College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 13
Perfection pursuits and playoff positioning dominated the discussion last week in college football, shaking things up at the top of the Bleacher Report rankings as three unbeaten teams lost and several others hoping to contend for a championship fell by the wayside.
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 12 weeks of action, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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Akron secured its first season of bowl eligibility since 2005 with a 42-21 win over Buffalo on Saturday. The Zips have won three straight and are tied for second in the Mid-American's East Division.
Georgia State won only one game in its first two seasons of FBS play, but after a 24-10 victory over South Alabama, the Panthers have four wins and remain alive for their first-ever bowl bid.
Miami (Ohio) and New Mexico State won't be bowling this year, but both managed significant wins over the weekend. Miami's 20-13 win at Massachusetts was its third of the season (after winning only two between 2013-14) and ended a 22-game road losing streak, while NMSU won 37-34 at Louisiana-Lafayette for a third straight victory after losing 17 in a row.
- 128. Charlotte 49ers (2-9, 0-8 Conference USA)
- 127. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-10, 0-7 Mid-American)
- 126. North Texas Mean Green (1-10, 1-7 Conference USA)
- 125. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-10, 0-7 Sun Belt)
- 124. Hawaii Warriors (2-10, 0-8 Mountain West)
- 123. Wyoming Cowboys (1-10, 1-6 Mountain West)
- 122. UCF Knights (0-11, 0-7 American)
- 121. Idaho Vandals (3-8, 2-5 Sun Belt)
- 120. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American)
- 119. UTEP Miners (4-7, 2-5 Conference USA)
- 117. (tie) Massachusetts Minutemen (2-9, 1-6 Mid-American)
- 117. (tie) Kent State Golden Flashes (3-8, 2-5 Mid-American)
- 116. Texas State Bobcats (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt)
- 113. (tie) New Mexico State Aggies (3-7, 3-3 Sun Belt)
- 113. (tie) Kansas Jayhawks (0-11, 0-8 Big 12)
- 113. (tie) Army Black Knights (2-9)
- 111. (tie) UTSA Roadrunners (3-8, 3-4 Conference USA)
- 111. (tie) Tulane Green Wave (3-8, 1-6 American)
- 110. Rice Owls (4-7, 2-5 Conference USA)
- 109. Old Dominion Monarchs (5-6, 3-4 Conference USA)
- 108. Florida Atlantic Owls (2-9, 2-5 Conference USA)
- 106. (tie) UNLV Runnin' Rebels (3-8, 2-5 Mountain West)
- 106. (tie) Ball State Cardinals (3-8, 2-5 Mid-American)
- 105. Fresno State Bulldogs (3-8, 2-5 Mountain West)
- 104. Florida International Golden Panthers (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 103. SMU Mustangs (2-9, 1-6 American)
- 102. Georgia State Panthers (4-6, 3-3 Sun Belt)
- 101. South Alabama Jaguars (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt)
- 100. Oregon State Beavers (2-9, 0-8 Pac-12)
- 99. Troy Trojans (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt)
- 98. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (4-6, 3-3 Sun Belt)
- 97. New Mexico Lobos (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West)
- 95. (tie) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-8, 1-6 ACC)
- 95. (tie) Buffalo Bulls (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American)
- 93. (tie) Purdue Boilermakers (2-9, 1-6 Big Ten)
- 93. (tie) Colorado Buffaloes (4-8, 1-7 Pac-12)
- 92. Maryland Terrapins (2-9, 0-7 Big Ten)
- 91. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-7, 1-5 Big Ten)
Nos. 90-61
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A massive comeback for one team spelled the end for the coach of another in Big 12 play on Saturday. Kansas State rallied from down 21 points to win 38-35 at home against Iowa State, ending a six-game losing streak to remain alive for a bowl bid. The loss led to ISU firing head coach Paul Rhoads, though he'll be allowed to finish his seventh season by coaching this week's finale at West Virginia.
Also ending a long skid—and thus remaining in contention for the postseason—was Indiana, which trailed 21-3 at Maryland but ended up winning 47-28.
- 90. Akron Zips (6-5, 4-3 Mid-American)
- 89. Syracuse Orange (3-8, 1-6 ACC)
- 88. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-6, 2-5 American)
- 86. (tie) South Carolina Gamecocks (3-8, 1-7 SEC)
- 86. (tie) Ohio Bobcats (7-4, 4-3 Mid-American)
- 84. (tie) Vanderbilt Commodores (4-7, 2-5 SEC)
- 84. (tie) San Jose State Spartans (5-6, 4-3 Mountain West)
- 82. (tie) Nevada Wolf Pack (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West)
- 82. (tie) Boston College Eagles (3-8, 0-7 ACC)
- 80. (tie) Virginia Cavaliers (4-7, 3-4 ACC)
- 80. (tie) Connecticut Huskies (6-5, 4-3 American)
- 78. (tie) East Carolina Pirates (5-6, 3-4 American)
- 78. (tie) Colorado State Rams (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West)
- 77. Kentucky Wildcats (5-6, 2-6 SEC)
- 76. Iowa State Cyclones (3-8, 2-6 Big 12)
- 75. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-6, 2-5 Big Ten)
- 74. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (6-5, 5-2 Conference USA)
- 72. (tie) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-8, 1-7 ACC)
- 72. (tie) Central Michigan Chippewas (6-5, 5-2 Mid-American)
- 71. Western Michigan Broncos (6-5, 5-2 Mid-American)
- 70. Indiana Hoosiers (5-6, 1-6 Big Ten)
- 69. Missouri Tigers (5-6, 1-6 SEC)
- 68. Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-6, 2-5 Big Ten)
- 67. Utah State (6-5, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 65. (tie) Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (8-3, 6-1 Conference USA)
- 65. (tie) Kansas State Wildcats (4-6, 1-6 Big 12)
- 64. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-5, 3-4 American)
- 63. Marshall Thundering Herd (9-2, 6-1 Conference USA)
- 62. Texas Longhorns (4-6, 3-4 Big 12)
- 61. Duke Blue Devils (6-5, 3-4 ACC)
Nos. 60-51
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Northern Illinois is a win away from a sixth consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division title and league title game appearance after beating Western Michigan 27-19 on Wednesday. The Huskies clinch the title with a victory Tuesday at home against Ohio.
- 60. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-6, 3-4 ACC)
- 59. Arizona Wildcats (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12)
- 58. Georgia Southern Eagles (7-3, 5-1 Sun Belt)
- 57. Boise State Broncos (7-4, 4-3 Mountain West)
- 55. (tie) Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-6, 3-4 Big Ten)
- 55. (tie) Miami, Florida Hurricanes (7-4, 4-3 ACC)
- 54. Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-3, 6-0 Sun Belt)
- 53. Northern Illinois Huskies (8-3, 6-1 Mid-American)
- 52. Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-2, 5-1 Sun Belt)
- 51. North Carolina State Wolfpack (7-4, 3-4 ACC)
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50. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
4 of 53
Average rating: 49.5
Week 12 result: Won 17-15 at UTEP
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Southern Mississippi
Louisiana Tech (8-3, 6-1 Conference USA) will be playing for a second straight West Division title in its regular-season finale after overcoming its worst offensive performance of the year.
The Bulldogs had only 307 yards after averaging 487.7 yards and 40 points per game.
49. Washington Huskies
5 of 53
Average rating: 49.0
Week 12 result: Won 52-7 at Oregon State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Washington State
Washington (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12) had a season-high in points to stay alive for a sixth straight bowl bid, with all that stands in its way being its rival in the annual Apple Cup game.
The Huskies have gotten six 100-yard rushing games from freshman Myles Gaskin, while freshman quarterback Jake Browning has thrown 13 of his 16 touchdown passes in wins.
48. South Florida Bulls
6 of 53
Average rating: 47.38
Week 12 result: Won 65-27 vs. Cincinnati
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at UCF
South Florida (7-4, 5-2 American) has won three in a row and six of seven since a 1-3 start that included being the only FBS team to lose to Maryland. The Bulls have erupted on offense in their last two games, scoring 109 points, and they have their most wins since 2010.
Quarterback Quinton Flowers has 10 touchdown passes in the last three games after throwing eight in the first eight games, while Marlon Mack has paced a run offense that is 12th in FBS at 240 yards per game.
47. Auburn Tigers
7 of 53
Average rating: 45.5
Week 12 result: Won 56-34 vs. Idaho
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Alabama
Auburn (6-5, 2-5 SEC) locked up bowl eligibility by posting season highs in points and yards (460) but had to do it against a Sun Belt team. In conference play the Tigers average 373.9 yards and 23.4 points per game.
The Tigers had their third straight game with at least 200 rushing yards, giving them five such games in 2015. In the previous two seasons they topped 200 yards on the ground in 23 of 27 games.
45. (tie) Texas Tech Red Raiders
8 of 53
Average rating: 45.0
Week 12 result: Bye
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Texas
Texas Tech (6-5, 3-5 Big 12) was the only team among our Top 50 not to have played last week, instead getting extra time to prepare for a Thanksgiving regular-season finale. The Red Raiders have lost six in a row to the Longhorns and haven't won in Austin since 1997.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II ranks third in FBS in total offense at 393.2 yards per game, accounting for 40 touchdowns, though he has thrown 13 interceptions, including at least two in four different games.
45. (tie) Louisville Cardinals
9 of 53
Average rating: 45.0
Week 12 result: Lost 45-34 at Pittsburgh
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Kentucky
Louisville (6-5, 5-3 ACC) had a four-game win streak snapped and allowed 30-plus points for the second week in a row. Though the Cardinals have shown a nice bounce-back from an 0-3 start, they have their most losses in a season since 2011.
