Top 50 NCAA Football Rankings: Week 12

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

Two of my top 6 teams lost on Saturday: Oregon & Michigan State. With the losses, those two teams’ playoff hopes were dashed. Realistically, 8 teams still have a shot at the playoff & those teams are all in my top 8. Week 13 features two playoff elimination games as Ohio State plays Michigan & Oklahoma travels to Oklahoma State. Teams have one more week (some two) to stake their claim as the best in college football. Here is the latest edition of my top 50.

1. Georgia (11-0, 8-0) ↔️

Georgia practically had a bye week as they beat FCS Charleston Southern 56-7. Plenty of young players got valuable reps for the Dawgs as the starters sat after halftime. The Dawgs play in state rivals Georgia Tech this Saturday to try and mark their 17th win over GT in the last 20 years. After that, Georgia will face their toughest test of the year in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama that will decide each teams' CFP fate.

2. Ohio State (10-1, 8-0) ⬆️3

Ohio State made a statement on Saturday. The Buckeyes absolutely dominated Michigan State 56-7. The Buckeyes have the best offense in college football thanks to the much improved play of surging Heisman contender CJ Stroud. OSU will have their most important test on the road this week when they play archrival Michigan. That game will be a playoff elimination game & a de facto Big Ten East Championship Game. OSU hopes to make it 18 wins vs the Wolverines since 2001.

3. Cincinnati (11-0, 7-0) ⬇️1

I hate to punish Cincinnati after their dominant win over SMU, but Ohio State’s performance Saturday trumps anything that Cincy has done this season, despite OSU’s one loss. The Bearcats finally played their best football Saturday but it may be too little too late to impress the CFP Committee. They still have two games against solid teams however: They play East Carolina & Houston in the AAC Championship Game.

4. Alabama (10-1, 6-1) ⬇️1

Alabama had a great offensive showing against a tough Arkansas team. The Hogs never quit & the Alabama defense struggled at times. The only reason why Bama moves down is because of Ohio State’s great performance. The Tide play Auburn in the Iron Bowl this week before the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. Alabama's uncharacteristically porous defense must show out in hopes of retaining a high enough ranking to make the playoff despite a hypothetical UGA loss.

5. Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1) ⬆️2

Oklahoma State moves up two spots after their shut out win over Texas Tech, which clinched their spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. This defense is one of the best in college football, a surprise to many who think of Gundy's teams as the gunslinging, outscore the oppenent type. The Cowboys are the best team in the Big 12 right now. They still need to prove that this week as they play Oklahoma in what is unlikely, but could potentially be, the final Bedlam game. The Pokes have a real chance to win the Big 12 for the first time in a decade.

6. Michigan (10-1, 7-1) ⬆️2

The Wolverines dominated Maryland ahead of their big showdown against Ohio State. As I previously mentioned, this game is for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and ultimately a CFP invite. Jim Harbaugh deserves a lot of credit for having this team in the playoff hunt in late November. Is this Harbaugh’s year to finally beat Ohio State? Even if they don't a NY6 Bowl is all but a lock.

7. Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) ⬆️3

Oklahoma picked up a nice bounce back win over Iowa State this weekend to remain on track for the Big 12 Championship. They must win out if they want a shot at the playoff though, and even that is a dubious. That road to the top 4 will need to include two straight wins against in-state rival Oklahoma State in Bedlam and the Big 12 CCG. The Sooners need a win or a Baylor loss to clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.

8. Notre Dame (10-1) ⬆️3

Notre Dame will get some help this week as two teams will be eliminated between OU/OSU & UM/OSU. They then need two other teams to slip up to sneak into the top 4. The Irish not having a conference title game really hurts them this season. Their final chance to impress the committee is against a three win Stanford team.

9. Oregon (9-2, 6-2) ⬇️5

The Ducks had their playoff hopes snatched away from them by Utah. Oregon looked flat all game and chose the wrong week to play their worst game. Also, the Pac 12 as a whole will miss the playoff yet again with the Ducks’ loss, not having made it since Washington in '16. Oregon still has a chance at the Rose Bowl & a Pac 12 Championship; however, they need to beat in state rival Oregon State this Saturday. This game has proven tricky for Oregon in recent years.

10. UTSA (11-0, 7-0) ⬆️2

The Roadrunners narrowly escaped UAB after they scored a last second touchdown to clinch a spot in the CUSA Championship Game. UTSA illustrates why we need an expanded playoff. They deserve a shot at the National Championship because of their undefeated record. Unfortunately their strength of schedule will never allow them to be in the top 4. The Roadrunners are one of the hottest teams in America but have gotten zero love from the CFP rankings so far.

11. Michigan State (9-2, 6-2) ⬇️5

Michigan State got embarrassed at Ohio State in a fashion rarely seen in top 10 match up. It just goes to show that there is still a big gap between OSU & everyone else in the Big Ten. Sparty does have a chance to finish the season with 10 wins as they take on Penn State at home to cap off the regular season. A New Years Six bowl game is not out of the realm of possibility. Shout out to Mel Tucker for signing his massive 10 yr contract befor the OSU game.

12. Baylor (9-2, 6-2) ⬆️1

Baylor’s defense stepped up last week & held Kansas State to a measly 10 points. That win kept the Bears’ hopes alive for a Big 12 title. They do need some help though. Baylor needs to win & hope Oklahoma State beats rival Oklahoma to make the Big 12 Championship Game. Also, Gerry Bohanon needs to get healthy for the Bears as without him their chances drop dramatically.

13. Ole Miss (9-2, 5-2) ⬆️1

Ole Miss had a comfortable win in Matt Corral’s last home game. The Egg Bowl is quickly approaching & both teams will likely be ranked by the committee. Ole Miss can still get in a New Years Six bowl game if they win at Mississippi State.

14. Wake Forest (9-2, 6-1) ⬇️5

Wake Forest had a chance to clinch the ACC Atlantic, but Clemson was just too much to handle. The Deacs will have another shot this week as they travel to Boston College. If they win, they will seal a spot in the ACC Championship Game against Pitt for the first time since their magical 2006 ACCCG win.

15. Houston (10-1, 8-0) ↔️

Houston won comfortably on Friday night over Memphis. They have now won 10 straight games which helps Cincinnati’s case for the playoff. The Coogs have a week to get healthy as they play UConn before they play Cincinnati in the AAC Championship Game.

16. BYU (9-2) ↔️

Despite Kalani Sitake getting hit with burritos on the sideline, BYU won at Georgia Southern handily. The Cougars have a chance at a 10 win season when they play USC late Saturday night. Also, BYU has a shot at going 5-0 against Pac 12 teams.

17. Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3) ↔️

The Aggies stay at 17 after their clobbering of Prairie View A&M. Jimbo Fisher & his team can still get to 10 wins should they win out. They have a tough game at LSU in Coach O’s final game coaching the Tigers to end the regular season.

18. San Diego State (10-1, 6-1) ↔️

San Diego State just needs one more win to clinch their spot in the Mountain West Championship Game. Unfortunately, it is against a MW powerhouse in Boise State. The Broncos are also fighting for a conference title in the Mountain division.

19. Pitt (9-2, 6-1) ↔️

Pitt sealed up the ACC Coastal after their 48-38 win over Virginia. Pat Narduzzi’s team is headed back to Charlotte to play for a conference title. The Panthers have one more regular season game before that as they take on Syracuse & talented running back Sean Tucker.

20. Louisiana (10-1, 7-0) ↔️

Louisiana picked up a big non conference win over Liberty this past week. They held Malik Willis in check for the whole game. The Ragin Cajuns take on rival UL Monroe on Saturday before the Sun Belt Championship Game against Appalachian State.

21. Utah (8-3, 7-1) ⬆️6

Utah completely dominated Oregon & dashed their playoff hopes on Saturday. With that big win, the Utes clinched their spot in the Pac 12 Championship Game where they could play Oregon again. This team has looked way better as the season has progressed.

22. Wisconsin (8-3, 6-2) ↔️

The Badgers stay at 22 after their close win over Nebraska. Wisconsin isn’t the first team to have a bit of trouble with the Huskers though. Wisconsin just needs a win at Minnesota to take Paul Bunyan’s Axe & book a trip to Indianapolis. Also, they have won seven straight games.

23. NC State (8-3, 5-2) ↔️

NC State beat Syracuse handily on Saturday. The Pack have a huge game against rivals North Carolina this week. If they win that game & Wake Forest loses to Boston College, NC State will head to their first ever ACC Championship Game. There is a lot on the line this Frid