College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 12
The 2015 college football season only has a few weeks left, during which time the playoff picture will clear up, and teams will either be preparing for a bowl game or having the offseason start earlier than hoped. So much can still happen between now and early December, and the results of the next few weeks will have a major impact on the rankings.
Not just the playoff ones and those that are part of media and coaches polls, but also 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 11 weeks of action, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
New Mexico became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007 after shocking Boise State 31-24 on the road on Saturday. The Lobos became just the fifth team in 16 years to win on Boise's blue turf, and the victory keeps them in contention to win the Mountain West's Mountain Division.
Two other teams in the bottom rung of FBS moved within a game of being bowl-eligible for the first time in a long while—or ever. Old Dominion, in its third season of FBS play, beat UTEP 31-21 and needs one more victory for its first-ever bowl bid, while Akron's 37-28 victory at Massachusetts has it a game away from being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2005.
- 128. Charlotte 49ers (2-8, 0-7 Conference USA)
- 127. Eastern Michigan Eagles 91-10, 0-7 Mid-American)
- 126. North Texas Mean Green (1-9, 1-6 Conference USA)
- 125. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (2-9, 1-6 Mid-American)
- 123. (tie) Wyoming Cowboys (1-10, 1-6 Mountain West)
- 123. (tie) Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-9, 0-6 Sun Belt)
- 122. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2-9, 0-7 Mountain West)
- 121. New Mexico State Aggies (2-7, 2-3 Sun Belt)
- 120. Texas State Bobcats (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt)
- 119. Idaho Vandals (3-7, 2-5 Sun Belt)
- 117. (tie) UTSA Roadrunners (2-8, 2-4 Conference USA)
- 117. (tie) UCF Knights (0-10, 0-6 American)
- 115. (tie) UTEP Miners (4-6, 2-4 Conference USA)
- 115. (tie) Kent State Golden Flashes (3-7, 2-4 Mid-American)
- 114. Army Black Knights (2-8)
- 113. Georgia State Panthers (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt)
- 112. Old Dominion Monarchs (5-5, 3-3 Conference USA)
- 111. Kansas Jayhawks (0-10, 0-7 Big 12)
- 109. (tie) Massachusetts Minutemen (2-8, 1-5 Mid-American)
- 109. (tie) Florida Atlantic Owls (2-8, 2-5 Conference USA)
- 108. SMU Mustangs (1-9, 0-6 American)
- 107. Tulane Green Wave (3-7, 1-5 American)
- 106. Rice Owls (4-6, 2-4 Conference USA)
- 105. Ball State Cardinals (3-7, 2-4 Mid-American)
- 104. Fresno State Bulldogs (3-7, 2-5 Mountain West)
- 102. (tie) UNLV Runnin' Rebels (3-7, 2-4 Mountain West)
- 102. (tie) Troy Trojans (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt)
- 101. South Alabama Jaguars (5-4, 3-2 Sun Belt)
- 99. (tie) Oregon State Beavers (2-8, 0-7 Pac-12)
- 99. (tie) Florida International Golden Panthers (5-6, 3-4 Conference USA)
- 98. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (4-5, 3-2 Sun Belt)
- 97. Purdue Boilermakers (2-8, 1-5 Big Ten)
- 95. (tie) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-7, 1-5 ACC)
- 95. (tie) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-7, 1-5 Big Ten)
- 94. Akron Zips (5-5, 3-3 Mid-American)
- 93. New Mexico Lobos (6-4, 4-2 Mountain West)
- 92. Buffalo Bulls (5-5, 3-3 Mid-American)
- 91. Maryland Terrapins (2-8, 0-6 Big Ten)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
Missouri scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat BYU, 20-16, in Kansas City on Saturday in the first game since longtime coach Gary Pinkel announced his retirement.
Pinkel, who has been with the Tigers since 2001, is stepping down at the end of the season to focus on his treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Elsewhere in the middle tier, South Florida upset Temple 44-23 to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2010. The Bulls are still alive for the American Athletic Conference's East Division title.
- 90. San Jose State Spartans (4-6, 3-3 Mountain West)
- 87. (tie) Ohio Bobcats (6-4, 3-3 Mid-American)
- 87. (tie) Colorado Buffaloes (4-7, 1-6 Pac-12)
- 87. (tie) Boston College Eagles (3-7, 0-7 ACC)
- 86. Syracuse Orange (3-7, 1-5 ACC)
- 85. East Carolina Pirates (4-6, 2-4 American)
- 84. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-5, 2-4 American)
- 83. Connecticut Huskies (5-5, 3-3 American)
- 82. Virginia Cavaliers (3-7, 2-4 ACC)
- 81. Nevada Wolf Pack (6-4, 4-2 Mountain West)
- 80. Colorado State Rams (5-5, 3-3 Mountain West)
- 79. Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 2-6 SEC)
- 78. Central Michigan Chippewas (5-5, 4-2 Mid-American)
- 75. (tie) Vanderbilt Commodores (4-6, 2-4 SEC)
- 75. (tie) South Carolina Gamecocks (3-7, 1-7 SEC)
- 75. (tie) Indiana Hoosiers (4-6, 0-6 Big Ten)
- 74. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (5-5, 4-2 Conference USA)
- 73. Iowa State Cyclones (3-7, 2-5 Big 12)
- 71. (tie) Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten)
- 71. (tie) Illinois Fighting Illini (5-5, 2-4 Big Ten)
- 69. (tie) Western Michigan Broncos (6-4, 5-1 Mid-American)
- 69. (tie) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-7, 1-6 ACC)
- 68. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA)
- 67. Utah State Aggies (5-5, 4-3 Mountain West)
- 66. South Florida Bulls (6-4, 4-2 American)
- 65. Kansas State Wildcats (3-6, 0-6 Big 12)
- 64. Texas Longhorns (4-6, 3-4 Big 12)
- 63. Georgia Southern Eagles (7-2, 5-1 Sun Belt)
- 62. Missouri Tigers (5-5, 1-5 SEC)
- 61. Miami (Florida) Hurricanes (6-4, 3-3 ACC)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
Backup quarterback Jerrard Randall threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Nate Phillips on the first play of the second overtime to give Arizona a 37-30 upset win over Utah on Saturday, clinching bowl eligibility. It was the Wildcats' third win in as many seasons against a Top 10 team.
- 60. Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-6, 3-4 Big Ten)
- 59. Marshall Thundering Herd (9-2, 6-1 Conference USA)
- 57. (tie) Northern Illinois Huskies (7-3, 5-1 Mid-American)
- 57. (tie) North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-4, 2-4 ACC)
- 56. Duke Blue Devils (6-4, 3-3 ACC)
- 55. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-4, 3-3 American)
- 54. Air Force Falcons (7-3, 5-1 Mountain West)
- 53. Arizona Wildcats (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)
- 52. Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-2, 5-1 Sun Belt)
- 51. Washington Huskies (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12)
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
50. Virginia Tech Hokies
4 of 53
Average rating: 50.5
Week 11 result: Won 23-21 at Georgia Tech
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. North Carolina
Virginia Tech (5-5, 3-3 ACC) has won two straight and is within one win of its 23rd consecutive season of bowl eligibility, which would make for a great sendoff for retiring coach Frank Beamer.
The Hokies are 3-2 on the road this season and just 2-3 at home, having lost nine of their last 12 at Lane Stadium against FBS opponents.
49. Arkansas State Red Wolves
5 of 53
Average rating: 49.25
Week 11 result: Won 59-21 at Louisiana-Monroe
Week 12 matchup: Bye
Arkansas State (7-3, 6-0 Sun Belt) has won six straight overall and seven in a row against league opponents, averaging 47 points per game during the win streak.
Quarterback Fredi Knighten has gained 295.7 yards of total offense per game over his last three contests, topping 300 passing yards for the first time last week.
48. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
6 of 53
Average rating: 49.0
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at UTEP
Louisiana Tech (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA) won its last three before the break by an average of 32.3 points, and the Bulldogs are in line to win the West Division for a second year in a row. All that stands between them and that goal is a regular-season finale against division co-leader Southern Mississippi.
Florida transfer Jeff Driskel is averaging 303.2 passing yards per game, while running back Kenneth Dixon has scored 20 touchdowns in 2015. That gives him 81 for his career, which are tied for second all-time and two behind former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball's 83 that he compiled from 2009-12.
47. Arizona State Sun Devils
7 of 53
Average rating: 48.0
Week 11 result: Won 27-17 vs. Washington
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Arizona State
Arizona State (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) ended a three-game losing streak by rallying from down 17-0, holding an opponent under 20 points since the third week of the season.
The Sun Devils had allowed scores on their opponents' last 21 trips to the red zone before Washington missed a field goal in the third quarter.
46. Texas Tech Red Raiders
8 of 53
Average rating: 47.0
Week 11 result: Won 59-44 vs. Kansas State
Week 12 matchup: Bye
Texas Tech (6-5, 3-5 Big 12) ended a three-game losing streak to become bowl-eligible, topping 50 points for the sixth time this season.
45. San Diego State Aztecs
9 of 53
Average rating: 44.0
Week 11 result: Won 38-3 vs. Wyoming
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at UNLV
San Diego State (7-3, 6-0 Mountain West) has won six consecutive games and eight straight in league play, needing one more victory to claim the West Division.
Junior running back Donnel Pumphrey has six consecutive 100-yard rushing games, giving him 20 such performances in his career.
44. BYU Cougars
10 of 53
Average rating: 43.83
Week 11 result: Lost 20-16 vs. Missouri (in Kansas City)
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Fresno State
BYU (7-3) had a five-game win streak snapped in a neutral-site game at Arrowhead Stadium that would have provided a major boost to the program's resume. Instead, the Cougars dropped to 1-3 this season against power-conference opponents.
The Cougars run game has disappeared the last two weeks, gaining only 82 yards during that span. Before that it had averaged 192 yards per game on the ground.
43. Auburn Tigers
11 of 53
Average rating: 42.67
Week 11 result: Lost 20-13 vs. Georgia
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Idaho
Auburn (5-5, 2-5 SEC) is going to qualify for a bowl game thanks to the presence of a Sun Belt team next up on the schedule, but overall this year is going to be considered a massive disappointment considering the amount of hype the Tigers received in the summer.
The 13 points against Georgia marked the third time this season Auburn didn't reach 20 compared to once in head coach Gus Malzahn's first two seasons. And while the Tigers defense has fared well the last two weeks, the 5.48 yards per play allowed in 2015 is only slightly better than last season.
42. Boise State Broncos
12 of 53
Average rating: 40.33
Week 11 result: Lost 31-24 vs. New Mexico
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 20 vs. Air Force
Boise State (7-3, 4-2 Mountain West) can attribute turnovers to why it likely won't win the Mountain Division after it gave the ball away four times in losing just its fifth home game in 16 years.
The Broncos had eight turnovers in their other league loss, last month at Utah State. They have just a plus-two turnover ratio despite being tied for second in FBS with 17 passes intercepted.
41. California Golden Bears
13 of 53
Average rating: 39.5
Week 11 result: Won 54-24 vs. Oregon State
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Stanford
California (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011 after ending a four-game losing streak thanks to its highest-scoring game since the season opener against FCS Grambling State.
Jared Goff had season highs of 453 passing yards and six touchdowns, and he is now seventh in the country at 332.4 yards per game. However, the junior's 13 interceptions are tied for third-most in FBS.
40. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
14 of 53
Average rating: 37.7
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Florida International
Western Kentucky (8-2, 6-0 Conference USA) has matched its highest win total since moving up to FBS in 2007, and victories the next two weekends will send the Hilltoppers to their first conference title game.
The No. 10 scoring offense in the country, averaging 41.8 points per game, has been paced by senior quarterback Brandon Doughty. Last year's FBS leader in passing yards and touchdowns is in the running for both honors again this season, with 3,590 yards and 34 TDs while completing a nation-leading 72.7 percent of his throws.
39. Temple Owls
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.5
Week 11 result: Lost 44-23 at South Florida
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Memphis
Temple (8-2, 5-1 American) has lost two of three since a 7-0 start, the latest setback putting in jeopardy its bid for the East Division title.
The Owls are still a game ahead of South Florida, but another loss could lead to a tie. Their defense, which had been a strength much of the season, has allowed 84 points the last two weeks.
38. Louisville Cardinals
16 of 53
Average rating: 37.33
Week 11 result: Won 38-31 vs. Virginia
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Pittsburgh
Louisville (6-4, 5-2 ACC) has won six of seven after an 0-3 start, though four of its last five wins have been by one score.
The Cardinals have allowed 246.3 yards per game during a four-game win streak, and they rank eighth in FBS in rushing defense at 3.06 yards allowed per carry.
37. West Virginia Mountaineers
17 of 53
Average rating: 37.0
Week 11 result: Won 38-20 vs. Texas
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Kansas
West Virginia (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) has won two in a row after a four-game losing streak, its run game fully taking over the offense the last two weeks.
The Mountaineers have gained 557 yards on the ground during the consecutive wins, with six touchdowns and a 5.16 yards-per-carry average. Wendell Smallwood has topped 100 yards in six of his last seven games, his 1,119 yards the most by a West Virginia player since Noel Devine ran for 1,465 yards in 2009.
36. Penn State Nittany Lions
18 of 53
Average rating: 35.0
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Michigan
Penn State (7-3, 4-2 Big Ten) can't win the East Division but can have a say in how it plays out by facing the Michigan schools over the final two weeks of the season. To succeed in those games it will need for its pass defense to remain as strong as it has throughout 2015.
The Nittany Lions allow 159 yards per game through the air, which is second-best in the country. Opponents have managed only seven touchdown passes on 158 attempts while getting sacked an FBS-high 42 times.
35. Texas A&M Aggies
19 of 53
Average rating: 34.9
Week 11 result: Won 41-17 vs. Western Carolina
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Vanderbilt
Texas A&M (7-3, 3-3 SEC) won for only the second time in its last five games since a 5-0 start, needing an FCS opponent to kick-start an offense that has sputtered the last month.
Kyler Murray had his first career three-touchdown game at quarterback, but the freshman also threw two interceptions and has been picked off five times in his two starts.
34. Pittsburgh Panthers
20 of 53
Average rating: 32.8
Week 11 result: Won 31-23 at Duke
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Louisville
Pittsburgh (7-3, 5-1 ACC) has its most regular-season wins since 2010 after ending a two-game losing streak. The Panthers are still alive for the Coastal Division title but will need to win out and have North Carolina lose twice.
Despite the strong record, Pittsburgh allows more yards per play (5.64) than it gains (5.59). It ranks second-to-last in FBS in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 23 of 24 trips inside the 20-yard line, though only 13 of those scores were touchdowns.
33. Toledo Rockets
21 of 53
Average rating: 32.6
Week 11 result: Won 28-23 at Central Michigan
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 17 at Bowling Green
Toledo (8-1, 5-1 Mid-American) is in a three-way tie for first place in the West Division with Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. The Rockets' only loss came at home to Northern Illinois, and it will host Western Michigan next week.
The Rockets have won at least eight games for a sixth straight season, matching a stretch from 2000-05.
32. Bowling Green Falcons
22 of 53
Average rating: 32.5
Week 11 result: Won 41-27 at Western Michigan
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 17 vs. Toledo
Bowling Green (8-2, 6-0 Mid-American) is headed to the conference title game for the third year in a row as East Division champion, and its seven-game win streak is its longest since 2004.
Matt Johnson leads the nation with 36 touchdown passes and is second at 395.5 passing yards per game. He hasn't had to throw as much the last two weeks with Travis Greene scoring three rushing TDs apiece in those games.
30. (tie) Memphis Tigers
23 of 53
Average rating: 29.5
Week 11 result: Lost 35-34 at Houston
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Temple
Memphis (8-2, 4-2 American) has lost two in a row after a 15-game win streak, the latest defeat coming after blowing a pair of 20-point leads. Two weeks after being the "Group of Five" favorite to land the group's bid to a New Year's Six bowl game, the Tigers are out of the running to even with their division.
Paxton Lynch threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, but he was also intercepted for just the third time this season and second time in as many games. Houston converted that takeaway into a TD during its rally from down 34-14 in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers have turned it over five times in their last two games after losing the ball only six times in the first eight contests of 2015.
30. (tie) Arkansas Razorbacks
24 of 53
Average rating: 29.5
Week 11 result: Won 31-14 at LSU
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Mississippi State
Arkansas (6-4, 4-2 SEC) is on a four-game win streak in which its offense has risen to levels far beyond what anyone could have expected outside of Fayetteville. Even those closest to the Razorbacks have to be shocked at how well they're moving the ball of late, averaging 50.3 points and 523.25 yards per game.
And with this run has come the return of cocky Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema, which is the best kind of Bret Bielema.
“I’m glad the score stayed 31-14 Saturday so people who didn’t watch the game knew it was a whooping,” Bielema said, per Arkansas sports radio host Bo Mattingly.
29. UCLA Bruins
25 of 53
Average rating: 29.2
Week 11 result: Lost 31-27 vs. Washington State
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Utah
UCLA (7-3, 4-3 Pac-12) is still in control of its destiny in the South Division despite losing at home for the second time this year and fifth in the last two seasons. Wins in the final two games against co-division leaders USC and Utah would put the Bruins into the Pac-12 final for the third time since 2011.
Thankfully, the Bruins' final two games are on the road, where they have won 10 of their last 11. Including bowl games and neutral-site matchups, UCLA has 13 of 14 away from the Rose Bowl.
28. Tennessee Volunteers
26 of 53
Average rating: 28.67
Week 11 result: Won 24-0 vs. North Texas
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Missouri
Tennessee (6-4, 3-3 SEC) locked up a second straight year of bowl eligibility with its first shutout of an FBS opponent in four years. The 199 yards the Volunteers allowed were their fewest since the 2010 season opener.
The Vols are up to 210.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd in FBS. They've averaged 213 yards with seven TDs during a three-game win streak.
27. Georgia Bulldogs
27 of 53
Average rating: 28.6
Week 11 result: Won 20-13 at Auburn
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Georgia Southern
Georgia (7-3, 5-3 SEC) completed a disappointing league slate knowing it can finish no better than second in the East Division, possibly ending in third if Tennessee wins out. But after taking a 56-55 lead (with eight ties) in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, the Bulldogs keep alive the chance to wind up with 10 wins in a very up-and-down season.
The offense remains in disarray, managing only 243 yards against a struggling Auburn team, with Greyson Lambert's 97 passing yards lowering the team average to 183.8 per game through the air. That's ninth in the SEC and 105th in the nation.
26. Mississippi State Bulldogs
28 of 53
Average rating: 28.2
Week 11 result: Lost 31-6 vs. Alabama
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Arkansas
Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3 SEC) goes only as far as Dak Prescott does, and when he's unable to be both a passer and a runner, the results just aren't there.
Prescott threw for 300 yards, his fourth straight 300-yard game, but he did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time since the Bulldogs' 30-17 loss last month at Texas A&M. He was also sacked nine times—the same number of times he'd been taken down in his first nine games—and thus MSU failed to reach the end zone for the first time since the 2013 season opener.
At 308.3 yards per game of total offense, Prescott is accounting for 70.3 percent of MSU's yardage.
25. Washington State Cougars
29 of 53
Average rating: 27.2
Week 11 result: Won 31-27 at UCLA
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Colorado
Washington State (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) is having its best season in 12 years and now has wins over Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and UCLA. Not bad for a team that began the year losing at home to an FCS school.
The Cougars' latest victory saw them score the go-ahead touchdown with three seconds left, a 21-yard pass to Gabe Marks from Luke Falk that gave the QB a school-record 35th TD. Falk suffered numerous hard hits in the game, briefly pulled after a blow to the head, though he still managed his ninth consecutive 300-yard game.
Falk averages 406.7 passing yards per game, which is first in FBS.
24. Northwestern Wildcats
30 of 53
Average rating: 25.0
Week 11 result: Won 21-14 vs. Purdue
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Wisconsin
Northwestern (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) has won three in a row since a two-game skid, though its scoring output has gone down each week. The Wildcats needed a touchdown run from Justin Jackson with 4:37 left to break a tie with the worst team in the conference.
At 146.6 passing yards per game, Northwestern ranks 119th in the country through the air. The Wildcats' 5.4 yards per attempt are tied for third-worst in FBS, and the seven TD passes thrown are only fewer than option teams Georgia Southern, Navy and New Mexico.
23. Ole Miss Rebels
31 of 53
Average rating: 24.0
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. LSU
Ole Miss (7-3, 4-2 SEC) is still technically alive for the West Division title thanks to its September win over Alabama, through the Rebels would need to not only win out, but also have the Crimson Tide lose to rival Auburn in two weeks.
The more realistic goal for the Rebels is to finish strong—unlike in 2014, when after a 7-0 start, they lost four of six.
A key to that will be to take better care of the ball. Ole Miss has 21 turnovers and a minus-four turnover ratio this season after being plus-seven a year ago.
22. Oregon Ducks
32 of 53
Average rating: 22.6
Week 11 result: Won 38-36 at Stanford
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. USC
Oregon (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) was left for dead after starting 3-3, stuck with an offense that couldn't throw the ball as Vernon Adams Jr. was healing from a broken finger on his throwing hand. Since Adams has returned to the fold, though, the Ducks have become the potent (and balanced) force they were projected to be with the graduate transfer quarterback.
Adams only attempted 12 passes but completed 10 of them for 205 yards and two touchdowns, and during Oregon's four-game win streak, he's thrown 12 TD passes and averaged 273 yards per game.
The Ducks run game continues to churn out big yards, with 297.4 yards per game and 26 TDs. Royce Freeman has already topped his numbers from last season, with 1,392 rushing yards and 12 scores.
Oregon can still win the North Division for a second straight year with two wins and a loss by Stanford on Saturday.
21. USC Trojans
33 of 53
Average rating: 20.6
Week 11 result: Won 27-24 at Colorado
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Oregon
USC (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) has won its last four games under interim head coach Clay Helton, though the last one was the least impressive. The Trojans had to rally from a 17-3 first-half lead at Colorado and managed a season-low 333 yards.
USC is now tied for the South Division lead with Utah and holds the tiebreaker, but it will need to win its final two games (including against rival UCLA). The Trojans have never made the Pac-12 title game
20. Navy Midshipmen
34 of 53
Average rating: 20.4
Week 11 result: Won 55-14 vs. SMU
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Tulsa
Navy (8-1, 6-0 American) remains tied for the West Division lead and now has the most prolific rushing scorer in FBS history leading its offense.
Keenan Reynolds ran for 137 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday, giving him 81 career TDs to move into first all-time. The senior quarterback has 17 scores this season and leads the Midshipmen with 928 yards, pacing a run game that is second in FBS at 335 yards per game.
Navy can win its first-ever division title with victories the next two weeks, including next week at unbeaten Houston.
19. Wisconsin Badgers
35 of 53
Average rating: 20.2
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Northwestern
Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) has won five in a row since opening conference play with a 10-6 home loss to Iowa, a result that will likely prevent the Badgers from repeating as West Division champions.
The Badgers haven't had the normal run production you expect out of Madison, their 154.6 rushing yards per game less than half the 2014 number of 320.14. Corey Clement, who ran for nearly 1,000 yards as a backup last season, has been limited to just two games because of injuries, and main rushers Dare Ogunbowale and Taiwan Deal have both averaged fewer than 4.5 yards per carry.
Wisconsin's defense has been strong all season, now first in FBS in scoring at 12.3 points allowed per game.
18. LSU Tigers
36 of 53
Average rating: 18.2
Week 11 result: Lost 31-14 vs. Arkansas
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Ole Miss
LSU (7-2, 4-2 SEC) has dropped two in a row as its one-dimensional offense has been exposed. But just as problematic has been the Tigers defense, which has allowed 549 rushing yards the past two weeks after giving up 656 yards in its first seven contests.
From No. 2 in the initial playoff rankings to a three-way tie for second place in the SEC West, LSU is spiraling at the wrong time with its defense wearing down and its offense unable to move the ball when Leonard Fournette can't carry it. The sophomore has 122 yards in the past two games after averaging 193.14 yards per game during the 7-0 start.
“Another year, another season of offensive frustration in Baton Rouge,” Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote.
17. Utah Utes
37 of 53
Average rating: 17.8
Week 11 result: Lost 37-30 (in 2 OT) at Arizona
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. UCLA
Utah (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) saw any realistic chance of it making the playoffs fizzle when it lost to Arizona for the fourth straight season, but the Utes are still very much in play for their first division title since joining the conference in 2011.
Now tied for first with USC, whom it lost to last month, the Utes must beat UCLA and hope USC loses one of its final two games. They can only control the former, which will require shoring up a defense that gave up a season-high 6.97 yards per play and failed to record a sack for just the second time this season.
Utah's best option on offense remains Devontae Booker, who had 34 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown, though he wasn't as involved in the game plan during the overtime sessions. He leads FBS with 268 rushing attempts this season.
16. Houston Cougars
38 of 53
Average rating: 16.2
Week 11 result: Won 35-34 vs. Memphis
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Connecticut
Houston (10-0, 6-0 American) has won its last two games by a combined four points, both at home, but it's still without a loss in Tom Herman's first year at the helm as head coach. And the way the Cougars came back against Memphis, he's got them fully invested.
Star quarterback Greg Ward Jr. injured his ankle in the first half, causing Houston to turn to sophomore Kyle Postma. He'd appeared in seven previous games with 80 total yards to his name, but despite a 20-0 deficit (as well as a 34-14 hole in the fourth quarter), he played like a veteran with 285 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. His seven-yard TD run with 1:27 completed the comeback.
Houston will probably still be behind Navy in this week's College Football Playoff rankings, but the teams meet in Houston on Nov. 27 with both the AAC West title and possibly a major bowl bid up for grabs.
15. Florida State Seminoles
39 of 53
Average rating: 15.8
Week 11 result: Won 34-17 vs. North Carolina State
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Chattanooga
Florida State (8-2, 6-2 ACC) gave up 17 points in the first quarter and still ended up winning handily in a game that might have officially ended the Everett Golson era in Tallahassee.
The Notre Dame transfer, who had started the Seminoles' first seven games before missing two because of injury, was pulled after turning the ball over three times in the first half. Sean Maguire came on to throw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, and head coach Jimbo Fisher already named him the starter for Saturday's home finale in a press conference.
All FSU needs from its pass game is consistency, since running back Dalvin Cook is the focal point of the offense. He had 138 rushing yards and two TDs, his 1,369 yards for the season a school record.
14. Stanford Cardinal
40 of 53
Average rating: 13.4
Week 11 result: Lost 38-36 vs. Oregon
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. California
Stanford (8-2, 7-1 Pac-12) had its eight-game win streak come to an end and in the process also was effectively eliminated from the playoff race with a second loss in 2015. Now the focus will turn toward securing the North Division title and a third trip to the conference title game in four seasons.
The Cardinal were down 12 in the fourth quarter but had a chance to force overtime, though their first two-point attempt since 2011 was unsuccessful with 10 seconds left. It was one of the few times things hadn't gone their way since falling 16-6 at Northwestern in the opening week of the season.
Stanford's offense was as efficient as usual, averaging 5.88 yards per play behind 352 yards of total offense from Kevin Hogan and 244 all-purpose yards from Christian McCaffrey, though its defense had its worst performance of the season. The Cardinal gave up 9.08 yards per play, four yards more than their average coming in.
No. 13 Michigan Wolverines
41 of 53
Average rating: 13.0
Week 11 result: Won 48-41 (in 2 OT) at Indiana
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Penn State
Michigan (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) has gone from a team hoping to control the clock on offense and stifle opponents on defense to one that's able to score seemingly at will. The change on offense has been due to one man, Iowa transfer quarterback Jake Rudock, who against Indiana threw for a school-record six touchdowns.
Rudock threw for fewer than 200 yards in seven consecutive games before going for 337 against Rutgers and 440 against Indiana. His eight TD passes the last two weeks are two more than in the Wolverines' first eight games of 2015.
“I think he’s a great leader,” Michigan assistant coach Jedd Fisch said of Rudock, per Adam Biggers of Today's U Sports. “He’s played a lot of these teams, he’s played in a lot of these games, he’s played in a lot of stadiums—and he kind of brings a calming factor, as you guys know when you talk to him.”
No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels
42 of 53
Average rating: 12.8
Week 11 result: Won 59-21 vs. Miami (Florida)
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Virginia Tech
North Carolina (9-1, 6-0 ACC) wasn't able to lock up the Coastal Division with a ninth straight win, but it seems like a foregone conclusion at this point. The Tar Heels would have to lose their remaining two games and have Pittsburgh win out for them not to make their first-ever conference championship game.
While their much-improved offense had been the story during the first eight games of 2015, the Heels offense has erupted the last two weeks to the tune of 125 points. Marquise Williams, who set the school single-game passing record with 494 yards against Duke on Nov. 7, ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns to go with a passing TD against the Hurricanes.
UNC has soared to second in the country in yards per play at 7.59.
The Tar Heels have their most wins in a season since 1997, when they went 11-1 but finished second to Florida State in the ACC.
No. 11 Michigan State Spartans
43 of 53
Average rating: 11.4
Week 11 result: Won 24-7 vs. Maryland
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Ohio State
Michigan State (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) is an example of how the worst thing about suffering a loss is how a team plays the week after. Still reeling from the controversial finish to their 39-38 defeat the week before at Nebraska, the Spartans had their lowest yardage output since September 2013 on Saturday.
That's not how a team wants to be performing just before playing in a de facto division title game on the road against the defending national champions.
Connor Cook had thrown for 300-plus yards with 11 touchdowns in his previous four games but was just 6-of-20 for 77 yards with an interception against Maryland.
10. TCU Horned Frogs
44 of 53
Average rating: 10.6
Week 11 result: Won 23-17 vs. Kansas
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Oklahoma
TCU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) looked even less impressive in victory than it did the week before, when it lost for the first time this season, and in both cases injuries to key offensive players had a significant role in its appearance.
Wide receiver Josh Doctson returned from a wrist injury suffered against Oklahoma State but managed just one catch for 12 yards, while quarterback Trevone Boykin went down with an ankle sprain in the first half and didn't return. Replacement quarterbacks Bram Kohlhausen and Foster Sawyer combined for 152 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 14-of-26 passing and 41 rushing yards on 11 carries.
With the injuries that had decimated their defense now spreading to the offensive side of the ball, the Horned Frogs are limping to the finish against the wrong opponents to be short-handed against. Winless Kansas had several chances in the fourth quarter to take the lead, and now TCU has to play Oklahoma and Baylor in back-to-back weeks with hobbled stars at quarterback and wide receiver.
9. Florida Gators
45 of 53
Average rating: 8.8
Week 11 result: Won 24-14 at South Carolina
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Florida Atlantic
Florida (9-1, 7-1 SEC) will finish up with a pair of in-state opponents after wrapping up its first East Division title since 2009. This next game will be the last chance to get the offense moving more smoothly before facing rival Florida State in the regular-season finale.
The Gators have averaged only 16.7 points during their three-game win streak, each game putting up fewer points than in their 35-28 loss at LSU. The key is Treon Harris, who threw for 256 yards and a touchdown at South Carolina but was also intercepted twice.
Harris has been picked off three times in the past two games and hasn't completed more than 58 percent of his passes since Week 2, when he was still splitting carries with Will Harris.
Florida's defense has risen to fifth in FBS, allowing 280 yards per game after holding the Gamecocks to 201 yards.
8. Baylor Bears
46 of 53
Average rating: 8.6
Week 11 result: Lost 44-34 vs. Oklahoma
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 at Oklahoma State
Baylor (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) will not be participating in the playoffs unless a lot of chaos happens above it in the rankings, though the Bears need to fix their own offensive issues before worrying about anything else.
Two straight opponents have minimized the Bears' ability to be balanced between passing and rushing—held under 200 yards and four yards per carry by both Kansas State and Oklahoma. That's put added pressure on freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who looked great in his first start at K-State, but on Saturday he threw his first two career interceptions.
The Bears are still alive for the conference title, which they have claimed at least a share of the last two seasons, though that might only be a consolation prize at this point.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
47 of 53
Average rating: 7.9
Week 11 result: Won 40-35 vs. Minnesota
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Purdue
Iowa (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) keeps on rolling, now off to its best start in school history, though the last three victories have been tighter by the week.
The Hawkeyes' last three wins, against opponents with a combined 10 wins, have been by an average of 9.7 points. The last one required them to post their highest yardage tally, 506, since last November.
Though the overall results haven't been that impressive of late, what has impressed is the play of quarterback C.J. Beathard. He's run for 88 yards and three touchdowns the past two games and hasn't thrown an interception in the last three contests.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
48 of 53
Average rating: 5.7
Week 11 result: Won 44-34 at Baylor
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. TCU
Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) began its late-season three-step through the league's toughest foes in impressive fashion, winning at Baylor for the first time since 2009. The Sooners should reap the benefits of that victory in the playoff rankings, making a significant leap from their current 12th-place position.
“They barely resemble the team that needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Tennessee 31–24 in double overtime on Sept. 12,” Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples wrote. “They look nothing like the team that got humbled by Texas 24–17 in Dallas on Oct. 12. The question now is whether the College Football Playoff selection committee will recognize the difference between the October Sooners and the November Sooners.”
It was an all-around impressive effort from Oklahoma, with all of its offensive playmakers stepping up and the defense doing something few others in the past seasons have accomplished: to make Baylor seem like just another team when it had the ball.
The Sooners intercepted Jarrett Stidham twice and held Baylor's run game to 3.6 yards per carry, down from the season average of 6.57.
Baker Mayfield and Samaje Perine were at their best, which hasn't happened often in the same game in 2015. Mayfield had 346 yards of total offense with four total TDs, while Perine had 166 rushing yards with two scores, only his third 100-yard game of the season.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
49 of 53
Average rating: 5.4
Week 11 result: Won 28-7 vs. Wake Forest
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Boston College (in Boston)
Notre Dame (9-1) was relatively unimpressive in its final home game of the season, though it didn't take much to beat a team that came in averaging 16 points per game against FBS opponents.
The Fighting Irish only managed 282 yards on 49 offensive plays, both season lows, though they were efficient when needed. DeShone Kizer completed 13 of 19 passes and ran for two touchdowns, while Josh Adams—making his first start with C.J. Prosise recovering from a concussion—had 141 yards and a TD on 17 carries.
Most importantly, Notre Dame did not commit a turnover for the first time since Week 2.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys
50 of 53
Average rating: 4.8
Week 11 result: Won 35-31 at Iowa State
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Baylor
Oklahoma State (10-0, 7-0, Big 12) is the lone unbeaten left in the conference and thus the league's best hope to make the playoffs. It won't be an undeserving honor since the Cowboys still have to play Baylor and Oklahoma, as if their run to this point hasn't been stressful enough.
Saturday's win marked OK State's fourth this year by one score and the second time it needed to rally from a 17-point deficit. The other was when it won 70-53 at Texas Tech.
The Cowboys were down 24-7, but their unique two-quarterback tandem of Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh powered the comeback with each doing his thing. Rudolph threw for 327 yards, his fifth 300-yard game, while Walsh threw a touchdown pass and ran for two scores.
Walsh has accounted for 20 TDs, with 10 through the air on just 28 attempts.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
51 of 53
Average rating: 2.6
Week 11 result: Won 28-3 at Illinois
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Michigan State
Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) had its full stable of offensive playmakers yet still didn't perform particularly well en route to its 23rd consecutive victory. If that happens over the next two weekends, the Buckeyes could kiss a chance to win a second straight national title goodbye.
It wasn't until Ezekiel Elliott took over in the second half, getting most of his 181 rushing yards and both of his touchdown runs, that Ohio State had a comfortable lead on the road.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett, back from a one-game suspension, had 224 yards of total offense and two TDs but wasn't as effective as in his previous starts before getting cited for operating a vehicle while impaired during the team's bye week.
"You don't have to be your best now, you don't have to be your best when there's two games left in the season," Barrett said, per Fox Sports' Stewart Mandel. "You want to be at your best at the end of the year."
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
52 of 53
Average rating: 2.4
Week 11 result: Won 31-6 at Mississippi State
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Charleston Southern
Alabama (9-1, 6-1 SEC) made another potential challenger look like an afterthought by romping past Mississippi State on the road, though like the week before against LSU, it took awhile to get the offense going. Thankfully, the Crimson Tide's defense has come to play since the opening kickoff during the team's seven-game win streak.
All but one opponent since the Tide lost to Ole Miss have been held to 16 or fewer points, often because Alabama has neutralized their best weapons. This time it was Dak Prescott, who was sacked nine times and never got a chance to do damage with his mobility.
The Tide had 38 sacks this season, second in FBS behind Penn State's 42.
In addition to its defense clicking on all cylinders, Alabama has arguably the best bet for the Heisman Trophy at this point in running back Derrick Henry. He had his second straight 200-yard rushing game and at 1,458 yards is 222 shy of the single-season school record held by Trent Richardson.
“After he accumulated 204 rushing yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns during a game where the Alabama offense wasn’t very good, it’s now his award to win or lose,” Bleacher Report's Christopher Walsh wrote.
1. Clemson Tigers
53 of 53
Average rating: 1.4
Week 11 result: Won 37-27 at Syracuse
Week 12 matchup: Nov. 21 vs. Wake Forest
Clemson (10-0, 7-0 ACC) got another taste of what it's like to be every opponent's biggest target by getting pushed hard by a Syracuse team that has now lost seven in a row.
After falling behind early in their previous two games and then taking over, this time the Tigers had the fast start and then were suddenly in a game. They scored twice in the first two minutes but were tied at 14 late in the first quarter and never led by more than two touchdowns.
Deshaun Watson, somehow not getting the Heisman talk you'd expect from the quarterback of the No. 1 team in the country, had his fourth 400-yard total offense game in the last five. He's accounting for 319.1 yards per game, which is 15th in the nation.
All statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