The Cardinals had minus-one rushing yards against Pittsburgh, the fifth time this year they've failed to gain at least 100 yards on the ground. They allowed seven sacks in that game, and for the year their 43 sacks allowed are most in FBS.
44. Air Force Falcons
10 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 12 result: Won 37-30 at Boise State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at New Mexico
Air Force (8-3, 6-1 Mountain West) has won the Mountain Division title after earning its first-ever win at Boise, its fifth win in a row.
The Falcons have the No. 3 rushing offense in FBS at 332.7 yards per game on the ground, but in their last two wins, quarterback Karson Roberts has thrown for 550 yards with three touchdowns. They had amassed 946 passing yards and seven TDs in the previous nine games.
43. California Golden Bears
11 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 12 result: Lost 35-22 at Stanford
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Arizona State
California (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12) lost the Big Game for the sixth straight season, dropping the Golden Bears to 0-9 against the conference's other three California teams. Despite being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011, the Bears have lost five of six since a 5-0 start.
Jared Goff had his eighth 300-yard passing game of the season and went without an interception for just the third time in 2015. He topped 11,000 career yards against Stanford, moving up to 49th in FBS history.
42. Penn State Nittany Lions
12 of 53
Average rating: 40.5
Week 12 result: Lost 28-16 vs. Michigan
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Michigan State
Penn State (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten) had only 207 yards and gained 3.83 yards per play in its second straight loss, the worst offensive performance since the season-opening loss at Temple.
The Nittany Lions managed just three field goals in three trips to the red zone, dropping them to 106th in FBS in red-zone touchdown percentage at 52.63. Fifteen of 16 field goals this season have been kicked from inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
41. San Diego State Aztecs
13 of 53
Average rating: 40.33
Week 12 result: Won 52-14 at UNLV
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Nevada
San Diego State (8-3, 7-0 Mountain West) has won seven straight games and nine in a row in conference play, winning the West Division to earn a spot in its first conference title game.
The Aztecs have allowed 10.8 points per game during the win streak, holding every opponent to 17 or fewer. They ranked seventh in FBS at 285.5 yards allowed per game.
40. Arizona State Sun Devils
14 of 53
Average rating: 40.0
Week 12 result: Won 52-37 vs. Arizona
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at California
Arizona State (6-5, 4-4 Pac-12) locked up a bowl bid in the most satisfying way possible, putting up 565 yards against its archrival and thwarting any hope of a comeback with two interception returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Those were the first two defensive TDs of the year for the Sun Devils, who have allowed 30-plus points in six games this season. They also recorded eight sacks for the second time in 2015, giving them 44 for the year to move into a tie for first in the nation with Penn State.
39. Bowling Green Falcons
15 of 53
Average rating: 39.13
Week 12 result: Lost 44-28 vs. Toledo
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 24 at Ball State
Bowling Green (8-3, 6-1 Mid-American) had its seven-game win streak come to an end last week, but the Falcons had already clinched a third straight East Division title and are locked into the conference final next week in Detroit.
Quarterback Matt Johnson has been on a bit of a downswing, though, with consecutive games below 300 passing yards after averaging nearly 410 yards per game during the first nine games. He's also thrown three of his six interceptions during that span.
38. Memphis Tigers
16 of 53
Average rating: 38.87
Week 12 result: Lost 31-12 at Temple
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. SMU
Memphis (8-3, 4-3 American) lost a third straight game after having won 15 in a row, a late collapse that has seen it go from the top-ranked non-power-conference team to one that needs to win out just to match last year's win total.
The Tigers had their fewest points and yards (232) since September 2014, when they gained 104 yards in a 24-3 loss at Ole Miss.
37. BYU Cougars
17 of 53
Average rating: 38.8
Week 12 result: Won 52-10 vs. Fresno State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Utah State
BYU (8-3) has reached eight victories for the fifth consecutive season and ninth time in the past 10 years, scoring its most points against an FBS opponent since November 2010.
Quarterback Tanner Mangum went without an interception for the second game in a row, recording his fourth 300-yard game in the process.
36. West Virginia Mountaineers
18 of 53
Average rating: 36.0
Week 12 result: Won 49-0 at Kansas
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Iowa State
West Virginia (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) has had a season full of streaks dictated by the strength of its opponents, now on its second three-game win streak sandwiched around a four-game skid against the conference's top four teams.
The Mountaineers allowed 179 points in losses to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and TCU, foes with a combined 38-5 record, and in their six wins they've given up 69 points with two shutouts.
35. Arkansas Razorbacks
19 of 53
Average rating: 34.2
Week 12 result: Lost 51-50 vs. Mississippi State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Missouri
Arkansas (6-5, 4-3 SEC) lost for the first time in five games despite topping 50 points for the fourth time in that span. And the Razorbacks' tremendous offensive performance of late has had little to do with their run game, since senior quarterback Brandon Allen has dominated through the air.
Allen threw seven touchdown passes against Mississippi State and also caught a two-point pass, finishing with more than 400 yards for the third time this season. He's accounted for 30 TDs, and his 3,023 passing yards are the most for Arkansas since Tyler Wilson had 3,387 yards in 2012.
Arkansas' defense hasn't been able to back up Allen, though, allowing 40 or more points for the third time in five games.
34. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
20 of 53
Average rating: 33.6
Week 12 result: Won 63-7 at Florida International
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Marshall
Western Kentucky (9-2, 7-0 Conference USA) tuned up for a showdown with defending league champion Marshall with its most points of the season. Now the Hilltoppers get a shot at their first title since 2002 when at the FCS level.
33. Texas A&M Aggies
21 of 53
Average rating: 32.8
Week 12 result: Won 25-0 at Vanderbilt
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at LSU
Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3 SEC) recorded its first shutout victory since 2004 to keep making this season one full of unpredictable results.
The Aggies were expected to have a much-improved defense this year, but that hadn't shown up most weeks. But after allowing 23 passing yards to Vanderbilt, they rank eighth nationally against the pass with just eight touchdowns yielded.
The team's own offense continues to struggle with consistency, though. Kyle Allen threw for 336 yards, the second-most for an A&M quarterback this season, yet four trips to the red zone resulted in just three field goals.
32. Georgia Bulldogs
22 of 53
Average rating: 30.75
Week 12 result: Won 23-17 (in OT) vs. Georgia Southern
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Georgia Tech
Georgia (8-3, 5-3 SEC) avoided what would have been a near-impossible loss to bounce back from, coming up big in overtime after another lackluster performance through the first 60 minutes.
If not for the Bulldogs defense, which slowed the top-rated rushing attack in the country, the chatter about head coach Mark Richt's future in Athens might have reached Les Miles/LSU levels this week.
Georgia's defense has been its saving grace in the second half of 2015, giving up fewer than 300 yards in four of the last five games.
31. Temple Owls
23 of 53
Average rating: 29.8
Week 12 result: Won 31-12 vs. Memphis
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Connecticut
Temple (9-2, 6-1 American) returned to form on defense to clinch at least a tie for the East Division title, its first championship of any kind since sharing the Mid-American East in 2009. The Owls need a win (or a South Florida loss) to play in the league title game next week.
Temple's held six of 11 opponents this season under 20 points, but before beating Memphis, it had allowed a combined 84 points over the previous two games.
30. USC Trojans
24 of 53
Average rating: 29.3
Week 12 result: Lost 48-28 at Oregon
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. UCLA
USC (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12) lost for the first time since interim head coach Clay Helton's debut (in October at Notre Dame), but the Trojans still control their destiny in the South Division. They beat rival UCLA for the first time in four years, and they'll make their first appearance in the conference title game.
The 48 points allowed were the most since a 62-41 loss at Arizona State in September 2013, a result that began USC on its two-year roller coaster of coaching changes. Lane Kiffin was fired after that game, with Helton becoming the Trojans' second interim coach later that season before Steve Sarkisian was hired.
29. Pittsburgh Panthers
25 of 53
Average rating: 29.2
Week 12 result: Won 45-34 vs. Louisville
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Miami (Florida)
Pittsburgh (8-3, 6-1 ACC) matched its season high in points and had 476 yards against Louisville, its best offensive performance in Pat Narduzzi's first year as head coach. As a result, the Panthers are guaranteed no worse than second place in the Coastal Division.
Their three losses this season have come to Iowa, North Carolina and Notre Dame, teams with a combined record of 31-2.
28. Tennessee Volunteers
26 of 53
Average rating: 28.38
Week 12 result: Won 19-8 at Missouri
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Vanderbilt
Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) has won four in a row, its longest streak since 2010, and with back-to-back tremendous defensive efforts, the Volunteers are playing their best ball of the season at the right time.
The Vols have allowed eight points in the last two games, and for the season they've allowed only 18 touchdowns in 34 opponent red-zone possessions.
27. Wisconsin Badgers
27 of 53
Average rating: 28.3
Week 12 result: Lost 13-7 vs. Northwestern
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Minnesota
Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten) averages 26.7 points per game but is now 0-3 when it doesn't get to 20 points. Both home losses have seen the Badgers held to single digits, with Saturday's loss affected by five turnovers and six sacks allowed.
The Badgers are averaging 138.18 rushing yards per game after going for minus-26 against Northwestern. That's less than half the production they had on the ground in 2014, with Dare Ogunbowale's 614 yards only slightly ahead of Wisconsin's third-leading rusher last season.
