 Conference USA)
- 101. Troy Trojans (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt)
- 100. New Mexico Lobos (5-4, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 99. Florida Int'l Golden Panthers (5-5, 3-3 Conference USA)
- 98. Purdue Boilermakers (2-7, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 95. (tie) Oregon State Beavers (2-7, 0-6 Pac-12)
- 95. (tie) Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (4-4, 3-1 Sun Belt)
- 95. (tie) Akron Zips (4-5, 2-3 Mid-American)
- 94. Ohio Bobcats (5-4, 2-3 Mid-American)
- 93. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-6, 1-5 ACC)
- 92. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-6, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 91. Boston College Eagles (3-7, 0-7 ACC)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
Arkansas State put itself in position to win the Sun Belt with a 40-27 win at Appalachian State on Thursday in a battle of the league's last two unbeaten teams. The Red Wolves' remaining games are against the bottom three teams in the conference, who have a combined record of 2-11 in Sun Belt play.
- 87. (tie) Syracuse Orange (3-6, 1-4 ACC)
- 87. (tie) San Jose State Spartans (4-5, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 87. (tie) Nevada Wolf Pack (5-4, 3-2 Mountain West)
- 87. (tie) Buffalo Bulls (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American)
- 86. Colorado State (4-5, 2-3 Mountain West)
- 85. East Carolina (4-6, 2-4 American)
- 84. Maryland Terrapins (2-7, 0-5 Big Ten)
- 83. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-4, 2-3 American)
- 82. Connecticut Huskies (5-5, 3-3 American)
- 81. Colorado Buffaloes (4-6, 1-5 Pac-12)
- 80. Vanderbilt Commodores (3-6, 1-4 SEC)
- 79. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (4-5, 3-2 Conference USA)
- 78. Iowa State Cyclones (3-6, 2-4 Big 12)
- 77. Indiana Hoosiers (4-5, 0-5 Big Ten)
- 75. (tie) Virginia Cavaliers (3-6, 2-3 ACC)
- 75. (tie) Kentucky Wildcats (4-5, 2-5 SEC)
- 73. (tie) Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA)
- 73. (tie) South Florida Bulls (5-4, 3-2 American)
- 72. Central Michigan Chippewas (5-4, 4-1 Mid-American)
- 71. Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-4 Big Ten)
- 70. Marshall Thundering Herd (8-2, 5-1 Conference USA)
- 69. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-6, 1-6 SEC)
- 68. Arkansas State Red Wolves (6-3, 5-0 Sun Belt)
- 67. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten)
- 66. Arizona Wildcats (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12)
- 65. Air Force Falcons (6-3, 4-1 Mountain West)
- 64. Missouri Tigers (4-5, 1-5 SEC)
- 63. Western Michigan Broncos (6-3, 5-0 Mid-American)
- 62. Utah State Aggies (5-4, 4-2 Mountain West)
- 61. Nebraska (4-6, 2-4 Big Ten)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
Northern Illinois still has some work to do, but after coming from behind to win at Toledo last Tuesday, it remains in contention for a sixth consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division title. The Huskies are in a three-way tie for second place behind Western Michigan, whom they host on Nov. 18.
- 60. Georgia Southern Eagles (6-2, 4-1 Sun Belt)
- 59. Kansas State Wildcats (3-5, 0-5 Big 12)
- 57. (tie) Texas Longhorns (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)
- 57. (tie) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-6, 1-5 ACC)
- 56. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-5, 2-5 Big 12)
- 55. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
- 54. Cincinnati Bearcats (5-4, 2-3 American)
- 53. Northern Illinois Huskies (6-3, 4-1 Mid-American)
- 52. Arizona State Sun Devils (4-5, 2-4 Pac-12)
- 51. Appalachian State Mountaineers (7-2, 4-1 Sun Belt)
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49. (tie) Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
4 of 53
Average rating: 48.0
Week 10 result: Won 27-21 vs. Virginia
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at North Carolina
Miami (6-3, 3-2 ACC) rallied in the second half to win its second straight game under interim coach Larry Scott, locking up bowl eligibility and remaining in contention for the Coastal Division title despite a season that saw coach Al Golden fired following a 58-0 home loss to Clemson.
Brad Kaaya, who had missed the Hurricanes' controversy-filled win at Duke with a concussion, threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
49. (tie) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
5 of 53
Average rating: 48.0
Week 10 result: Won 56-13 vs. North Texas
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Louisiana Tech (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA) has won three in a row and six of seven, topping 30 points for the eighth time this season thanks to six rushing touchdowns from senior Kenneth Dixon.
