College football rankings: Projecting the Playoff teams, NCAA top 25 for Week 11

It's safe to say Alabama learned from the fourth-quarter debacle against Texas on Sept. 9. 

The Crimson Tide applied those lessons in a 42-28 victory against LSU on Saturday in a SEC West showdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The first half of Saturday's matchup was a showcase for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and Jalen Milroe. By halftime, Milroe had 165 passing yards, 102 rushing yards and three TDs. Daniels had 163 passing yards, 137 rushing yards and three TDs. It was 21-21. 

The Crimson Tide held a 35-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter, and that is when the Tigers unraveled in stunning fashion. Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner tipped a Daniels’ pass, which Terrion Arnold intercepted. A horse-collar tackle penalty on Harold Perkins Jr. on Milroe set up a Jase McClellan touchdown run. Then, Turner knocked Daniels out of the game on a roughing the passer penalty. Ball game. 

MORE: Michigan-Penn State, Georgia-Ole Miss highlight Week 11

Milroe finished with 374 total yards (219 pass, 155 rush) and four rushing TDs. 

Alabama grinded out the rest, as coach Nick Saban continues to do with a team that is going to complicate the College Football Playoff race for the other four conferences in November. 

Yes, Texas beat Alabama 34-24 in Week 2, so the Longhorns should be ranked ahead of the Crimson Tide. The Longhorns cannot afford another loss. Same for Florida State, who has the same marquee win against LSU but a weaker schedule. Washington and Oregon are ahead of the Crimson Tide, but they cannot feel comfortable knowing the conference hasn’t had a playoff berth since 2016. Ditto for whoever does not win the Big Ten East race among Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. 

If the Crimson Tide win out, then, of course, they are in. But Georgia likely would be in, too. Alabama is not just going to sit out of the race in November like last season. 

Alabama is very much alive and getting more and more dangerous with each week. 

Here is a full look at the Sporting News top 25 rankings – and how the second set of College Football Playoff rankings – might look this week. 

Top 25 for Week 11

Top four CFP teams 

1. Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) 

The Buckeyes trailed Rutgers 9-7 at halftime and it actually could have been worse if not for a pair of red-zone stops by the defense. TreVeyon Henderson had 208 total yards (128 rush, 80 receiving) and Marvin Harrison caught two fourth-quarter TDs to boost his Heisman chances as the Bucks pulled away for a 28-9 victory. Ohio State's grit-and-win formula works but might cost them the No 1 overall ranking after Georgia's impressive win over Missouri.

2. Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC)

The Bulldogs will overtake the No. 1 spot after a 30-21 victory against Missouri that wasn't perfect. Georgia took control of the SEC East race (again) after struggling in the first half (again). Carson Beck threw for 254 yards and 2 TDs and Ladd McConkey (7 catches, 95 yards) continues to emerge as his go-to target with Brock Bowers sidelined. 320 lb. DT Nazir Stackhouse and safety Javon Bullard had clutch 4th quarter interceptions for Kirby Smart's defense.

3. Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan might have an uncertain future because of the sign-stealing scandal that led to the firing of staffer Conor Stallions on Friday, but that did not impact anything on the field in a 41-13 blowout against Purdue. The Wolverines jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, J.J. McCarthy (24 of 37, 335 yards) continues to roll and the defense limited the Boilermakers to 269 total yards. One concern for Michigan was the performance of the run game, which averaged just 3.1 yards per carry against Purdue.

 4. Florida State (9-0, 7-0 ACC)

Despite playing without star WRs Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, Jordan Travis threw for 360 yards and a TD and the Noles overcame a slow start for a 24-7 win over Pitt. The defense forced three turnovers and held the Panthers to 0 of 10 on third down. FSU wraps up ACC play against rival Miami in Week 11. The Seminoles have the easiest remaining schedule of the top four teams.  

First two out of CFP 

5. Washington (9-0, 6-0 Pac-12) 

The much-anticipated quarterback duel between Michael Penix Jr. and Caleb Williams did not disappoint – unless you are a fan of defense. Washington beat USC 52-42 in a game where the teams combined for 1,087 total yards. Penix (22 of 30, 256 yards, 2 TDs, INT) was solid, but the running game was the difference. Dillon Johnson (26-256, 4 TDs) led a rushing attack that totaled 7.5 yards per carry. The Huskies remain the top team in the Pac-12 heading into a matchup against Utah. 