26. LSU Tigers
28 of 53
Average rating: 27.6
Week 12 result: Lost 38-17 at Ole Miss
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Texas A&M
LSU (7-3, 4-3 SEC) has lost three in a row, a major collapse after being second in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. The latest setback, which saw the Tigers trail 24-0, has only added to the growing speculation the school is prepared to part ways with longtime coach Les Miles despite 110 wins, three division titles and a national championship in 11 seasons.
The first three-game losing streak since 1999 has made it so there is “a very good possibility” LSU will buy out Miles' contract, per ESPN.com's Joe Schad. Schad cited sources that indicate boosters have already agreed to pay $15 million of the $20 million for the buyout.
The Tigers' skid, which came against Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss, coincided with sophomore Leonard Fournette coming back down to earth after a tremendous start. He still leads FBS with 158.2 rushing yards per game, but he's gained only 230 yards in the last three games.
25. Toledo Rockets
29 of 53
Average rating: 27.0
Week 12 result: Won 44-28 at Bowling Green
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Western Michigan
Toledo (9-1, 6-1 Mid-American) is tied atop the West Division standings heading into the final week of the regular season, but before it plays its last game, it will know whether winning the division is possible. That's because co-leader Northern Illinois, the only team to beat the Rockets this season, plays on Tuesday.
Missing out on the MAC title game won't take away from what's been a tremendous season for Toledo, including the most recent win against the East Division champs.
24. Utah Utes
30 of 53
Average rating: 25.0
Week 12 result: Lost 17-9 vs. UCLA
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Colorado
Utah (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12) has lost two in a row to fall out of contention for the South Division title, and with top offensive weapon Devontae Booker out for the remainder of the season following knee surgery, there aren't many other options.
Booker had 268 rushes and 37 receptions in the Utes' first 10 games, but without him, they managed a season-low 307 yards and their lowest scoring output since October 2013.
Quarterback Travis Wilson has 12 touchdown passes, only two in the last three games.
23. Washington State Cougars
31 of 53
Average rating: 24.0
Week 12 result: Won 27-3 vs. Colorado
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 at Washington State
Washington State (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12) has its most conference victories since 2003 and could match the seven-win league mark of the 2002 Rose Bowl season. Yet the Cougars' third straight win was an afterthought after star quarterback Luke Falk suffered a scary head injury in the second half.
Falk was carted off the field in Pullman, Washington, on a stretcher after his head crashed into the hard, cold turf. WSU athletic director Bill Moos said Monday that Falk is “doing well” and might be able to play in the Apple Cup rivalry game, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com).
Falk has thrown a school-record 36 touchdown passes this year and leads FBS with 387.8 passing yards per game.
22. Houston Cougars
32 of 53
Average rating: 23.6
Week 12 result: Lost 20-17 at Connecticut
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Navy
Houston (10-1, 6-1 American) had its 11-game win streak snapped a week before a huge showdown for the West Division title and just after an emotional comeback to beat Memphis at home. The Cougars were short-handed with star quarterback Greg Ward limited by injury, but ultimately they fell victim to the dreaded “trap game,” Sports On Earth's Matt Brown wrote.
“Houston had to trek over 1,500 miles to Connecticut to face a Huskies team that has improved and plays a lot of ugly games thanks to its solid defense,” Brown wrote.
Without Ward at full strength—though he came in late after backup Kyle Postma was hurt—the Cougars managed season lows in points and yards (318).
21. UCLA Bruins
33 of 53
Average rating: 21.6
Week 12 result: Won 17-9 at UCLA
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at USC
UCLA (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12) had season lows in points and yards (325), but the road win—its 14th in 15 games away from the Rose Bowl—keeps the Bruins in line to win the South Division title. If they beat rival USC for the fourth consecutive season, they'll be in the conference title game for the third time in five years.
The 4.09 yards allowed per play at Utah was UCLA's best performance in a Pac-12 game since October 2013 and marked its second strong defensive effort in a row on the road. The Bruins won 41-0 at Oregon State two weeks ago, their first road shutout since 1987.
20. Mississippi State Bulldogs
34 of 53
Average rating: 21.4
Week 12 result: Won 51-50 at Arkansas
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Ole Miss
Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3 SEC) has won five of six, including two straight conference road games, with senior quarterback Dak Prescott continuing his one-man show in relative anonymity.
Prescott threw for 508 yards and five touchdowns and ran for two scores, giving him 32 total TDs this season. A Heisman Trophy candidate for much of last season—at least until the Bulldogs' 9-0 start came to an end—Prescott is putting up better overall numbers this year but without much fanfare.
“The dirty little secret in Starkville is that, while Mississippi State isn't in the title picture, Prescott is better in 2015,” Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. “Significantly better.”
