College Football Rankings 2016: Bleacher Report's Week 13 Top 25
Quite often, the aftershocks following a major earthquake can be just as tumultuous as the big one, but that wasn't the case with this most recent weekend of college football. While there were a few tremors that knocked some College Football Playoff contenders out of the race, overall there wasn't much of a shift at the top of the Bleacher Report Top 25.
But look further down the rankings and you'll see plenty of movement.
The B/R poll is voted on by 17 members of our college football staff: writers Greg Couch, Tyler Donohue, Ed Feng, Matt Hayes, David Kenyon, Sanjay Kirpalani, Adam Kramer, Kerry Miller, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Damon Sayles, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh and editors Eric Bowman and Eric Yates.
First-place votes are worth 25 points, with each subsequent vote worth one fewer point all the way down to one for 25th place. The 25 teams with the most poll points make our list, with the rest falling into the "others receiving votes" category.
Check out where everyone stands after Week 12, then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Others Receiving Votes
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Washington State had its eight-game win streak snapped in a 38-24 loss at Colorado, dropping the Cougars into a first-place tie with Washington for the Pac-12's North Division lead with a game to go. Those teams meet Friday in the Apple Cup, and a win there would give WSU its first spot in the conference final and might get it back into the rankings.
Here's the rest of the schools that earned votes but fell short of the Top 25.
- North Carolina (37)
- Washington State (35)
- Virginia Tech (18)
- South Florida (16)
- Ole Miss (13)
- Navy (11)
- Minnesota (2)
- Notre Dame (2)
- Miami, Florida (1)
- Troy (1)
- Wyoming (1)
No. 25 LSU Tigers
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Poll points: 50
Last week's ranking: 20th
Week 12 result: Lost 16-10 vs. Florida
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 24 at Texas A&M
LSU (6-4, 4-3 SEC) got stuffed on the goal line twice in the final 10 seconds to drop a game that was originally scheduled for mid-October in Florida but was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew and moved to Baton Rouge. That shift helped the Gators win the SEC East and handed the Tigers their second home loss in the last three weeks.
Danny Etling threw for 204 yards on 14-of-25 passing, while Derrius Guice ran for 83 yards and a touchdown. Leonard Fournette, who originally wasn't slated to play, ran for 40 yards on 12 carries.
The Tigers only allowed 270 yards, but 98 of them came on a third-quarter touchdown pass that helped give Florida a 10-7 lead.
No. 24 Stanford Cardinal
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Poll points: 54
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 12 result: Won 45-31 at California
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Rice
Stanford (8-3, 6-3 Pac-12) won The Big Game for the seventh straight time, completing its league schedule by giving the ball to Christian McCaffrey early and often.
McCaffrey ran for a career-high 284 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries, capped by a 90-yard score early in the third quarter. He finished with 317 all-purpose yards.
Keller Chryst threw for 198 yards and two TDs on 13-of-23 passing.
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No. 23 Utah Utes
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Poll points: 63
Last week's ranking: 13th
Week 12 result: Lost 30-28 vs. Oregon
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Colorado
Utah (8-3, 5-3 Pac-12) allowed a touchdown pass with two seconds left to lose at home and fall out of the South Division title race.
The Utes took a 28-24 lead with 2:18 left on Evan Moeai's 30-yard touchdown connection with quarterback Troy Williams, who was 20-of-30 for 235 yards passing. Joe Williams ran for 149 yards and a TD, and Utah got a special teams score in the fourth quarter when Oregon muffed a punt and Chase Hansen recovered it in the end zone.
Utah allowed 575 yards, the most it's given up since November 2013.
No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers
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Poll points: 70
Last week's ranking: 25th
Week 12 result: Won 63-37 vs. Missouri
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Vanderbilt
Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) scored its most points in seven years and won easily despite allowing a school-record 743 yards—a consolation prize after Florida's win at LSU eliminated the Volunteers from the SEC East race.
The Vols had 609 yards with 386 on the ground to go along with five rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs ran for 190 yards and two TDs on 10 carries while throwing for 223 yards and three TDs on 15-of-22 passing. John Kelly added 101 rushing yards with a TD, and Alvin Kamara scored twice on the ground.
Tennessee has scored 167 points during its three-game win streak, which is two more than it garnered during its season-opening 5-0 start.
No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies
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Poll points: 89
Last week's ranking: 18th
Week 12 result: Won 23-10 vs. UTSA
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 24 vs. LSU
Texas A&M (8-3) matched its win total from each of the last two seasons and avoided a three-game losing streak despite struggling to score in the red zone.
The Aggies had to settle for three field goals inside UTSA's 20-yard line after Josh Reynolds' 16-yard touchdown catch from Jake Hubenak in the first quarter. Hubenak threw for 248 yards on 19-of-32 passing in his second start in place of the injured Trevor Knight (shoulder).
Trayveon Williams added 80 rushing yards and a 47-yard touchdown run, and A&M held the Roadrunners to 252 total yards, including 48 on the ground.
No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers
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Poll points: 101
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 12 result: Lost 56-28 vs. Oklahoma
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Iowa State
West Virginia (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) fell into a 34-point hole it couldn't climb out of despite a massive rushing performance from Justin Crawford.
The junior ran for 331 yards on 24 carries and helped the Mountaineers cut the deficit to 13 points early in the fourth quarter at 41-28. West Virginia's defense couldn't make a stop after that, and its offense committed four turnovers overall.
Skyler Howard threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-27 passing and ran for 52 yards and two scores.
No. 19 Houston Cougars
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Poll points: 102
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 12 result: Won 36-10 vs. Louisville
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 25 at Memphis
Houston (9-2) lost its shot at making the CFP earlier this season, but it prevented someone else from getting there, knocking Louisville out of the hunt in dominant fashion Thursday.
The Cougars led 31-0 at halftime, scoring on their first offensive play after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff, one of three turnovers forced to give them 18 takeaways this season. Houston scored 10 points off those turnovers while also recording 11 sacks and holding Louisville 36 points below its scoring average.
Greg Ward Jr. threw two touchdown passes, while Duke Catalon had two TD catches and a rushing score in the win. Houston, according to ESPN, is the first team since UCLA in 2000 to beat a pair of Top Five teams in nonconference play in the same regular season. The Cougars opened the year with a win over then-No. 3 Oklahoma.
No. 18 Boise State Broncos
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Poll points: 114
Last week's ranking: 22nd (tied)
Week 12 result: Won 42-25 vs. UNLV
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 25 at Air Force
Boise State (10-1, 6-1 Mountain West) wrapped up a perfect home record (6-0) and reached 10 wins for the ninth time in 11 seasons Friday.
The Broncos, who entered the weekend as the highest-rated non-power conference team, scored 21 points in a little over seven minutes in the first half to build an 18-point lead. Jeremy McNichols had two of his four rushing touchdowns during that span to give him an FBS-leading 22 for the season.
McNichols ran for 206 yards on 31 carries, his third 200-yard effort of the year, while Cedrick Wilson had 172 all-purpose yards, including a 73-yard punt return that set up McNichols' first score.
No. 17 Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Poll points: 156
Last week's ranking: 17th
Week 12 result: Won 28-7 vs. Maryland
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 25 at Iowa
Nebraska (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) wrapped up a perfect home slate (7-0) with ease despite not having quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. for only the second time in the last three seasons.
Armstrong, out with a hamstring injury, saw backup Ryker Fyfe throw for 220 yards and a touchdown on 23-of-37 passing, while Terrell Newby ran for 98 yards and three TDs. Jordan Westerkamp caught his 18th career TD pass and had eight catches for 85 yards.
The Cornhuskers held Maryland to 207 yards and allowed just 11 rushing yards, the fifth time this season they've held an opponent to fewer than 100 on the ground.
No. 16 Western Michigan Broncos
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Poll points: 166
Last week's ranking: 15th
Week 12 result: Won 38-0 vs. Buffalo
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 25 vs. Toledo
Western Michigan (11-0, 7-0 Mid-American) won its 13th consecutive game and recorded its second shutout of the season, putting on a good show after ESPN's College GameDay aired from its Kalamazoo campus.
The Broncos got a career-high 445 passing yards and four touchdowns from senior Zach Terrell, giving him 11,457 yards for his career to become the school's all-time leader. Corey Davis had 13 catches for 173 yards and two TDs to become the Mid-American's career receptions leader and bring him to 4,980 yards, 26 short of the FBS record.
Western Michigan held Buffalo to 268 yards, the fourth time this season it's held a team to fewer than 300.
No. 15 Auburn Tigers
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Poll points: 173
Last week's ranking: 19th
Week 12 result: Won 55-0 vs. Alabama A&M
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Alabama
Auburn (8-3) had a much easier time with its FCS opponent than it did with last year's narrow win over Jacksonville State, breezing to a victory ahead of next week's Iron Bowl.
The Tigers ran for 451 yards and six touchdowns, topping 400 yards for the fourth time in 2016. Freshman Kam Martin had 176 yards and two TDs after rushing for just 144 yards and a score coming in, while Kerryon Johnson ran for 108 yards and a TD.
Jeremy Johnson threw for 147 yards and a TD and ran for two scores, while the Tigers held Alabama A&M to 130 yards. Auburn is now 22-0 all-time against FCS schools.
No. 14 Florida State Seminoles
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Poll points: 178
Last week's ranking: 16th
Week 12 result: Won 45-14 at Syracuse
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Florida
Florida State (8-3, 5-3 ACC) wrapped up league play and had its highest yardage output of the season, as Dalvin Cook became the school's all-time rushing leader.
Cook ran for 225 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries, giving him 4,166 for his career. That surpassed Warrick Dunn's mark of 3,959 yards, while his four TDs gave him 44 to top Greg Allen's record of 43.
Deondre Francois threw for 315 yards and two TDs on 18-of-28 passing, while FSU's defense limited Syracuse to 233 yards. The Seminoles also forced two turnovers.
No. 13 Florida Gators
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Poll points: 187
Last week's ranking: 22nd (tie)
Week 12 result: Won 16-10 at LSU
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Florida State
Florida (8-2, 6-2 SEC) clinched its second consecutive SEC East title thanks to a goal-line stand and one big offensive play.
The Gators stuffed LSU on two plays from the 1-yard line in the final 10 seconds, the second resulting in a fumble recovery from Foster Moreau to end the game. Florida had a pair of takeaways despite allowing 400-plus yards for just the third time this season.
The Gators managed only 270 yards, but 98 of that came on a touchdown pass from Austin Appleby to Tyrie Cleveland that helped give them a 10-7 lead midway through the third quarter. LSU tied the game, and then Florida got a pair of fourth-quarter field goals from Eddie Piniero.
The Gators will take on Alabama in the SEC title game on Dec. 3 in Atlanta in a rematch of last year's final.
No. 12 USC Trojans
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Poll points: 222
Last week's ranking: 14th
Week 12 result: Won 36-14 vs. UCLA
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Notre Dame
USC (8-3, 7-2 Pac-12) won its seventh straight game and will finish no worse than second in the South Division after running over its crosstown rival.
The Trojans trailed 14-7 early in the second quarter before scoring 29 unanswered points. The run started with a 60-yard rushing touchdown from Ronald Jones II, who ran for 121 yards and two scores as USC gained 260 on the ground.
Sam Darnold threw for 267 yards and two TDs on 25-of-36 passing, while the Trojans held UCLA to 266 yards.
USC will win the South if Colorado loses to Utah next week.
No. 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Poll points: 234
Last week's ranking: 12th
Week 12 result: Won 31-6 at TCU
Week 13 matchup: Bye
Oklahoma State (9-2, 7-1 Big 12) won a seventh straight game to set up a Bedlam battle with rival Oklahoma for the conference title December 3.
The Cowboys ran for 334 yards, their most since October 2013. Justice Hill gained 154 rushing yards, and Chris Carson added 146 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Mason Rudolph ran for two scores in addition to passing for 207 yards and a TD.
OK State held an FBS team to single digits in scoring for the first time since November 2013.
No. 10 Louisville Cardinals
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Poll points: 257
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Week 12 result: Lost 36-10 at Houston
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Kentucky
Louisville (9-2) left behind any hope of making the playoffs while falling behind 31-0 in Houston and posting season lows in points and yards Thursday.
Malik Williams fumbled the opening kickoff, which Houston converted into a touchdown on the next play, and it was all downhill from there. The Cardinals played from behind all game, and that resulted in 11 sacks of quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had a season-low 33 rushing yards on 25 carries.
Jackson threw for 211 yards and a TD, his ACC-record 47th score he's accounted for this season, but Louisville finished with only 312 yards, which was 271.2 below its season average.
The Cardinals have lost 20 fumbles this season, including six in their last two games.
No. 9 Colorado Buffaloes
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Poll points: 273
Last week's ranking: 10th
Week 12 result: Won 38-24 vs. Washington State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Utah
Colorado (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12) clinched at least a share of its first South Division title while ending Washington State's eight-game win streak.
The Buffaloes, who were 4-9 last season and have their most wins since 2004, took the lead for good on Sefo Liufau's 11-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the third quarter. Liufau had 453 yards of total offense, throwing for 345 yards and rushing for 108 with three TDs. Phillip Lindsay ran for 144 yards and two scores to become Colorado's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2010.
Colorado gained 603 yards, with Devin Ross catching eight passes for 121 yards. Its defense held Washington State 20.3 points below its season average.
No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions
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Poll points: 283
Last week's ranking: 9th
Week 12 result: Won 39-0 at Rutgers
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Michigan State
Penn State (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten) squandered multiple chances to break open its final road game early but had to wait until the second half before piling on the points.
The Nittany Lions led just 9-0 at halftime on three of Tyler Davis' four field goals, getting their first touchdown on a one-yard run from Saquon Barkley with 12:33 left in the third quarter. Barkley finished with 92 rushing yards.
Trace McSorley threw for 210 yards and a TD, while Tommy Stevens and Andre Robinson added rushing scores. The Lions held Rutgers to 87 yards in recording their first road shutout in nine years.
No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners
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Poll points: 320
Last week's ranking: 7th
Week 12 result: Won 56-28 at West Virginia
Week 13 matchup: Bye
Oklahoma (9-2, 8-0 Big 12) jumped out to a 34-0 lead in snowy Morgantown to win its 15th consecutive league game and continue its climb toward CFP contention after being written off following a 1-2 start.
The Sooners led 21-0 after less than 12 minutes of action thanks to two Baker Mayfield touchdown passes and a scoring run from Samaje Perine, who ran for 160 yards and two TDs. Joe Mixon added 147 yards and a score, and Mayfield ran for two fourth-quarter TDs after West Virginia made it 41-28.
Mayfield threw for 169 yards on 9-of-15 passing with the two TDs and an interception. The Sooners were outgained 579 to 485 and allowed 388 rushing yards but forced four turnovers. Jordan Evans' 80-yard interception return TD helped to give Oklahoma a 41-7 lead early in the third quarter.
The Sooners play for the Big 12 title on Dec. 3 at home against rival Oklahoma State.
No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers
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Poll points: 331
Last week's ranking: 6th
Week 12 result: Won 49-20 at Purdue
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Minnesota
Wisconsin (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) won its fifth straight game and stayed atop the Big Ten West standings behind an efficient offense and strong defense.
The Badgers ran for 221 yards and four touchdowns, getting 112 yards and a TD from Corey Clement, while Bradrick Shaw ran for 68 yards two scores. Alex Hornibrook and Bart Houston each threw TD passes, and Alec Ingold had rushing and receiving scores.
Wisconsin held Purdue to 293 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers, including a 17-yard interception return TD by T.J. Watt.
No. 5 Washington Huskies
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Poll points: 358
Last week's ranking: 8th
Week 12 result: Won 44-18 vs. Arizona State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 25 at Washington State
Washington (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12) ended a 10-game losing streak to Arizona State and beat the Sun Devils at home for the first time in 19 years, getting back on track after losing last week to USC.
The Huskies gained 539 yards and scored the game's first 30 points to reach 10 wins for the first time since 2000. Jake Browning threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-44 passing, but he also threw two interceptions, giving him four picks in the last two games after only three in Washington's first nine contests.
Myles Gaskin ran for 127 yards and a TD, Dante Pettis had seven catches for 105 yards and a score, and Keishawn Bierria returned an onside kick attempt 45 yards for a TD. Washington's defense held Arizona State to 245 yards, including 15 rushing yards.
No. 4 Michigan Wolverines
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Poll points: 374
Last week's ranking: 4th
Week 12 result: Won 20-10 vs. Indiana
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 at Ohio State
Michigan (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) bounced back from last week's loss at Iowa with a sluggish start before finding its offense in the second half to remain tied atop the Big Ten East.
The Wolverines didn't score until midway through the second quarter and didn't find the end zone until 4:02 remained in the third, when De'Veon Smith had the first of his two rushing touchdowns. Smith scored on runs of 34 and 39 yards in a 3:33 span.
Smith ran for 158 yards on 23 carries, while quarterback John O'Korn was just 7-of-16 for 59 yards in place of injured starter Wilton Speight. Michigan's defense held Indiana to 255 yards and a season-low in points.
No. 3 Clemson Tigers
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Poll points: 392
Last week's ranking: 5th
Week 12 result: Won 35-13 at Wake Forest
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. South Carolina
Clemson (10-1, 7-1 ACC) locked up a second straight ACC Atlantic title and moved past last week's home loss to Pittsburgh with 21 first-quarter points.
The Tigers led 28-0 with 12:44 left in the second quarter thanks to three total touchdowns from Deshaun Watson (two rushing and one passing). He threw for 202 yards on 22-of-33 passing and ran for 47 yards on seven carries. Wayne Gallman threw in 161 rushing yards and two scores.
Clemson held Wake Forest to 197 yards, the third time this season it's allowed fewer than 200 yards.
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
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Poll points: 403
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Week 12 result: Won 17-16 at Michigan State
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Michigan
Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) avenged its only loss from last season and stayed alive for the Big Ten East title by holding off the Spartans on the road thanks to some late defense.
After MSU scored with 4:41 left, it went for two to take the lead, but Malik Hooker intercepted the conversion pass. OSU ate some clock before the Spartans had one last drive, which ended quickly after Gareon Conley intercepted a pass with 1:30 to go.
The Buckeyes won despite a season-low 310 yards on offense, with J.T. Barrett only throwing for 86 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-22 passing. He also ran for 105 yards, while Mike Weber ran for 111 yards and a TD as the Buckeyes gained 224 yards on the ground.
OSU allowed 334 yards, including 207 rushing yards, but it forced two turnovers.
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
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Poll points: 425 (17 first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Week 12 result: Won 31-3 vs. Chattanooga
Week 13 matchup: Nov. 26 vs. Auburn
Alabama (11-0) warmed up for the Iron Bowl by strolling to a lackluster win over an FCS school, falling behind 3-0 before deciding to play like a team that's won 23 consecutive games.
The Crimson Tide gained only 332 yards, their second-lowest output of the season, while JK Scott had to punt for a season-high six times. But because their defense only yielded 184 yards and forced two turnovers, the game was never in doubt.
Jalen Hurts threw for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-21 passing and ran for another 68 yards, giving him 803 for a school season rushing record by a quarterback. Damien Harris added 91 rushing yards and a TD, while Calvin Ridley caught seven balls for 94 yards and a score.
All slides written by Brian J. Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
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