College Football Rankings 2015: Overview of Week 12 Standings for NCAA's Top 25

Judging only with the human eye, the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide look to be the best two teams in college football. Every major recognized polling system seems to agree, with the exception of the Associated Press.

The AP still has the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes ranked ahead of the one-loss Crimson Tide. Is it right to penalize 'Bama for falling to a solid Ole Miss Rebels team earlier in the season, despite the fact that they have navigated a much tougher schedule than Ohio State has en route to their perfect 10-0 record?

That's the million-dollar question, but there's no doubting that if both teams run the table from here on out, there's no way the Derrick Henry-led Crimson Tide, or the J.T. Barrett-led Buckeyes shouldn't be in the College Football Playoff.

Here's a look at the polls for the Associated Press, Coaches and Bleacher Report:

Big Ten Teams Still Alive

Al Goldis/Associated Press

Ohio State is the school most discuss when it comes to the Big Ten and the CFP, but the Michigan State Spartans or the Iowa Hawkeyes would almost certainly reach the final four if they win out. Both will have to go through the Bucks to complete that goal.

The Spartans will get their shot on Saturday when the Bucks welcome them to Columbus. Spartans quarterback Connor Cook has played in some big games in his college football career, but this one is perhaps the biggest for the Hinckley, Ohio native.

His final chance at winning a national championship hangs in the balance, and not many people are giving Michigan State a chance to win on the road. Per OddsShark.com, the Spartans are 13-point underdogs.

Cook isn't putting much stock into that. Per Dan Murphy of ESPN.com, the senior QB said this about his team's underdog status:

“I really could care less about that question or that whole thing. We're a 13-point underdog any way you cut it, so that's that.”

If Cook thinks that he and the Spartans are getting disrespected, imagine how the Hawkeyes feel. All they've done is win every game this season, but it's hard to find anyone who gives them much of a chance to reach the CFP.

Behind steady junior QB C.J. Beathard, the Hawkeyes have two wins over ranked opponents, and they will be playing in the conference title game. A victory over the winner of Ohio State and Michigan State should make Iowa's case for the CFP undeniable.

Big 12's Hopes Are in State of Oklahoma

With the Baylor Bears and TCU Horned Frogs having suffered recent defeats, both Texas-based teams have almost no chance to make the CFP.

The undefeated Oklahoma State Cowboys seem like a lock if they win out. Victories over Baylor on Saturday and the Oklahoma Sooners in Bedlam should be enough to overcome the conference's lack of a postseason title game.

The Sooners have a similar task ahead of them. Beating TCU on Saturday and the Cowboys in the season finale would make a very strong case for them in the CFP.

Oklahoma lost at home to the Texas Longhorns earlier this season. That defeat could cause them to miss out on the CFP, even if they run the table.

Florida and Notre Dame Are Teams to Watch

Currently, Notre Dame would be in if the CFP were to begin today. That could easily change if Iowa and Oklahoma State run the table. Notre Dame still finishes the season with a big game at the Stanford Cardinal, but the latter is no longer considered elite after suffering its second loss.

With no conference affiliation, an undefeated Cowboys or Hawkeyes team should be ranked ahead of Notre Dame.

The Florida Gators are another team to watch closely. Their only loss is a quality one. They dropped a seven-point decision to the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge earlier in the season. With a very winnable game against the Florida Atlantic Owls, a regular-season showdown with the Florida State Seminoles and a meeting with Alabama in the SEC title game on the horizon, the Gators have the room to impress CFP voters, and earn a chance to win a national championship.

Prepare yourselves for the biggest week in the college football season. Most of the questions raised will be answered by Saturday night.