19. Northwestern Wildcats
35 of 53
Average rating: 20.6
Week 12 result: Won 13-7 at Wisconsin
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Illinois in Chicago (Soldier Field)
Northwestern (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten) failed to score 20 points for the fifth time this season but earned its third win in such a situation thanks to a defense that registered six sacks and forced five turnovers.
The Wildcats had 209 yards and only 60 through the air, gaining just 2.99 yards per play, and their 4.53 yards per play for the season ranks 119th in FBS. Despite that overall lack of production, sophomore Justin Jackson is third in the Big Ten with 1,172 rushing yards.
17. (tie) Oregon Ducks
36 of 53
Average rating: 17.8
Week 12 result: Won 48-28 vs. USC
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Oregon State
Oregon (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12) takes a five-game win streak into the Civil War, playing better than almost anyone else in the country. And that's been timed perfectly with the healthy return of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., whose performance during the run has been key.
The Eastern Washington transfer had season highs of 407 yards and six touchdowns against USC, giving him 18 passing TDs and 19 total scores since coming back from a broken finger. He's completed 30 of 37 passes for 612 yards the last two weeks against Stanford and the Trojans, the North Division champ and a possible South winner, respectively.
Oregon has jumped to fourth in FBS in yards per play, now gaining 7.19 per snap and 536.7 per game.
17. (tie) Ole Miss Rebels
37 of 53
Average rating: 17.8
Week 12 result: Won 38-17 vs. LSU
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Mississippi State
Ole Miss (8-3, 5-2 SEC) scored the first 24 points and the final 14 to beat LSU for just the fifth time this century and keep its faint hope of a West Division title alive.
The Rebels would need to win the Egg Bowl and hope Alabama loses at Auburn, but finishing second would still be a significant accomplishment.
Ole Miss lost a fumble to LSU but has just three turnovers in its last three games. It gave the ball away 19 times in the first eight contests.
16. Navy Midshipmen
38 of 53
Average rating: 17.6
Week 12 result: Won 44-21 at Tulsa
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 at Houston
Navy (9-1, 7-0 American) is making the most of its first season of conference play, winning every such league game it's played to put itself in position for the West Division title. That's also enabled the Midshipmen, who as an independent struggled to get much credit for their consistent play, to have a shot at their most significant bowl bid since the 1964 Cotton Bowl.
This move to a league has also thrust senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds into consideration for the Heisman Trophy. The FBS career leader in rushing touchdowns (84) has scored on the ground 18 times this season with 1,009 yards on 201 carries, pacing a run offense that ranks second nationally at 348.4 yards per game.
This is Navy's sixth season with at least nine wins since 2004.
15. TCU Horned Frogs
39 of 53
Average rating: 14.4
Week 12 result: Lost 30-29 at Oklahoma
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 vs. Baylor
TCU (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) has lost its past two as the injuries it has dealt with all season have reached critical levels. Top receiver Josh Doctson is out for the remainder of the year, and quarterback Trevone Boykin didn't play on Saturday, his absence contributing to a 30-13 deficit after three quarters.
Yet the Horned Frogs kept fighting, scoring 16 fourth-quarter points and then opting to go for the win with 51 seconds left after third-string QB Bram Kohlhausen threw a touchdown pass to Emanuel Porter. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, though, effectively ending TCU's hope for at least a share of the Big 12 title.
TCU can still play a role in who wins the league, though, since Baylor would take first place with a win and an Oklahoma State win over Oklahoma.
14. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 13.2
Week 12 result: Won 52-13 vs. Chattanooga
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Florida
Florida State (9-2, 6-2 ACC) has spent the last few seasons being in the position where its regular-season finale served as a final tuneup before a conference championship game. That's not the case this year, the Seminoles having finished second in the Atlantic Division to Clemson.
But to be in position to win 10 games for the fourth straight year, despite having 11 players drafted into the NFL during the spring, needs to be noted when assessing how the 2015 Seminoles have performed.
Sophomore running back Dalvin Cook, the school single-season record holder with 1,475 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, has carried an offense that was young nearly everywhere else. Sean Maguire has supplanted Everett Golson at quarterback, throwing seven TD passes in the past four games.
13. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 11.7
Week 12 result: Won 35-22 vs. California
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Notre Dame
Stanford (9-2, 8-1 Pac-12) will be playing in the conference title game in Santa Clara, California, on Dec. 5 after clinching the North Division on Saturday. And like many of the wins this season, it came because of a heavy dose of running back Christian McCaffrey.
The sophomore had a school-record 389 all-purpose yards that included 192 rushing yards, a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown and a 49-yard TD catch. McCaffrey averages 255.2 yards per game, nearly 49 yards better than anyone else in the country, and his 1,546 rushing yards are second in FBS.
As impressive as McCaffrey has been all year, Stanford will need to get more production from quarterback Kevin Hogan through the air. The senior is the winningest passer in school history, but in three of his last four games he threw for 169 yards or fewer, including 96 against California.
12. North Carolina Tar Heels
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Average rating: 11.6
Week 12 result: Won 30-27 (in OT) at Virginia Tech
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at North Carolina State
North Carolina (10-1, 7-0 ACC) probably doesn't have a shot to make the playoffs because of the way its season began, with an increasingly mind-boggling loss to South Carolina and a pair of wins against FCS opponents. But there aren't many teams playing better than the Tar Heels, even with them needing to go to overtime to beat Virginia Tech.
Ten straight wins have UNC as the Coastal Division champion, its first title since winning the ACC in 1980. The contributions have come from all over, most notably senior quarterback Marquise Williams, who's responsible for 28 touchdowns and gaining 8.52 yards per play to tie for third-best in FBS with TCU's Trevone Boykin.
UNC's defense has slipped of late, allowing 79 points over the past three games, but after allowing 497.8 yards and 39 points per game last season, it's giving up 384.1 yards and 19.5 points.
11. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 11.4
Week 12 result: Won 20-14 (in OT) vs. Florida Atlantic
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Florida State
Florida (10-1, 7-1 SEC) is lucky to still be in contention for the playoffs—and probably even more fortunate it played in such an underachieving division in order to clinch a conference title-game appearance—since its last three games have been nothing like what you'd expect from one of the better teams in the country.
The Gators needed overtime to beat a Conference USA team with two wins on the season, that coming a week after a sluggish 10-point victory at South Carolina (who followed that up by losing to The Citadel). And before that, they survived 9-7 at home to Vanderbilt.
First-year coach Jim McElwain has far exceeded expectations in 2015, but the momentum from earlier in the season is completely gone. And he knows it.
“Here's the visual: When you guys go to the seafood market, or go to the grocery store, and you see all those dead fish on ice, that's the energy they are playing with right now,” McElwain said, per Scott Carter of GatorZone.com. "How excited are you to hang out with that dead fish?”
10. Michigan Wolverines
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Average rating: 10.8
Week 12 result: Won 28-16 at Penn State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Ohio State
Michigan (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) is in a three-way tie with Michigan State and Ohio State for the East Division lead, though to win the title, it will need a victory and help from the Spartans. A spot in the conference championship is one of many things that didn't seem achievable before head coach Jim Harbaugh's first season.
The win at Penn State saw the Wolverines defense return to the level it showed earlier this year during three consecutive shutout victories. It allowed 207 yards, including just 70 on the ground, buckling down in the red zone to limit the Nittany Lions to three field goals in as many possessions. Two of those came in the fourth quarter to stay ahead 21-16.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 9.7
Week 12 result: Lost 45-35 vs. Baylor
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Oklahoma
Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) made several significant comebacks during its 11-game win streak but couldn't pull another one out, and as a result, its playoff chances took a hit along with the hope for a conference title.
The Cowboys would need to knock off rival Oklahoma and have Baylor lose its final two games after they allowed 700 yards at home. The inability to balance out Mason Rudolph's third 400-yard passing game of the season with any run production was a significant factor.
Though not a strong rushing team, OK State had only eight yards on the ground due to six sacks and nine negative run plays.
8. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 7.6
Week 12 result: Won 17-14 at Ohio State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 vs. Penn State
Michigan State (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) has somehow managed to win its two biggest road games this season despite never having a lead with time on the clock. That seemingly impossible achievement has the Spartans in position to win the East Division title and has them in great position to make the playoffs after beating Ohio State for the second time in three years.
Michael Geiger's 41-yard field goal as time expired created a three-way tie atop the East standings. MSU will win the division and make its second Big Ten title game appearance in three years with a victory against Penn State.
Despite not having senior quarterback Connor Cook because of injury, MSU rotated two backups at the position but relied mostly on a run game to keep Ohio State off the field. Its final drive ate up the last 4:07 of the clock.
MSU's defense was also at its absolute best in 2015, holding the Buckeyes to 132 yards last Saturday.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 7.4
Week 12 result: Lost 17-14 vs. Michigan State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Michigan
Ohio State (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) lost for the first time in 24 games and the first time in conference play during the regular season in four years under head coach Urban Meyer. The defending champs, who looked shaky much of this season, finally fell on their faces after a pathetic 132-yard performance at home to a Michigan State team that allowed 499 yards to Nebraska two games earlier.
The horrible performance prompted several Buckeyes stars to speak out against the play-calling, most notably Ezekiel Elliott, who had 33 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries after rushing for 100-plus yards in 15 straight games.
Meyer didn't like the way Elliott vented after the game but acknowledges his lack of involvement in the offense was a mistake, telling Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod, “In hindsight, feed him. He has a way of making yards.”
6. Iowa Hawkeyes
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Average rating: 6.4
Week 12 result: Won 40-20 vs. Purdue
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 at Nebraska
Iowa (11-0, 7-0 Big Ten) is the only unbeaten team left in the conference and one of just two perfect teams left in the country as the West Division champion who will be playing for its first Big Ten title since 1990 in two weeks.
But the uncertainty around the Hawkeyes remains—so much so that finishing up a perfect regular season still doesn't feel like a given. That could be due to the fact they haven't faced a team that currently holds a winning record since Oct. 17 and have only played three such teams this season.
The numbers don't fly off the page either. Iowa averages 418.3 yards per game, which ranks 53rd in FBS and just behind rival Iowa State (which is 3-8 and just fired its coach).
5. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 6.2
Week 12 result: Won 45-35 at Oklahoma State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 27 at TCU
Baylor (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) has an offense so explosive it apparently doesn't matter who's playing in it, putting up 700 yards on the road against a previously unbeaten opponent despite losing a quarterback and running back to injuries along the way.
Jarrett Stidham, himself a replacement after starting quarterback Seth Russell was lost for the year, had to leave the game with a leg injury. Sophomore Chris Johnson, who had converted to a receiver, came in and accounted for three touchdowns in the second half.
“We knew he had it in him,” Baylor head coach Art Briles said, per Kevin Lyttle of the Austin American-Statesman. “We've seen it in practice.”
Leading rusher Shock Linwood was also knocked out because of an injury, though Baylor still ran for 304 yards.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 4.8
Week 12 result: Won 19-16 vs. Boston College (in Fenway Park, Boston)
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Stanford
Notre Dame (10-1) had only two goals for its final tuneup before the big finale against Stanford: to avoid looking shaky against a struggling opponent and to not pick up any more notable injuries. The Fighting Irish failed in both areas.
They led 19-3 before giving up two late touchdowns, but more troubling was poor play in the red zone that saw the Irish score only four of seven times with two field goals. They turned the ball over five times, including three interceptions by DeShone Kizer, along with a season-low 52.6 percent completion rate.
But the injury problem was much bigger. Running back C.J. Prosise returned from a concussion only to hurt his leg, and cornerback KeiVarae Russell is out for the season with a broken leg.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 3.8
Week 12 result: Won 30-29 vs. TCU
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Oklahoma State
Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) was the forgotten team in the conference by virtue of its October loss to rival Texas, but after knocking off two-thirds of the Big 12's best teams, it is a win away from not just a league title, but very possibly a playoff bid.
The Sooners' win over TCU happened despite losing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a head injury and a poor fourth quarter that saw them nearly blow a 30-13 lead. If not for Steven Parker batting down a two-point pass with 51 seconds left, they might have lost.
Mayfield took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first half and didn't play in the second half, and backup Trevor Knight was 5-of-16 with an interception. The school's Twitter account posted Monday that Mayfield has passed his concussion tests and should play at Oklahoma State if there are no setbacks.
Oklahoma will win the Big 12 with a victory over OK State on Saturday.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 1.8
Week 12 result: Won 56-6 vs. Charleston Southern
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at Auburn
Alabama (10-1, 7-1 SEC) often gets dinged for its tradition of playing a lower-division team the week before the Iron Bowl, but it was still an impressive effort to blow out a team that qualified for the FCS playoffs. And considering the trouble Florida and Georgia had against lesser foes on Saturday, that made the performance even better.
The 56 points were a season high for the Crimson Tide and came as the result of production from a variety of participants. Alabama's starters were done early—not before quarterback Jake Coker and running back Derrick Henry each had two touchdowns—and then backups got involved as well. It also got a pair of punt return TDs from Cyrus Jones, who has an FBS-leading three scores on punt runbacks.
“The offense has the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, the defense might be the best in college football and now even special teams are finding the end zone as well,” Bleacher Report's Christopher Walsh wrote. “In short, Alabama is peaking at the right time and doesn’t feel it’s played its best game yet heading into the annual regular-season finale at Auburn.”
The Crimson Tide still need a win to clinch a spot in the SEC title game. A loss and a win by Ole Miss—the only team to beat them this season—would prevent that and also likely knock the Tide out of the playoffs.
1. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 1.4
Week 12 result: Won 33-13 vs. Wake Forest
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 28 at South Carolina
Clemson (11-0, 8-0 ACC) finished up its first perfect conference slate since 1982, winners of 14 straight games overall, avoiding much of a letdown against the second of three straight losing opponents to end the regular season.
Deshaun Watson piloted an offense that topped 500 yards for the seventh straight game, with the sophomore quarterback going for at least 380 yards of total offense in five of those contests. Watson averages 326 yards of production and has accounted for 32 touchdowns, his 70.1 percent completion rate third in FBS.
The Tigers have the No. 5 defense in the country, allowing 278.2 yards per game despite having a minus-one turnover ratio.
Stats courtesy of cfbstats.com unless noted otherwise. Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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