Dixon, who ran for 195 yards, has scored 20 total TDs this season. He has 81 for his career, two behind all-time FBS leader Montee Ball of Wisconsin from 2009-12.
48. San Diego State Aztecs
6 of 53
Average rating: 47.5
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Wyoming
San Diego State (6-3, 5-0 Mountain West) has won five in a row and can clinch the West Division title with a victory and a loss by Nevada on Saturday. The Aztecs were co-Mountain West champs in 2012, but their last outright title came in 1986 in the Western Athletic Conference.
The win streak has been paced by the running of junior Donnel Pumphrey, who averages 114.56 rushing yards per game and has averaged 145.2 yards over the past five games with nine touchdowns.
47. North Carolina State Wolfpack
7 of 53
Average rating: 46.5
Week 10 result: Won 24-8 at Boston College
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Florida State
North Carolina State (6-3, 2-3 ACC) is now 4-1 on the road this season after winning at last-place Boston College, giving up just 285 yards a week after yielding 623 yards and 56 points at home to Clemson.
The Wolfpack are ninth nationally in total defense and may need to rely on that side of the ball more now that they no longer have leading rusher Matt Dayes. He suffered a foot injury in the first half against Clemson and has been ruled out for the year.
46. California Golden Bears
8 of 53
Average rating: 44.5
Week 10 result: Lost 44-28 at Oregon
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Oregon State
California (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12) has lost four in a row after a 5-0 start, and based on how things have gone, it might need to win Saturday's game in order to secure its first bowl bid since 2011.
The Golden Bears defense has fallen apart during the skid, punctuated by allowing 777 yards at Oregon that included 477 on the ground. They've forced 24 turnovers this season but just six during the losing streak.
45. Duke Blue Devils
9 of 53
Average rating: 44.0
Week 10 result: Lost 66-31 at North Carolina
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Pittsburgh
Duke (6-3, 3-2 ACC) lost on a blown call a week ago, but there was no single play that resulted in its most lopsided defeat since the 2013 ACC title game.
The Blue Devils allowed 704 yards after giving up 295 per game coming in, and the 66 points yielded were the most against them since 1995.
44. Washington Huskies
10 of 53
Average rating: 42.5
Week 10 result: Lost 34-23 vs. Utah
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Arizona State
Washington (4-5, 2-4 Pac-12) has dropped three of four and now plays two straight on the road, needing to win at least one of those to remain in contention for a sixth straight year of bowl eligibility.
The Huskies are 1-2 on the road—the win coming at USC—and have averaged 14.7 points and 236.3 yards in those games. For the season they rank 103rd in total offense.
42. (tie) West Virginia Mountaineers
11 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 10 result: Won 31-26 vs. Texas Tech
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Texas
West Virginia (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) ended a four-game losing streak, all of which came to the conference's top teams, and with the remainder of its schedule against the bottom half of the league, a 13th bowl bid in the last 14 seasons is still in play.
The Mountaineers ran for 300 yards against Texas Tech, averaging 5.26 yards per carry with four touchdowns, but the pass game failed to top 200 yards for the fourth time in the past five games. Skyler Howard is completing only 49.4 percent of his throws in Big 12 play.
42. (tie) Pittsburgh Panthers
12 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 10 result: Lost 42-30 vs. Notre Dame
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Duke
Pittsburgh (6-3, 4-1 ACC) has lost two in a row after an impressive start to the season, but the rise in quality of opponent has exposed the Panthers. Their losses have come to unbeaten Iowa and a pair of one-loss teams, while their six wins are against an FCS team and five FBS schools who have won a combined 17 games.
Though it scored 30 for just the second time this year against an FBS opponent, the Panthers offense has been sluggish all season. It has only topped 400 yards three times, and its 104 plays of 10 or more yards are tied for 111th nationally.
41. Louisville Cardinals
13 of 53
Average rating: 39.5
Week 10 result: Won 41-17 vs. Syracuse
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Virginia
Louisville (5-4, 4-2 ACC) has won three in a row and five of six thanks to a defense that has held six of the last seven opponents to 20 or fewer points. The exception in that stretch was a 41-17 loss at Florida State.
The Cardinals are 15th nationally in total defense, allowing 4.62 yards per play and 306.7 yards per game.
40. Bowling Green Falcons
14 of 53
Average rating: 38.17
Week 10 result: Won 62-24 vs. Ohio Bobcats
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 11 at Western Michigan
Bowling Green (7-2, 5-0 Mid-American) is riding a six-game win streak, its best since 2012, and one more victory will earn it a third straight trip to the conference title game in Detroit.
