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

Following another exciting week of college football action, Danny Kanell has overhauled his top 12 rankings after Week 12. The final weeks of the regular season are upon us, so each of these teams have a legitimate shot at making the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State remains atop Kanell’s rankings for another week. His top three has not changed: Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M. Elsewhere on his list, Notre Dame joined the rankings.

In addition, Oklahoma was Kanell’s biggest winner based on movement from last week, while Alabama was the biggest loser. Here’s how his list stacks up ahead of Week 12:

1. Ohio State (-)

Ohio State took another step en route to an undefeated regular season on Saturday. The Buckeyes defeated UCLA 48-10 at home during Week 12.

Now, Ryan Day’s squad is 10-0 and have occupied the nation’s top spot since Week 2. While the Michigan game looms, the Buckeyes are once against serious contenders for the national championship. They have a couple big hurdles to clear before they get there, however.

2. Indiana (-)

Indiana improved to 11-0 after defeating Wisconsin 31-7 on Saturday. The Hoosiers have one more game left in the regular season — a road trip to 2-9 Purdue on Nov. 28. Curt Cignetti’s group will be on their bye during Week 13.

All signs point toward a Big Ten title matchup against Ohio State. Though, there are three one-loss teams in Big Ten play so nothing is guaranteed just yet.

3. Texas A&M (-)

Texas A&M pulled off the biggest comeback in school history on Saturday. Defeating South Carolina 31-30, the Aggies trailed by as many as 27 points against the Gamecocks.

Head coach Mike Elko called the comeback championship-level football. The victory improved the Aggies to 10-0, making an SEC Championship berth that much closer.

4. Georgia (+2)

Georgia earned a statement victory over a top-10 Texas team at home Saturday night. Defeating the Longhorns 35-10, the Bulldogs now have three wins over ranked teams — including to in the top 10.

The Bulldogs are 9-1 with two games left on their schedule. They’ll take on a 1-9 Charlotte team next weekend before rounding out their schedule on the road against a likely ranked Georgia Tech team.

5. Oregon (-1)

Oregon improved to 9-1 after defeating Minnesota 42-13. Their lone loss came at the hands of Indiana last month.

The Ducks don’t have the easiest slate left on their regular season schedule. During Week 13, they’ll host an 8-2 USC team that is still vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff. After that, they’ll finish the regular season on the road against Washington, a team that appeared in the first College Football Playoff rankings ahead of Week 11.

6. Ole Miss (+2)

Ole Miss outscored Florida 14-0 in the second half to stave off the Gators’ upset bid trailing 24-20 at halftime. The win improved Ole Miss to 10-1 on the season — the third time Lane Kiffin has led his program to 10+ win seasons in as many years.

One game is left on the Rebels’ schedule: the Egg Bowl vs. Mississippi State. It’s also the last game of the year for the Bulldogs, who are currently 5-6 and would love nothing more than to ruin their rivals’ potential SEC Championship hopes by becoming bowl eligible during the final week of the year.

7. Texas Tech (-)

Texas Tech dismantled UCF 48-9 during Week 12 to improve to 10-1 this season. After defeating BYU at home last week, the Red Raiders are now the team to beat in the Big 12 Conference.

West Virginia is the last team standing in Texas Tech’s way en route to a Big 12 title game berth. Whether it’ll be a rematch with BYU remains to be seen, but was is for sure is that the matchup could determine the conference’s lone representative in the College Football Playoff.

8. Oklahoma (+3)

Oklahoma defeated Alabama for the second-straight season on Saturday. The Crimson Tide have not beaten the Sooners since joining the Southeastern Conference.

The victory keeps the Sooners’ College Football Playoff hopes alive heading into the final two weeks of the season. At 8-2 overall, OU will host both Missouri and LSU during that stretch.

9. Alabama (-4)

The Crimson Tide dropped four spots after its loss to Oklahoma at home on Saturday. However, Alabama’s eight-game win streak during its toughest stretch of the season has propelled them back into the CFP race.

The good news is that Alabama was previously undefeated in SEC play. Their SEC title chances, and CFP hopes are alive and well heading into matchups vs. E Illinois and the Iron Bowl at Auburm.

10. Miami (+2)

Miami re-entered Kanell’s rankings last week and have won their last two matchups after falling to unranked SMU on the road to begin November. The Hurricanes defeated NC State 41-7 on Saturday and have outscored their last two opponents 79-17.

At 8-2 overall, there’s no margin for error for Miami this season. With there being discussion of the ACC potentially being left out of the CFP together depending on the circumstances, Miami, alongside Georgia Tech, appears to be one of the conference’s best shots to represent it in the postseason.

11. Notre Dame (NR)

Notre Dame’s 0-2 record meant that the Fighting Irish had to win their next 10 games to make the College Football Playoff. They’re well on their way after defeating a ranked Pitt team on the road during Week 12.

The Irish will face Syracuse and Stanford out of the ACC to round out their regular season. Those two squads have a combined record of 6-14, so the toughest part of Notre Dame’s schedule is behind them.

12. Georgia Tech (-3)

Georgia Tech dropped three spots after escaping Boston College 36-34 on the road on Saturday. The two-point win comes after the Yellow Jackets allowed 48 points in an upset loss at NC State during Week 11.

Still, Georgia Tech is 9-1 and has matchups with Pitt, who will likely fall out of the CFP rankings after Saturday, and a likely top-five Georgia team at home to finish the regular season. A win against the Panthers would all but guarantee an ACC title berth for Georgia Tech.