6. Oregon (8-1, 5-1, Pac-12) 

Oregon remains the highest-ranked one loss team after blasting Cal 63-19 and padding the Heisman campaign for quarterback Bo Nix (29 of 38, 386 yards, 4 TDs, INT). He added a pair of rushing TDs for a six-TD performance. Dan Lanning got some style points, too, as the Ducks scored touchdowns on their final four possessions to pour it on the Golden Bears. Oregon is averaging nearly 56 points per game at Autzen Stadium this season and has two of its last three games – USC and Oregon State – at home. 

CFP rankings: Rest of top 10 

7. Texas (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) 

Never a dull moment in Texas. The Longhorns blew a 20-point lead in the second half against Kansas State before pulling out a 33-30 victory in OT after the Wildcats went for the win on 4th and goal - and failed. Maalik Murphy (19 of 37, 248 yards, TD, 2 INTs) was erratic, but he still managed to lead another victory in place of injured starter Quinn Ewers. Running back Jonathan Brooks (22 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD) deserves consideration for All-American honors.  Nothing is coming easy for Sark this year, but the Longhorns have an impressive resume and that massive non conference win over Alabama.

8. Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC) 

The Crimson Tide took control of the SEC West race, and they have head-to-head victories against Ole Miss and LSU. Alabama was an impressive 11 of 14 on third down against the Tigers, and Jase McLellan (14-63, TD) and Roydell Williams (6-56, TD) were effective in the running game. The Crimson Tide have road trips to Kentucky and Auburn remaining in SEC play before a possible SEC championship appearance. 

9. Ole Miss (8-1, 5-1 SEC) 

Ole Miss is a clear top 10 team that nobody is really talking about.  The Rebels built a two-TD lead in the second half before holding off Texas A&M in a 38-35 shootout. Jaxson Dart threw for 387 yards and star WR Tre Harris finished with 213 yards and a touchdown as Ole Miss racked up 518 total yards. Lane Kiffin gets another chance to pull an upset next week against Georgia in a massive SEC showdown.

10. Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten)

Safe to say the Nittany Lions were not caught looking ahead to next week. Drew Allar (25 of 34, 240 yards, 4 TDs) helped three receivers hit 50 yards or more, and PSU's defense held Maryland to -49 yards rushing while forcing 4 Terps' turnovers. James Franklin gets another chance to win a big one in Week 11 when the Nittany Lions host Michigan.

CFP rankings: 11-25 

11. Louisville (8-1, 5-1 ACC) 

The Cardinals used a familiar formula to rout Virginia Tech 34-3, led by Isaac Guerendo 146 yards rushing.  The Cardinals defense held the Hokies to 140 total yards as Jeff Brohm kept right on rolling in his first season back home. The Cardinals still have a reasonable path to the ACC championship game, and that continues in Week 11 against Virginia. 

12. Missouri (7-2, 3-2 SEC) 

The Tigers had their chances against Georgia, and an early TD pass to Luther Burden showed they were serious about making it a game. Mizzou took 13-10 lead in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs took over from there.  The Tigers have another mammoth game next week, this time against Tennessee with both teams fighting for a New Years Six at large bid.

13. Utah (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) 

The Utes hammered Arizona State 55-3 to keep their Pac-12 championship game hopes alive in a complete one-sided domination. Bryson Barnes tossed 4 TDs in bounce-back performance after struggling last week against Oregon and Ja'Quinden Jackson added 111 yards and a TD. The Utes travel to face Washington in Week 11. 

14. Tennessee (7-2, 3-2 SEC) 

The Vols jumped out to a 35-3 by halftime in a 59-3 blowout against Jim Mora Jr.'s UConn Huskies. Quarterback Joe Milton was on fire with 254 yards 2 TDs and 5-star freshman Nico Iamaleava (5 of 9, 86 yards, TD) saw extended time.  The playoff committee gave Tennessee a favorable spot last week, and they can increase their stock the next two weeks if they take down Missouri and Georgia. 

15. Oregon State (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) 

The Beavers took advantage of a disastrous end-of-half-sequence by Colorado to score a TD and take control of the Pac-12 road game. Oregon State had 195 rushing yards and held the Buffaloes to -7 rushing yards. DJ Uiagalelei (12-of-24, 223 yards, TD) stayed under control in the duel with Shedeur Sanders. Oregon State plays Stanford before the season-ending stretch against Washington and Oregon. 

