The college football postseason picture is still hazy and chaotic, but things are starting to become more clear.
Oklahoma’s loss to Baylor was a pivotal moment. For the Sooners, it might just be a playoff death blow. For a team like Cincinnati, it might just be the break they needed.
Michigan, having lost almost every meaningful game in recent years, finally won a crucial one against Penn State. And while we thought Georgia might be tested against Tennessee, we thought wrong.
As the season begins to wind down, our latest college football power rankings are starting to feel more concrete. Although there are still meaningful matchups ahead, teams are running out of time to make an impression.
Here are the latest rankings. Please note that all CFB odds and lines are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of 10 AM EST on Monday, November 15.
50. Texas Tech (6-4) Last Week Unranked
For a team that has fired a coach and already hired his replacement, Texas Tech is having a decent year. The Red Raiders are bowl eligible, and they took down Iowa State with Jonathan Garibay‘s game-winning 62-yard field goal. Ridiculous.
49. Liberty (7-3) Last Week Unranked
48. Northern Illinois (7-3) Last Week Unranked
47. Air Force (7-3) Last Week Unranked
46. East Carolina (6-4) Last Week Unranked
45. Virginia (6-4) ⬇️ 7
Saturday’s game against Notre Dame went sideways in a hurry. QB Brennan Armstrong‘s rib injury certainly played a massive role, and his absence loomed large. It doesn’t get much easier as a road trip to Pitt awaits.
44. Minnesota (6-4) ⬇️ 9
43. Tennessee (5-5) ⬇️ 1
42. Nevada (7-3) ⬇️ 2
41. UAB (7-3) ⬆️ 9
40. Iowa State (6-4) ⬇️ 11
Iowa State lost as a big chalk — the latest turn in a weird year for the Cyclones. A year with enormous expectations is unraveling quickly, and Oklahoma is up next.
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39. UCLA (6-4) ⬆️ 5
38. Coastal Carolina (8-2) ⬇️ 19
37. Fresno State (8-3) ⬆️ 4
36. Clemson (7-3) ⬆️ 1
35. Penn State (6-4) ⬇️ 5
Amid a sea of coaching rumors, James Franklin lost for the fourth time in five games. Penn State fought valiantly against Michigan, but it wasn’t enough.
Their schedule has been brutal, which is why Penn State doesn’t fall further. And with Michigan State still looming at the end of the season, it could get worse.
34. Purdue (6-4) ⬇️ 9
33. Kansas State (7-3) ⬆️ 13
32. Utah State (8-2) ⬆️ 4
31. Mississippi State (6-4) ⬆️ 8
30. NC State (7-3) ⬇️ 8
The Wolfpack had no shortage of chances against Wake Forest, but NC State simply couldn’t take control of that game. While I still like their weapons and balance, this was a tough loss. They can still move up with wins over Syracuse and UNC to close out the regular season.
29. SMU (8-2) ⬆️ 3
28. Arizona State (7-3) ⬆️ 6
27. Appalachian State (8-2) ⬆️ 6
26. Auburn (6-4) ⬇️ 11
25. Kentucky (7-3) ⬆️ 4
Three consecutive losses took a lot of wind out of their sails, but Kentucky beat Vanderbilt (as expected) last weekend to get back on track. They’ll look to carry that into Saturday’s game against New Mexico State before facing their rivals in Louisville.
24. Pittsburgh (8-2) ⬆️ 7
The Panthers needed overtime and a little help from Mother Nature to get past North Carolina on Thursday, hanging on for the win after blowing an early lead. They lead the ACC Coastal Conference and have two manageable opponents remaining against Virginia and Syracuse.
23. San Diego State (9-1) ⬆️ 3
San Diego State just beat a quality Nevada team largely thanks to punter/kicker Matt Araiza, who made three field goals and averaged nearly 56 yards across five punts. They’ll play an improving UNLV team next.
22. Utah (7-3) ⬆️ 1
Last week’s game against Arizona was closer than it should have been, but the Utes still won by nine. Utah will need to step up against Oregon in Week 12, although playing at home will help.
21. Louisiana (9-1) ⬆️ 6
Losses from other teams allow Louisiana to climb up the rankings a bit. The Ragin’ Cajuns haven’t lost since Week 1 and only seem to be getting better as the season progresses. A massive tussle at Liberty is up next.
Can LSU stay hot with its 10th straight win when the Ragin’ Cajuns face Liberty in CFB Week 12? (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
20. Iowa (8-2) ↔️
Iowa beat Minnesota in another ugly win. While Alex Padilla hasn’t been superb, the offense seems to run better with him under center. Illinois is on deck at home.
19. Wisconsin (7-3) ⬆️ 5
The Badgers just keep winning. The loss of running back Chez Mellusi is a major blow, although freshman Braelon Allen stepped right in and was superb against Northwestern. In line to win the Big Ten West, Wisconsin can seal the deal with wins over Nebraska and at Minnesota.
18. Arkansas (7-3) ⬆️ 3
I’ve had Arkansas ranked higher than most throughout, largely because I really like how hard they play against a difficult schedule. The Hogs pulled off some magic against LSU in OT on Saturday for their third win in a row.
Speaking of schedule, a trip to Alabama is up next.
17. Houston (9-1) ⬆️ 1
After losing their opener to Texas Tech, Houston has won nine straight games. The latest, a 37-8 win over Temple, was drama-free. The Cougars will look to close out the season strong with wins over Memphis and UConn.
16. Texas A&M (7-3) ⬇️ 5
While the Aggies’ defense didn’t quite break against Ole Miss, a lack of offense ultimately doomed them. The loss also likely crushes A&M’s hopes of making the SEC Championship Game.
15. BYU (8-2) ⬆️ 2
The Cougars enjoyed a bye last week, and their loss to Baylor suddenly looks like a quality defeat. BYU will close out the year against Georgia Southern and USC.
14. UTSA (10-0) ↔️
UTSA needed a solid fourth quarter to squeeze past one-win Southern Miss, but a win will do. The undefeated Roadrunners will need to be much sharper against UAB in Week 12.
13. Oklahoma (9-1) ⬇️ 8
It’s not just that Oklahoma lost to Baylor; it’s how they looked doing it. QBs Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler both struggled and the defense was meh.
It just wasn’t enough, and now there’s no time to rest. Oklahoma has Iowa State and Oklahoma State to close out the year.
12. Wake Forest (9-1) ↔️
The Demon Deacons rallied after a close loss to North Carolina with a huge win over North Carolina State. QB Sam Hartman threw three picks but also registered four touchdowns. Most importantly, Wake moved closer to the ACC Championship Game.
HUGE game at Clemson next Saturday.
11. Baylor (8-2) ⬆️ 5
What a win. Dave Aranda‘s second season at Baylor has been a smashing success, and his defensive background was on display against Oklahoma. The Bears have an intriguing game coming up at Kansas State before closing out the regular season against Texas Tech.
10. Ole Miss (8-2) ⬆️ 3
- National Championship Odds: +30000
The Rebels earned a win over Texas A&M, one of the hottest teams in college football. QB Matt Corral was solid, although this result was more about defense. Ole Miss plays Vandy next and then Mississippi State in a fascinating Egg Bowl.
9. Notre Dame (9-1) ⬆️ 1
- National Championship Odds: +10000
The Irish are quietly inching into the CFP conversation, and Saturday’s dominant win over Virginia doesn’t hurt. The issue, however, is that their schedule doesn’t have much meat left, as Brian Kelly‘s team plays Georgia Tech and Stanford to close out the year.
8. Oklahoma State (9-1) ⬆️ 1
- National Championship Odds: +8000
The Pokes absolutely rolled TCU, which came into Saturday’s game on a high after beating Baylor. If Oklahoma State’s offense can play like this, it has a chance to thrive. They’ll head to Texas Tech next and then it’s Bedlam time.
7. Michigan State (9-1) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +8000
A week after falling to Purdue, Sparty rallied with a double-digit win over Maryland. Kenneth Walker III was his normal brilliant self, which is exactly what Michigan State will need (and then some) against Ohio State next Saturday.
6. Oregon (9-1) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +2500
The Ducks weren’t dominant against Washington State, but that doesn’t change their ranking here (for now). We’re going to learn a lot about this team soon, as Oregon travels to Utah next week for a massive Pac-12 showdown.
5. Michigan (9-1) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +4000
It wasn’t pretty or easy, but give Michigan credit for upending Penn State on the road. It’s the kind of win that has eluded Jim Harbaugh since arriving in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines head to Maryland next week and then come home to play Ohio State. If they win out, they’re in the playoff.
4. Cincinnati (10-0) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +5000
It’s becoming routine for Cincinnati to flirt with danger against a bad team, and there were flashes of that against South Florida. While the Bearcats once again failed to cover a big spread, they did win. Fun one against SMU upcoming in our CFB bet of the day.
3. Ohio State (9-1) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +400
Ohio State was a three-touchdown favorite against Purdue and still covered in a statement win. QB C.J. Stroud carved up the Boilermakers with five touchdowns, and the offense was on fire all game. They’ll need to sustain that firepower with huge tests coming up against Michigan State and Michigan.
2. Alabama (9-1) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: +350
Alabama clobbered New Mexico State, as expected. QB Bryce Young was surgical and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was disruptive yet again. With Texas A&M’s loss, the Crimson Tide can lock up the SEC West with a win over Arkansas next week.
1. Georgia (10-0) ↔️
- National Championship Odds: -120
Georgia briefly looked like it might be in for a long afternoon against Tennessee, but order was quickly restored. The best team in college football by a wide margin plays Charleston Southern next in what should be a rout according to our CFB gameday odds.
