AP College Football Poll 2015: Top 25 Rankings for Week 15

In what might be a preview of what's to come from the College Football Playoff committee, Michigan State moved up to third in the final Associated Press poll before bowl games begin.

The Spartans leapfrogged idle Oklahoma, which drops to fourth and remains safe when it comes to snagging a playoff spot. Top-ranked Clemson and second-ranked Alabama stayed in their spots after winning their respective conference championship games.

Here is a look at how the entire Top 25 played out:

Michigan State's gain was obviously Iowa's loss, as the Hawkeyes dropped to No. 6 following their 16-13 defeat. LJ Scott scored from one yard out with 27 seconds remaining to put the Spartans ahead for good, capping off a brilliant 22-play, 82-yard drive that took more than nine minutes off the clock. The drive came after three-and-a-half quarters of Iowa's defense winning the battle up front, but Scott took advantage of a gassed front seven on the final drive for the win.

"We were in the huddle, and I knew I was getting the ball, so I had to get in the end zone," Scott said, per Mike Griffith of MLive. "I just tried to keep my legs moving, man, working hard for those yards. I had to get it done."

Clemson also earned a one-score win over North Carolina in a far more offense-driven affair. Deshaun Watson accounted for five touchdowns and more than 400 total yards, as Clemson put up 608 yards of offense in its 45-37 win. The Tigers will almost certainly be the top seed in the playoff after going through the regular season undefeated.

Alabama got a Heisman-worthy performance from its candidate in Derrick Henry, who rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown in the Tide's 29-15 win over Florida. The Gators were held to 15 rushing yards on 21 carries, as Alabama held the ball for more than 43 minutes in a muscle-flexing win.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter