College Football Rankings: Danny Kanell shakes up top 12 after Week 11

Following another exciting week of college football action, Danny Kanell has overhauled his top 12 rankings after Week 11. With less than a month left in the regular season, each of these teams have a legitimate shot at making the College Football Playoff.

His 12-team list features a new No. 1 overall team as Ohio State moved back into the top spot after being overtaken by Indiana last week. Kanell’s rankings also feature three teams that didn’t appear on his list last week.

Notably, Louisville, Virginia and BYU did not make this week’s list after cracking Kanell’s rankings after Week 10. All three teams lost their conference matchups on Saturday. Here’s how his list stacks up ahead of Week 11:

1. Ohio State (+1)

Ohio State moved back into the top spot in Kanell’s rankings after Indiana occupied his No. 1 spot last week. The Buckeyes defeated Purdue 34-10 to improve to 9-0 this season.

If Ohio State wins out, then the Buckeyes are likely the top-seed in the College Football Playoffs. Although, the regular season finale vs. Michigan looms, as does the Big Ten title game if they do go undefeated — which would most likely be against Kanell’s No. 2 team this week.

2. Indiana (-1)

Fernando Mendoza had his Heisman moment to help beat Penn State, throwing a miraculous touchdown pass on one of the most spectacular catches you’ll see in college football this season. The Hoosiers would win 27-24, improving to 10-0 on the process.

Indiana’s remaining opponents, Wisconsin and Purdue, have a combined 5-14 overall record as well as a 1-12 combined record vs. the Big Ten. All signs point toward an undefeated Hoosiers team entering the postseason.

3. Texas A&M (-)

Many saw Texas A&M’s Week 11 road trip to play a ranked Missouri team as a sort of late-season trap game for the Aggies. Mike Elko’s squad walked away from the SEC matchup with a 38-17 victory.

The Aggies continue their undefeated start of the season, and with three games left on its schedule — Texas A&M’s College Football Playoff chances are as clear as ever. They’ll host South Carolina during Week 12.

4. Oregon (+1)

No. 20 Iowa took No. 9 Oregon to its limit during the Ducks’ road trip on Saturday. The Ducks eked past the Hawkeyes following a game-winning 39-yard field goal by kicker Atticus Sappington. A miss would have given the Ducks its second loss of the season.

That turned out not to be the case. Now, the Ducks have won its last three games after suffering defeat against Indiana. They have matchups against Minnesota, USC and Washington to round out the regular season.

5. Alabama (+1)

Alabama slides into Kanell’s top five after BYU’s upset loss to Texas Tech last week. At the same time, the Crimson Tide improved to 8-1 overall this season, as well as 6-0 in SEC play after defeating LSU 20-9.

This sets up Alabama’s last ranked matchup of the regular season. They’ll play a two-loss Oklahoma team in Tuscaloosa during Week 12, and a loss would send the Sooners out of playoff contention. They’ll get OU’s best shot this Saturday as the Tide aims to win its ninth-straight game.

6. Georgia (+1)

Georgia is one of three one-loss teams (Texas, Ole Miss) in SEC play this season. At 8-1 overall, the Bulldogs’ only loss is to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kirby Smart’s team has won five games since the loss, and during that stretch has a win over Ole Miss at home. The Bulldogs most recently defeated Mississippi State 41-21 during Week 11.

7. Texas Tech (+2)

Texas Tech controlled BYU from the opening kick, scoring the first 19 points of the game and holding the Cougars scoreless for the first three quarters. The Red Raiders now sit atop the Big 12 standings with a 6-1 record (9-1 overall) vs. the conference.

Looking ahead, the Red Raiders have two games left on their regular season schedule. They’ll host UCF in Week 12, go on their bye, and finish the season on the road vs. West Virginia. Both teams have records below .500.

8. Ole Miss (-)

Ole Miss pitched a 49-0 shutout against The Citadel on Saturday, providing the Rebels with its ninth win of the regular season. They’re currently 9-1 with their only blemish being a road loss to Georgia.

In those nine wins, the Rebels only have one victory over a team that made an appearance in the initial CFP rankings last week (Oklahoma). With the final two games on their schedule being against Florida and Mississippi State, that will remain true heading into the postseason.

9. Georgia Tech (NR)

Kanell had a space between Ole Miss and Georgia Tech, signifying there being a drop-off between the top eight, and No.’s 9-12. Georgia Tech tops that second tier at eighth in Kanell’s rankings.

The Yellow Jackets didn’t play this weekend, and were booted from Kanell’s list after Week 10 following its 48-36 loss to NC State. Despite their loss, Georgia Tech sits atop the ACC standings after Virginia fell to Wake Forest on Saturday.

10. Texas (NR)

Texas was not ranked at one point this season despite coming into the season as the AP No. 1 team. However, Steve Sarkisian’s team has steadily improved throughout the season and are 7-2 overall to show for it.

Most recently defeating a ranked Vanderbilt team ay home. But when Texas returns to the field, it will be on the road against Georgia. The Longhorns also have Texas A&M left on its schedule, so there’s a long road ahead of Texas before it can turn its focus toward the CFP.

11. Oklahoma (+1)

Oklahoma is another team that enjoyed its bye last week. Last time we saw the Sooners, they were coming off a 33-27 upset over Tennessee inside Neyland Stadium.

The victory keeps OU’s College Football Playoff aspirations alive heading into the final stretch of the season. They’ll travel to Alabama on Saturday for another opportunity to prove their worth against another playoff contender.

12. Miami (NR)

Miami lost its second game of the year in overtime to SMU to begin November. The Hurricanes would bounce back in a big way against Syracuse on Saturday, defeating the Orange 38-10 to improve to 7-2 this season.

With two losses to teams who aren’t in the CFP conversation after 11 weeks, there’s no margin for error for Miami moving forward. They’ll host NC State this weekend before ending the season on a two-game road trip, traveling to Virginia Tech and then No. 24 Pitt.