Top 50 NCAA Football Rankings: Week 11

*Editor's Note: Graphic by @SSN_Troy, author is @BlitzCfb

Week 11 saw a shake in the top 4 as Oklahoma lost at Baylor. Most teams in the top 10 that were behind Oklahoma have moved up a spot while OU is in a position where they will need help to get in the playoff. Week 12 features big games that includes Michigan State at Ohio State, SMU at Cincinnati and Oregon at Utah. All of those games have playoff implications. Without further adieu, here is the latest edition of the top 50.

1. Georgia (10-0, 8-0) ↔️

Georgia faced the best offense they’ve seen all year & they only gave up 17 points. The Bulldogs are now 5-0 against top 50 opponents. They have an easy remaining schedule before the SEC Championship Game which will likely be against Alabama.

2. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0) ↔️

Cincinnati won with a bit of style points against USF on Friday night. Sure, they looked average at times, but they dominated for most of that game. Cincy has some tough games coming up. They play SMU this week & then travel to East Carolina before the AAC Championship Game.

3. Alabama (9-1, 5-1) ⬆️1

Alabama had an easy win over New Mexico State on Saturday. They play two top 50 teams to end the regular season: Arkansas & at Auburn. Not to mention, they have to play Georgia in the SEC Championship Game if they make it there. Also, if they make it to Atlanta, Georgia will be more fresh coming off of games against Charleston Southern & Georgia Tech.

4. Oregon (9-1, 6-1) ⬆️1

Oregon is in the top 4 after dominating Washington State for three of the four quarters. The Ducks have a bad loss, but their quality win over Ohio State outweighs that. Oregon has another chance at a great win when they travel to Utah on Saturday. It could be a preview of the Pac 12 Championship Game.

5. Ohio State (9-1, 7-0) ⬆️1

The Buckeyes made a statement on offense against Purdue. The OSU defense still has some question marks. We will know how good they are when they play Michigan State this weekend. That game is a must win for both teams.

6. Michigan State (9-1, 6-1) ⬆️1

Sparty had a nice bounce back win over Maryland. Like I previously mentioned, Michigan State has a huge clash against Ohio State in Columbus. MSU has to win this game if they want to win the Big Ten & make the playoff. The secondary is a major concern against OSU’s elite receivers though.

7. Oklahoma State (9-1, 6-1) ⬆️1

Oklahoma State has been playing the best football out of any Big 12 team. They bullied TCU on Saturday. The Cowboys own wins over Baylor & Kansas State as well. They are still looking for that signature win which could come against Oklahoma in two weeks.

8. Michigan (9-1, 6-1) ⬆️1

Jim Harbaugh historically has had a hard time winning big games on the road. His team did just that on Saturday. Their defensive line took advantage of a poor PSU offensive line. Michigan has Maryland this week before “The Game” against Ohio State in Ann Arbor.

9. Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0) ⬆️1

Wake Forest finally got their first top 25 win of the year when they beat NC State on Saturday night. Wake didn’t even play their best offensive game. Sam Hartman threw 3 picks, but the Deacs still found a way to win. Wake needs one more win to clinch a spot in the ACC Championship Game. They can do that at Clemson this week.

10. Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1) ⬇️7

Oklahoma slides from 3 to 10 after their loss at Baylor. The Sooner offense was shut down by Dave Aranda’s defense. Oklahoma needs to win out now, but that will be a tough task because they still play Oklahoma State to end the regular season. OU can still get in the playoff, but they need chaos.

11. Notre Dame (9-1) ↔️

Notre Dame’s defense was really impressive against the Virginia offense. It also has to be factored in that Brennan Armstrong did not play. With the Irish’s last two games being against Georgia Tech & Stanford, I don’t think they will be able to sneak into the top 4.

12. UTSA (10-0, 6-0) ↔️

Shocker, UTSA won again. This is what’s bad about a 4 team playoff. UTSA deserves a shot at the title, but they won’t even sniff the top 10. In a 12 team playoff they could possibly get in. The Roadrunners have their toughest test against UAB on Saturday. If they win, they will make the CUSA Championship Game.

13. Baylor (8-2, 5-2) ⬆️3

Baylor moves up 3 spots after their big home win over Oklahoma. They completely shut down Caleb Williams & the Oklahoma offense, which is a tough task in itself. The Bears have to focus because they play at Kansas State this week. This could be a trap game for Baylor.

14. Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2) ⬇️1

Ole Miss moved down one spot despite beating Texas A&M handily at home. The reason for that is because Baylor has the better win (vs Oklahoma). The Rebels have two winnable games left to get to 10 wins. They play Vanderbilt & then Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.

15. Houston (9-1, 7-0) ↔️

The Cougars have clinched a spot in the AAC Championship Game after their win over Temple. Houston has now won 9 straight games. They have one of the longest winning streaks in the nation, yet the committee won’t rank them. Cincinnati could use Houston being ranked because it would add a quality win to their resume.

16. BYU (8-2) ⬆️1

BYU had a bye this past week. The Cougars have a good chance at getting to 10 wins because they have Georgia Southern & USC left on the schedule. All BYU is playing for right now is a good bowl game. They do need teams to lose if they want a New Years Six bowl.

17. Texas A&M (7-3, 4-3) ⬇️3

Texas A&M’s loss to Ole Miss on Saturday pretty much ended their hopes for a SEC title. Not all is lost for the Aggies as they can still get to 10 wins. They play FCS Prairie View A&M & LSU in the next two weeks before their bowl game. Jimbo Fisher is doing a nice job building this program up.

18. San Diego State (9-1, 5-1) ↔️

San Diego State narrowly escaped Nevada late Saturday night. The Aztec defense held Nevada to 8 rushing yards. That win gives San Diego State the drivers seat in the MW west division. SDSU has a chance to do something special this season.

19. Pitt (8-2, 5-1) ↔️

Pitt needed overtime to beat North Carolina on Thursday. The Panthers still have a must win game against Virginia this week. If they win, they clinch the ACC Coastal & a spot in the ACC Championship Game. 10 wins is a very realistic possibility for Pitt.

20. Louisiana (9-1, 7-0) ⬆️1

Just like Houston, it is mind boggling how Louisiana isn’t ranked by the committee. They had a bad loss to Texas, but they also beat Appalachian State handily. The Ragin Cajuns have a chance to prove themselves against Liberty this week though.

21. Arkansas (7-3, 3-3) ⬆️3

Arkansas claimed the boot this weekend after beating LSU in double overtime. The Hogs have been on a three game winning streak that includes a top 50 win over Mississippi State. No matter how this season finishes, Sam Pittman has done a great job at Arkansas.

22. Wisconsin (7-3, 5-2) ⬆️3

Wisconsin is playing their best football at the right time. They dominated Northwestern to win their 6th straight game. Right now the Badgers are tied for first in the Big Ten west with Iowa. They need to beat Nebraska & likely Minnesota to make it to Indy.

23. NC State (7-3, 4-2) ⬇️3

NC State doesn’t move down a whole lot after their loss at Wake Forest by 3. With that loss however, they can’t make the ACC Championship Game. The Wolf Pack can still finish with 10 wins though. Their remaining regular season games are against Syracuse & North Carolina.

24. Iowa (8-2, 5-2) ⬆️3

Iowa picked up a huge win against Minnesota on Saturday. That win puts them in a tie for first in the Big Ten west with Wisconsin. They need to win out & hope Wisconsin loses because the Badgers own the tiebreaker due to a head-to-head win.

25. Appalachian State (8-2, 5-1) ⬆️3