16. Oklahoma State (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) 

This one had to be particularly sweet for Mike Gundy, whose team looks totally different than it did early in the season.  Oklahoma State took down Oklahoma in the final installment of Bedlam in a 27-24 led by superstar RB Ollie Gordon II, who has entered the Heisman Trophy conversation. The Cowboys suddenly have a clear path to the Big 12 championship game.

17. Tulane (8-1, 5-0 American) 

Tulane beat East Carolina 13-10 in an ugly road victory to remain atop the American Athletic Conference. Penalties were a problem for Tulane, but Michael Pratt (16 of 25, 213 yards, TD) didn't turn the ball over and Makhi Hughes rushed for a fifth straight 100-yard game. The Green Wave are still on track to return as the Group of 5 team in the New Year's Day Six. 

18. Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2, Big 12)

Well, that was a quick two-week free-fall from the playoff race for Oklahoma. The Sooners lost 27-24 to rival Oklahoma State — a loss made worse because it is the last matchup for the foreseeable future. Dillon Gabriel (26 of 37, 344 yards, TD) kept Oklahoma within three points at halftime, but turnovers and a shaky run defense were again problematic. OU now needs to win out and get some help to have a chance at the Big 12 championship game. 

19. LSU (6-3, 4-2 SEC) 

The Tigers' defense allowed 507 total yards, including 288 yards on the ground, in the loss to Alabama. Jayden Daniels' concussion is a major concern for second-year coach Brian Kelly.  Saturday night's loss was the third this season against a top 10 opponent and could knock the Tigers out of the New Year's Day Six.  LSU hosts Florida in Week 11.

20. Notre Dame (7-3, Independent) 

The Irish's quest for a New Years Six berth likely came to a screeching halt against a fired-up Clemson squad that still isn't even bowl eligible. All-American candidate Jeremiah Trotter's pick six in the second quarter gave the Tigers a 24-6 lead as Sam Hartman struggled mightily, falling to Clemson for the fifth time in his career. Notre Dame has a bye week before Hartman will be against his former team in Wake Forest in Week 12. 

21. Kansas (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) 

Kansas was a road underdog, but the Jayhawks held off Iowa State's rally to pull out a 28-21 win thanks to Jason Bean's 80-yard TD to Lawrence Arnold with 7:51 remaining.  Lance Leipold has a chance to get Kansas to the Big 12 championship game with wins over Texas Tech and Kansas State the next two weeks.

22. Iowa (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) 

The Hawkeye offense just keeps getting worse, but they are back in the Top 25 after beating Northwestern 10-7 at Wrigley field on a 52 yard FG by Drew Stevens with 14 seconds left. The Hawkeyes regained control of the Big Ten West with Minnesota's loss to Illinois, and Kirk Ferentz somehow has this team on track to reach the Big Ten championship game.  Iowa hosts a tough Rutgers squad next week in Iowa City.

23. Liberty (9-0, 7-0 C-USA)

The Flames have been in SN's Top 25 for the last three weeks, and they should get the bump that comes with being one of two remaining unbeaten Group of 5 teams. QB Kaidon Salter (16 of 25, 297 yards, 4 TDs) led Liberty to the 56-30 win over Louisiana Tech Saturday and now has five games with at least four total TDs. 

24. North Carolina (7-2, 3-2 ACC)

Look for the Tar Heels to slip back into the Top 25 by virtue of being the final Power 5 team with just two losses.  Drake Maye threw for 244 yards and 4 TDs and Omarion Hampton rushed for 144 yards and 2 TDs as UNC rolled Campbell 59-7. North Carolina could get a shot at Florida State in the ACC championship. The Tar Heels play Duke in Week 11. 

25. Arizona (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12) 

Arizona is one of the hottest teams in the Pac-12 under Jedd Fisch. The Wildcats have beat three straight ranked opponents; a streak that continued with a 27-10 victory against UCLA. Noah Fifita (25 of 32, 300 yards, 3 TDs, INT) continues to play well, and the defense limited the Bruins to 271 total yards. Arizona, which had a 1-16 record through the 2020 and 2021 seasons, is now eligible for a bowl game. The Wildcats play Colorado in Week 11. 

How the Top 25 fared 

Here is a look at how the teams in our top 25 fared in Week 10: