College Football Rankings: Danny Kanell updates top 12 with new No. 1 after Week 6

Following an exciting Week 6 in college football, Danny Kanell has overhauled his Top 12 rankings. These 12 teams could be the ones with College Football Playoff potential through six weeks.

This includes a new No. 1 in Miami — or perhaps a return to the top spot. Ohio State topped Kanell’s ranking one week ago, but Miami occupied that spot the previous two weeks before that.

Two new teams made the list in the fallout of Vanderbilt and Iowa State’s losses during Week 6. You can find his full rankings below:

1. Miami (+2)

Miami held on to defeat Kanell’s alma mater, Florida State, 28-22 on Saturday. The Seminoles scored 19 unanswered in the fourth quarter after holding FSU to a field goal during the first three quarters.

The victory improves the ‘Canes back to No. 1 in Kanell’s rankings. QB Carson Beck threw for four touchdowns during the win to help Miami improve to 5-0 this season, including three wins over ranked teams.

2. Ohio State (-1)

Ohio State continued its dominance this season with a 42-3 win over Minnesota on Saturday. The Buckeyes defense has yet to allow more than 10 points in a single game this season.

After four-straight games playing unranked teams, the Buckeyes will travel to Illinois to take on a ranked Fighting Illini squad that is off to a 5-1 start this year. Perhaps a victory there will propel Ohio State back to the top of Kanell’s list.

3. Oregon (-1)

Oregon was on its bye this week but moved down one spot in Kanell’s rankings. This came after the Ducks defeated Penn State on the road during Week 5. However, that victory — while still impressive — doesn’t look the same on paper following the Nittany Lions’ road loss to the previously winless UCLA Bruins.

Still, Oregon has looked the part this season and have another opportunity to prove why they’re one of the best college football teams has to offer when they host a top-10 Indiana team this Saturday.

4. Ole Miss (-)

Like Oregon, Ole Miss was on its bye week as well. This comes off the heels of the Rebels’ 24-19 win over a then-top five LSU squad at home. Well rested, Ole Miss can improve to 6-0 this season with a win over Washington State on Saturday.

They’ll turn toward QB Trinidad Chambliss, who has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the SEC this season. He’s thrown for over 1,000 yards, rushing for over 250 more and is responsible for seven touchdowns this season.

5. Indiana (-)

Indiana will also be rested for its road trip to Oregon this weekend. Both the Hoosiers and Ducks had an extra week to prepare for each other, so fans could see a chess match in Eugene on Saturday.

Both teams are 5-0 heading into the matchup. Indiana defeated Iowa 20-15 last time out, but that came after defeating a then-top 10 Illinois team by 53 points during Week 4. QB Fernando Mendoza has been exceptional under center for Curt Cignetti’s group, and will look to pull off the upset this weekend.

6. Texas A&M (-)

Texas A&M rushed for over 300 yards and held Mississippi State to 219 yards of offense during Saturday’s 31-9 win over the Bulldogs. That’s a recipe for success if there ever was one.

The victory improves the Aggies to 5-0 this season. Now that the defense (9.5 ppg against Auburn, Mississippi St.) is performing as expected, Texas A&M is proving why they’re every bit worthy of a College Football Playoff bid this season.

7. Texas Tech (+2)

Texas Tech’s big money offense has paid off thus far. The Red Raiders are 5-0 after defeating previously undefeated Houston on the road last weekend.

Their offense is currently averaging 48.6 points per game — tops in the Big 12 Conference by over 12 points. Texas Tech features a balanced attack with quarterback Behren Morton and a two-headed monster in the backfield with RBs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams, who have accounted for a combined 638 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

8. Oklahoma (-1)

No John Mateer, no problem for Oklahoma against Kent State on Saturday. Although it was expected, the Sooners won 44-0 with Michael Hawkins under center. Undefeated Oklahoma will now turn its attention toward Texas for the Red River Rivalry.

The Sooners will hope to have Mateer back by then. While OU is optimistic, Mateer underwent surgery on his throwing hand late last month. With such a quick turnaround, it remains to be seen if he’ll be 100%, or even suit up at all for the big-time rivalry showdown.

9. Alabama (NR)

The Crimson Tide’s win over Georgia on the road wasn’t enough for Alabama to crack Kanell’s list. Instead, defeating Vanderbilt 30-14 puts them on at No. 9.

Alabama has now rattled off four rather impressive wins since the opening Week 1 loss to Florida State. The ranked matchups don’t stop here, however. Looking ahead, Crimson Tide will take on ranked Missouri and Tennessee teams over the next couple of weeks as well.

10. Georgia (NR)

Georgia’s loss to Alabama pushed them out of Kanell’s rankings last week. However, Georgia bounced back during Week 6 with a decisive 35-14 win over Kentucky at home.

Their schedule coming up is interesting. They’ll head to Jordan-Hare Stadium to play Auburn in a road night environment before hosting a top-five, undefeated Ole Miss team between the hedges. Georgia also plays the likes of Texas and Georgia Tech down the stretch in the regular season.

11. Missouri (-)

Missouri was idle during Week 6, and head into Week 7 on Saturday hosting a white-hot Alabama squad. Aside from a two-score victory over South Carolina on Sept. 20, the Tigers have largely blown out their competition this season.

Quarterback Beau Pribula has been impressive, completing over 75% of his passes for 1,203 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. His running back, Ahmad Hardy, is the leading rusher in the SEC by over 250 yards. He’s taken 103 carries for 730 yards and nine touchdowns through five appearances this season.

12. Georgia Tech (-2)

Another team on its bye week to start October, Georgia Tech’s 30-29 overtime win over Wake Forest was the last time we saw the Yellow Jackets in action. Still, they’re 5-0 and head coach Brent Key is expected to lead his troops to bowl eligibility with a win over 2-4 Virginia Tech at home this weekend.

With no ranked teams left on their schedule until the regular season finale against Georgia — at home — there’s a real possibility the Yellow Jackets will be undefeated at that point. After last year’s eight overtime affair, fans will be excited to see what the rivalry matchup has in store this season. Of course, there’s a lot of football to be played between now and then.