The Falcons have scored at least 30 points in all but one game this season, averaging 45.7 during the win streak, with quarterback Matt Johnson leading the charge. He has thrown for 3,686 yards and 33 touchdowns with only three interceptions on 380 pass attempts.
39. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.63
Week 10 result: Won 35-19 vs. Florida Atlantic
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Western Kentucky (8-2, 6-0 Conference USA) has matched its most wins in any season since moving to FBS in 2007 and is riding a nine-game win streak against league opponents. Combined with a loss by Marshall, the Hilltoppers are alone in first place in the East Division.
The nation's fourth-best offense in terms of yards per play, at 7.34, has been led all year by sixth-year senior quarterback Brandon Doughty. He leads FBS with 34 touchdowns, giving him 83 in the past two seasons, and he currently sits 40th in FBS history with 11,383 passing yards and tied for 25th with 97 career TD passes.
38. Auburn Tigers
16 of 53
Average rating: 36.67
Week 10 result: Won 26-10 at Texas A&M
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Georgia
Auburn (5-4, 2-4 SEC) ended a two-game win streak with its best defensive performance of the season, suddenly making what seemed like year headed for a below-.500 finish far more promising.
The Tigers recorded season lows in total yards allowed (303) and yards per play (4.15) while intercepting three passes. This was combined with efficient quarterback play from Jeremy Johnson, starting for the first time since Sept. 19, as well as 159 rushing yards from junior Jovon Robinson.
37. Washington State Cougars
17 of 53
Average rating: 36.6
Week 10 result: Won 38-24 vs. Arizona State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at UCLA
Washington State (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12) secured bowl eligibility for the second time in three years by dominating the fourth quarter en route to its first win over Arizona State in four years. The Cougars' four conference wins are their most since 2006.
Luke Falk threw for 497 yards and five touchdowns to move into first place in the country in passing yards per game at 415.1. In Pac-12 games he averages 446 yards with 25 touchdowns.
36. Arkansas Razorbacks
18 of 53
Average rating: 36.17
Week 10 result: Won 53-52 (in OT) vs. Ole Miss
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at LSU
Arkansas (5-4, 3-2 SEC) has suddenly become an offensive juggernaut, averaging 56.7 points per game during a three-game win streak after scoring 19 per game during a 1-4 stretch that made returning to a bowl game seem unlikely.
Now the Razorbacks need one more win over their final three, and their last two are at home, including against struggling Missouri.
Quarterback Brandon Allen threw for 442 yards with six touchdown in the overtime win over Ole Miss, both career highs. He's already topped last year's yardage and passing TD totals, with 2,476 yards and 21 TDs.
35. Toledo Rockets
19 of 53
Average rating: 35.1
Week 10 result: Lost 32-27 vs. Northern Illinois
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 10 at Central Michigan
Toledo (7-1, 4-1 Mid-American) saw its 10-game win streak come to an end just hours after landing in the first playoff rankings, and now the Rockets are in a battle to stay in the hunt for the West Division title with three other schools.
The Rockets scored 17 points in the first quarter, but three turnovers kept them from being able to hang on to a lead and beat five-time division champ Northern Illinois for the first time since 2009. A win at Central Michigan, which leads the West, would create a tie atop the standings.
34. Penn State Nittany Lions
20 of 53
Average rating: 35.0
Week 10 result: Lost 23-21 at Northwestern
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Penn State (7-3, 4-2 Big Ten) is now 2-3 against teams with winning records this season, its victories coming in September against Buffalo and San Diego State. The Nittany Lions' losses have come to opponents who are a combined 24-3.
The Lions will need to use the week off to work on handling tougher opponents, since their final two games are against Michigan and Michigan State.
Christian Hackenberg topped 200 passing yards for the third straight week, but he was intercepted for the first time since Sept. 19.
33. Texas A&M Aggies
21 of 53
Average rating: 34.8
Week 10 result: Lost 26-10 vs. Auburn
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Western Carolina
Texas A&M (6-3, 3-3 SEC) lost for the third time in four games, scoring 36 total points in those defeats after averaging 39.2 per game during a 5-0 start.
Turnovers have been a major contributor to the Aggies' slide, as they've given the ball away 16 times this season, including 10 in their losses. Kyler Murray was intercepted three times by Auburn while throwing for 105 yards.
32. Georgia Bulldogs
22 of 53
Average rating: 31.5
Week 10 result: Won 27-3 vs. Kentucky
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Auburn
Georgia (6-3, 4-3 SEC) pushed aside a week of rumors about the future of coach Mark Richt and his staff to register a necessary victory that ensured the Bulldogs would be getting a bowl invite for the 19th year in a row.
The Bulldogs had averaged 13.3 points during their previous four games, 31 of that coming in one game, but a 300-yard rushing performance led by 165 yards and a touchdown from Sony Michel paced the offense. The quarterback position remains an issue, though, as Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey combined for just 90 passing yards.
31. BYU Cougars
23 of 53
Average rating: 30.6
Week 10 result: Won 17-16 at San Jose State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Missouri (in Kansas City)
BYU (7-2) won its fifth straight game by stopping a two-point conversion in the final minute to top San Jose State on the road and reach seven wins for the 10th consecutive season.
The Cougars won despite a season-low 36 rushing yards, and the 17 points were the fewest they had scored in a win since 2012.
30. Boise State Broncos
24 of 53
Average rating: 29.1
Week 10 result: Bye
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. New Mexico
Boise State (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West) moved up in the standings despite not playing, as Utah State's loss to New Mexico knocked it out of first place in the Mountain Division, where the Broncos and Air Force remain. Wins over the next two weekends would give Boise State a second consecutive division title.
29. Oregon Ducks
25 of 53
Average rating: 29.0
Week 10 result: Won 44-28 vs. California
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Stanford
Oregon (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12) has pulled its season out of the muck with three straight wins and can still repeat as North Division champions if it can win out. With the offense they've had the last three games, the Ducks are very capable of making that happen.
They are coming off a school-record 777 yards against California a week after scoring 61 points in a triple-overtime victory at Arizona State. The Ducks ran for 477 yards against Cal, their third 400-yard rushing day of the season, and at 305 yards per game they rank fifth in FBS in rushing offense.
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., no longer hampered by a broken finger on his throwing hand, has 887 passing yards and 10 TDs in the past three games.
28. Tennessee Volunteers
26 of 53
Average rating: 28.17
Week 10 result: Won 27-24 vs. South Carolina
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. North Texas
Tennessee (5-4, 3-3 SEC) forced a fumble with 32 seconds left to secure its first two-game win streak of the season, and with its remaining opponents all currently owning sub-.500 records, the stage is set for the program's most regular-season wins since 2007.
The Volunteers' last three foes are a combined 8-19. Only South Carolina currently has a losing record (3-6) among the teams they've already played this year.
27. Northwestern Wildcats
27 of 53
Average rating: 27.2
Week 10 result: Won 23-21 vs. Penn State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Purdue
Northwestern (7-2, 3-2 Big Ten) has won its past two games by two points each, the latest on a 35-yard field goal from Jack Mitchell with nine seconds left. After getting outscored 78-10 during a two-game losing streak, the Wildcats have responded with efficient offense during these latest victories.
Though still ranked 114th overall in total offense, they've averaged better than five yards per play the past two games after doing so only twice beforehand.
Justin Jackson, who ran for a career-high 186 yards against Penn State, had 95 yards on 36 carries in Northwestern's previous three games.
26. Memphis Tigers
28 of 53
Average rating: 26.8
Week 10 result: Lost 45-20 vs. Navy
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Houston
Memphis (8-1, 4-1 American) lost for the first time since October 2014, and now its hope of a major bowl bid might have gone away. The Tigers are also no longer in the lead in their division, now trailing Navy and Houston by a game.
Memphis was unable to stop the run, giving up 374 rushing yards to Navy's option attack, and now it'll be facing one of the top mobile quarterbacks in the country in Houston's Greg Ward Jr. It's allowed 40 or more points four times this season.
The 438 yards the Tigers gained against Navy were their second-fewest of the season, while the 20 points were a season low.
25. Ole Miss Rebels
29 of 53
Average rating: 26.0
Week 10 result: Lost 53-52 (in OT) at Arkansas
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Ole Miss (7-3, 4-2 SEC) dropped to third place in the West Division after losing a wild one at home after being unable to stop a 4th-and-25 play that involved a freak lateral and then giving up a two-point conversion. Those two plays summed up how crazy the Rebels' season has been, one that includes a win at Alabama but three losses since then.
The Rebels have forced 17 turnovers this year but only one in their three losses, and as a result, they allowed six yards per play in those games compared to 4.73 for the season.
24. Temple Owls
30 of 53
Average rating: 24.0
Week 10 result: Won 60-40 at SMU
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at South Florida
Temple (8-1, 5-0 American) can clinch the East Division with a win this weekend, which would mark its first division title of any kind since sharing the Mid-American East crown in 2009.
The Owls have relied on defense throughout the year but needed to put up their most points in three years to win at SMU. They had 536 yards in that victory, nearly 200 yards above their average.
23. Navy Midshipmen
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.4
Week 10 result: Won 45-20 at Memphis
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. SMU
Navy (7-1, 5-0 American) has got to be liking this whole “be a part of a conference thing” since it's yet to lose a game in league play. And with the impressive victory at previously unbeaten Memphis, the Midshipmen have now thrown themselves into the picture for the "Group of Five" spot in a major bowl game.
Though they'd prearranged to play in the Military Bowl, if they end up winning the American and end up as the highest-ranked non-power team in the final playoff rankings, they'd get to play in a more prestigious game. However, the Midshipmen don't play their final game until Dec. 12 against Army, a week after they would have played in the AAC title game.
“If Navy is the AAC champion and in the mix for the Group of Five berth to the [New Year's Six], and the outcome of the Army/Navy game could impact Navy’s selection as the Group of Five representative or its place in the playoff, the pairings would be delayed only to the extent necessary,” College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said, per ESPN's Heather Dinich.
Before that will come into play, though, Navy has to win the West Division. Currently it's tied with Houston, who it visits on Nov. 27.
22. USC Trojans
32 of 53
Average rating: 23.2
Week 10 result: Won 38-30 vs. Arizona
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 13 at Colorado
USC (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12) has won its past three games under interim coach Clay Helton, scoring 35.7 points per game in that stretch, and a renewed devotion to the run game has sparked this rise.
The Trojans, who average 174.4 rushing yards per game for the season, have gone for 530 yards the past three games with nine of their 20 rushing scores, and all three games have seen them register at least 40 carries after not having topped 39 in the first six games.
Quarterback Cody Kessler remains integral to the offense, though, with 20 TD passes and a 69.3 percent completion rate, and he's gone three straight games without throwing an interception.
21. Wisconsin Badgers
33 of 53
Average rating: 22.2
Week 10 result: Won 31-24 at Maryland
Week 11 matchup: Bye
Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) has won five in a row but probably will finish no better than second in the West Division by virtue of its 10-6 home loss to Iowa on Oct. 3. Since then the Badgers have averaged 30 points per game, though last time out they allowed 20-plus points for only the third time in 2015.
The Badgers rank second in FBS in scoring defense at 12.3 points allowed per game, with Tanner McEvoy recording two of his four interceptions this year last week. According to Bleacher Report's Bryan Fischer, the former quarterback and receiver now has five career interceptions, five career touchdown catches and has been picked off five times as a passer.
20. UCLA Bruins
34 of 53
Average rating: 20.6
Week 10 result: Won 41-0 at Oregon State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Washington State
UCLA (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) has moved past the shaky middle to its season by winning three straight, the most recent its first shutout since 2007 and first on the road since 1987.
The Bruins control their own destiny in the South Division, as they would take the top spot if they won out, since that would include a victory in two weeks at first-place Utah. They're 3-1 on the road this season, the only loss coming at Stanford.
Quarterback Josh Rosen had his fourth 300-yard game of the season and third straight without an interception.
19. Mississippi State Bulldogs
35 of 53
Average rating: 20.4
Week 10 result: Won 31-13 at Missouri
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Alabama
Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2 SEC) has been the forgotten member of the West Division despite riding a four-game win streak, the latest coming during heavy rain on Thursday. But the Bulldogs managed 31 points and 430 yards against one of the stingiest defenses in the country, and they still get to play Alabama and Ole Miss at home.
The Bulldogs have averaged 40.8 points per game during their win streak, with quarterback Dak Prescott handling most of that production. He topped 10,000 yards of total offense and 100 total touchdowns for his career last time out, and he's accounting for 307.7 yards per game.
No other MSU player contributes more than 57.7 yards per game, and Prescott has been responsible for 25 of the team's 36 offensive TDs.
18. Florida State Seminoles
36 of 53
Average rating: 18.6
Week 10 result: Lost 23-13 at Clemson
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. North Carolina State
Florida State (7-2, 5-2 ACC) has now lost two of three league games after winning 28 in a row, putting an end to its ACC dominance and officially making this a down year.
The Seminoles were held below 20 points for the third time this season despite 194 rushing yards from Dalvin Cook. He got 75 of those on his first carry for a quick 7-0 lead, but after that, FSU managed only two field goals as Sean Maguire struggled in his second start at quarterback for the injured Everett Golson.
FSU hadn't lost two ACC games in one season since 2011.
17. Houston Cougars
37 of 53
Average rating: 17.8
Week 10 result: Won 33-30 vs. Cincinnati
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Memphis
Houston (9-0, 5-0 American) is the only unbeaten team left from the league, but it still has a lot of work to do in order to secure the Group of Five's bid to a New Year's bowl game. Home games with one-loss teams Memphis and Navy are still to come for the nation's only perfect team from outside of the power conferences.
The Cougars have the No. 10 offense in the country, at 525.1 yards per game, and score 44.4 points per game, thanks to the combination of junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and senior running back Kenneth Farrow. The pair has combined for 1,686 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, with Ward also throwing 13 TD passes while completing 70.4 percent of his throws.
Houston leads FBS with a plus-16 turnover ratio aided by a national-best 25 takeaways.
16. North Carolina Tar Heels
38 of 53
Average rating: 17.6
Week 10 result: Won 66-31 vs. Duke
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Miami (Florida)
North Carolina (8-1, 5-0 ACC) has won eight consecutive games, its longest win streak since 1996-97, and after taking down its top two challengers in the Coastal Division, it's very close to earning its first spot in the ACC title game.
The Tar Heels gained 704 yards, third most in school history, behind a school-record 494 passing yards and four touchdowns from quarterback Marquise Williams. The senior also ran for a TD and now has 9,078 yards of total offense in his career, just 551 behind Darian Durant for the all-time UNC mark.
Elijah Hood scored three rushing TDs, giving him 11 on just 137 carries. He and Williams have paced a run attack that averages 205.3 yards per game.
15. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 15.4
Week 10 result: Lost 39-38 at Nebraska
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Maryland
Michigan State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) fell victim to a last-second officiating mistake when Nebraska's Brandon Reilly caught a 35-yard touchdown pass despite having gone out of bounds without being pushed out. But while that play led to the final score, it wasn't the main reason the Spartans had their 12-game win streak come to an end.
MSU allowed season highs in points and yards (499), giving up more than 300 yards through the air for the fourth time this year. It gave up 19 fourth-quarter points, including 13 in the final 1:47, and the 50 plays of 20 or more yards allowed in 2015 are tied for 101st nationally.
Lost in the setback was another strong game from quarterback Connor Cook, who has thrown for 1,428 yards and 11 touchdowns in the past four games.
14. Michigan Wolverines
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Average rating: 14.4
Week 10 result: Won 49-16 vs. Rutgers
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Indiana
Michigan (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) had its first stress-free finish to a game since Oct. 10, scoring 35 first-half points to cruise past Rutgers en route to its highest-scoring game of the season.
The Wolverines' previous two games had come down to the final play, losing at home to Michigan State on a freak botched punt and then winning at Minnesota after making a goal-line stand as time expired.
Michigan got 337 passing yards from Jake Rudock, the most by a Wolverines quarterback since Devin Gardner threw for 451 in the 2013 loss to Ohio State. They'd previously averaged 184 yards per game through the air.
13. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 12.2
Week 10 result: Won 34-23 at Washington
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Arizona
Utah (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) showed great mettle in its third road win of the season, handling tough conditions and a solid opponent to stay atop the South Division standings.
Devontae Booker ran for 150 yards and a touchdown, his sixth 100-yard game of the season. He ran for a season-low 62 yards in the Utes' loss last month at USC.
Booker remains the focus of Utah's offense, but quarterback Travis Wilson is integral as well. He had two rushing scores against Washington, giving him six this season.
Utah has a one-game lead on UCLA and USC in the South, with UCLA coming to Salt Lake City on Nov. 21.
12. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 11.6
Week 10 result: Won 9-7 vs. Vanderbilt
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at South Carolina
Florida (8-1, 6-1 SEC) secured its first East Division title since 2009 with the epitome of an ugly victory, needing a field goal in the final minutes to avoid an embarrassing upset.
The Gators only gained 258 yards, second-fewest this season, but other than a 75-yard touchdown run, they allowed just 1.64 yards per play. They rank sixth in total defense at 288.8 yards per game, 41 yards better than the unit from former head coach Will Muschamp's final team in 2014.
Florida gets a pair of tune-up games against teams with losing records before facing rival Florida State at the end of the regular season. With no unbeaten teams remaining in the SEC, winning out and claiming the conference title would likely land the Gators in the playoffs.
11. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 10.6
Week 10 result: Lost 49-29 at Oklahoma State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Kansas
TCU (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) had been playing with fire all season because of a rash of injuries that had thinned out its defense and made winning shootouts a necessity. But the loss of top receiver Josh Doctson proved to be the death blow to the Horned Frogs' unbeaten run.
Doctson injured his wrist late in the first half and didn't return. The Frogs were already trailing 28-9 at the time due to Oklahoma State having already scored three times on touchdown passes of 48 or more yards, but once Doctson left the game, they didn't have the go-to weapon Trevone Boykin has relied on so much this season.
Boykin still threw for 445 yards with a TD and added 73 rushing yards with two scores, his fourth 500-yard game this season, but he was also intercepted four times for the first time in his career.
TCU will no doubt drop from the No. 8 spot it held in the initial playoff rankings, and though it still gets to face Baylor and Oklahoma later this month, the chance of getting a semifinal bid became a lot less likely.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 9.8
Week 10 result: Won 52-16 vs. Iowa State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Baylor
Oklahoma (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) is done with the cupcakes on its league schedule, having faced the bottom six teams in the standings, but now will finish up against a trio of opponents that is 25-1. And despite already having lost once, the Sooners are still firmly in the playoff picture if they can win out.
“The Sooners put themselves in a hole with their inexplicable Texas loss, but they may also be the one team of the four (conference playoff contenders) that could make the playoff at 11-1 thanks in part to a nonconference win at Tennessee,” Fox Sports' Stewart Mandel wrote. “Mostly, though, it’s because unlike the other three, their loss would be a distant memory by Dec. 6.”
Riding a four-game win streak that has seen it average 58 points and 644.75 yards per game, Oklahoma has crushed its opponents early and kept the foot on the gas. Its defense has come to play too, sitting fifth nationally in yards allowed per play (4.27).
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has risen to ninth in total offense, averaging 337.4 yards per game, and he's accounted for 33 touchdowns.
9. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 9.4
Week 10 result: Lost 30-16 at Alabama
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Arkansas
LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC) ran into a wall, and it was called the Crimson Tide defense, thus dropping the Tigers out of first place in the West Division and negating much of the momentum they'd built up this season.
A season-low 182 yards included only 31 from star running back Leonard Fournette, who still leads FBS in rushing yards per game at 172.88, but his previous low in 2015 had been 150. He had one carry that went for more than 10 yards as he was unable to avoid or break free from the near-constant contact that Alabama made either in the backfield or right at the line of scrimmage.
Without Fournette able to carry the team, more was put on quarterback Brandon Harris than at any other point this season, and he failed to come through. The sophomore completed only six of 19 passes for 128 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Tigers defense, which came in allowing 3.25 yards per carry, gave up 250 yards on the ground, including 210 on 38 carries from Derrick Henry.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
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Average rating: 9.2
Week 10 result: Won 35-27 at Iowa
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Minnesota
Iowa (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) will be playing in its first conference title game if it keeps winning, and with a remaining slate of opponents who are a combined 10-18, that seems very possible. However, the Hawkeyes have to avoid being complacent, as they've struggled at times the last two weeks against teams with winning records.
The 236 rushing yards and four touchdowns that Akrum Wadley, LeShun Daniels Jr. and quarterback C.J. Beathard contributed at Indiana helped Iowa avoid a costly upset as it matched the best start in school history.
Iowa averages 412 yards per game, which ranks 56th in FBS. The other five unbeaten teams are all ranked 32nd or better.
7. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 7.2
Week 10 result: Won 42-10 at Colorado
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Oregon
Stanford (8-1, 7-0 Pac-12) has won eight in a row since its 16-6 loss at Northwestern to start the year, averaging 41 points per game in the process. The Cardinal are probably the conference's only hope to make the playoffs, but that would require winning out against a remaining slate of opponents with winning records.
First up is the matchup that would give them the North Division title and a third trip to the Pac-12 championship in four seasons. After that are home games with rival California and one-loss Notre Dame before the conference title game.
Kevin Hogan has won 32 games as a starting quarterback, surpassing Andrew Luck for the most in school history, and lately he's been showing off his ability to do damage with the run. He's gained 189 rushing yards with three touchdowns the past three games after going for 37 yards without a score in the Cardinal's first six contests.
Christian McCaffrey, who leads FBS with 241.6 all-purpose yards per game, has accounted for TDs via the run, the pass and as a passer after throwing a 28-yard strike at Colorado.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 6.4
Week 10 result: Won 42-30 at Pittsburgh
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Wake Forest
Notre Dame (8-1) weathered the loss of yet another offensive star to complete an impressive two-game road trip to Pennsylvania, and now come some easier opponents before the final game at Stanford.
The Fighting Irish's last five opponents are a combined 36-8 but the next two have three victories apiece. That should allow them to take it easy and hopefully avoid getting anyone else hurt.
Running back C.J. Prosise suffered a concussion early at Pittsburgh, and his condition will be monitored throughout the week. In his place the Irish got another player to step up, that being freshman Josh Adams, who had 147 yards on 20 carries after gaining just 66 yards in the previous four games.
DeShone Kizer continued his impressive play since replacing the injured Malik Zaire, throwing five touchdown passes and rushing for a score. He's accounted for 22 TDs in eight-plus games.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 6.0
Week 10 result: Won 49-29 vs. TCU
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Iowa State
Oklahoma State (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) was like the Ringo Starr of the conference's top four teams heading into November, but after soundly beating TCU, it is deserving of a much better status. The first opportunity for that will come in the next playoff rankings, where the Cowboys should rise significantly from their 14th-place spot last week.
The Cowboys scored on two long touchdown passes from Mason Rudolph to James Washington in the first quarter, the start of a trend that saw them score five times on plays of 40 or more yards. When they weren't doing that, their defense was hounding TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin, intercepting him four times after the senior had been picked off just five times in the first eight games.
OSU's defense had lost one of its top defensive linemen during the week in Jimmy Bean, but Emmanuel Ogbah and others stepped up to the tune of three sacks and six tackles for loss.
Now riding an 11-game win streak, OSU still gets to host Baylor and Oklahoma this month and thus will be right at the center of who wins the Big 12.
4. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 3.4
Week 10 result: Won 31-24 at Kansas State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 vs. Oklahoma
Baylor (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) narrowly passed its first November test and first game without Seth Russell at quarterback, though its defense might need to become more adept at making stops if the remainder of the month's challenges are going to be successful ones.
Freshman Jarrett Stidham was as good as anyone could have expected in his first career start, with 419 passing yards and three touchdowns along with a rushing score, though he had to take on more of the offense than Russell normally handled with Baylor's run game producing a season-low 103 yards. The Bears came in averaging 338.3 rushing yards per game.
Stidham took full advantage of top receiver Corey Coleman, who with 20 TD catches is within seven of the FBS season record with at least five games left.
The Baylor defense allowed 6.06 yards per play, including 258 rushing yards, and its next three opponents all average at least 211 yards per game on the ground.
2. (tie) Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 2.8
Week 10 result: Won 28-14 vs. Minnesota
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Illinois
Ohio State (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) fell back into the offensive funk it had at several times during the first half of the season without J.T. Barrett available because a one-game suspension following his arrest for operating a motor vehicle impaired on Oct. 31. The 28 points and 376 yards were both the lowest since Sept. 19, so it's not surprising that head coach Urban Meyer is going back to Barrett this week.
“It’s clear that the OSU offense is at its best with Barrett in the lineup,” Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod wrote. “In wins over Maryland, Penn State and Rutgers, which all came by double-digit point differentials, Barrett totaled 544 yards of offense and 12 touchdowns in what were arguably the defending national champion’s three most complete offensive performances of the 2015 season.”
Cardale Jones won his 11th game in as many starts and had 252 total yards with a passing TD and a rushing score, but the Buckeyes just click better with Barrett at quarterback.
2. (tie) Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 2.8
Week 10 result: Won 30-16 vs. LSU
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Mississippi State
Alabama (8-1, 5-1 SEC) has returned to its familiar place atop the West Division and, thanks to Ole Miss falling at Arkansas in overtime, no longer has to worry about that early loss getting in the way of a trip to the SEC title game for the fourth straight season.
“We’ve never counted ourselves out and now we’re back in control of our own destiny in the West,” Alabama linebacker Dillon Lee said, per Bleacher Report's Christoper Walsh.
But the Crimson Tide's dominant win over LSU meant more than just a boost in the standings and likely the playoff rankings. It also showed they remain the standard when it comes to punishing defense and being able to take an opponent's best weapon and render it obsolete.
Leonard Fournette had been unstoppable before Alabama held him to 31 yards and a late touchdown on 19 carries, something that seemed impossible heading into the game. The Tide now rank second in FBS against the run, allowing 75.78 yards per game.
Derrick Henry replaced Fournette as the SEC's most feared rusher, at least for one night, with a 210-yard, three-TD performance that will no doubt cause him to garner plenty of Heisman Trophy talk.
1. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 1.4
Week 10 result: Won 23-13 vs. Florida State
Week 11 matchup: Nov. 14 at Syracuse
Clemson (9-0, 6-0 ACC) moves to the top of our rankings, matching its spot in both major polls and where it entered the initial playoff standings and is likely to remain after knocking off its nemesis.
The Tigers are Atlantic Division champions for the first time since 2011, and now all that remains between now and the ACC title game is a trio of teams that is a combined 9-18.
“This is the best of times,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said, per Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel. “This is the good 'ol days.”
Clemson beat Florida State for the first time in four years by shaking off an early deficit for the second week in a row, relying on quarterback Deshaun Watson's 404 yards of total offense and a defense that slowed Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook down after a fast start.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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