College Football Rankings: Joel Klatt makes major shakeup in top 10 after Week 11

Week 11 is in the book and, with that, college football analyst Joel Klatt has updated his Top 10 rankings. That includes a major shakeup after several close calls and ranked battles.

The BYU vs. Texas Tech game that played host to ESPN College GameDay was also the centerpiece of these rankings. BYU’s poor showing forced the Cougars outside of the Top 10 entirely. Meanwhile, Texas Tech had the chance to jump ahead because of it, completely rearranging the bottom of Klatt’s Top 10 from one week ago.

So, the question is, just how much did all these teams move around? Who jumped into the Top 10? Klatt would reveal all during a recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show, and his rankings can be found below.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes open up Joel Klatt’s college football rankings in the top spot. There’s no change on that from a week ago after the Buckeyes took care of business against Purdue. That ended up being a 34-10 win on the road.

Unbeaten with three games left, Ohio State is getting ready to host an upset-minded UCLA team next week. Of course, the Buckeyes will be massive favorites in that game, as is usually the case, as they finish up this late stretch of the season trying to make it to the Big Ten Championship Game.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

The Indiana Hoosiers got a major scare over the weekend in Happy Valley. It took a two-minute drill to score a go-ahead touchdown with just seconds left on the clock. There, Omar Cooper made the catch of the season and arguably the greatest catch in program history to save the unbeaten season and score the go-ahead touchdown.

Even with a close call, Klatt is keeping Indiana ranked second in his rankings. It appears that they’re on course for the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers return home next week to take on Wisconsin, continuing that journey.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

The Texas A&M Aggies are the top-ranked SEC team for Klatt and one of five SEC teams in his Top 10 college football rankings. This comes after they went on the road and dominated Missouri, as the Tigers have been battling through injuries.

The Aggies return home on Saturday to take on South Carolina. That’s one of their final two SEC games this season. However, the Texas game looms in the distance as the Aggies want to continue with one of the best seasons they’ve had in recent memory.

4. Georgia Bulldogs (+2)

The Georgia Bulldogs are the first team to make a notable jump from Klatt. This comes after they dominated Mississippi State over the weekend. Perhaps the manner they won was even more important than the fact that they won too, as there was no slow start to overcome this time out for Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is back in Athens for a massive test. The Texas Longhorns are coming to town for a Top 10 battle. On the line are both College Football Playoff and SEC Championship implications, as both teams try and battle for position in the standings.

5. Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks had a scare on the road against Iowa. Amid bad November weather, the Hawkeyes scored late to take a lead, only for quarterback Dante Moore and the Ducks’ offense to respond with a last minute drive to kick a game-winning field goal. The Ducks survived and so did their hopes to return to the Big Ten Championship.

Oregon will need some help to get back to the Big Ten Championship Game, given their loss to Indiana. However, there is a consolation in rankings, such as the one Klatt put out. Oregon is still very highly regarded and in a good spot to make it to the College Football Playoff.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide (-2)

The Alabama Crimson Tide won on Saturday, beating LSU in a low-scoring battle. Despite that, and their unbeaten record in SEC play, Klatt had them fall in his rankings by two spots. That was, essentially, a flip with Georgia based on the eye test.

Next week will be another major test against Oklahoma. After that, it’s FCS Eastern Illinois and the always tricky Iron Bowl. Win out, and Alabama shouldn’t have any issues come the postseason. However, adding another loss could put the Tide in a more precarious position.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders (+3)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders were the biggest mover for Klatt. They would jump up three spots after beating BYU. That’s, in part, because they didn’t just beat BYU. They dominated the Cougars, particularly along the line of scrimmage.

Next week, Texas Tech is set to play host to a struggling UCF team. That’s before getting a bye week and West Virginia. The Red Raiders will be major favorites until the Big 12 Championship Game, which could very well be a rematch against BYU.

8. Ole Miss Rebels (-1)

Klatt dropped Ole Miss a spot in his rankings. That was more about finding a way to move Texas Tech up than it was about punishing the Rebels, though. After all, Ole Miss took care of business against The Citadel.

Now, Ole Miss is preparing for a Florida team with an interim head coach. After that, it’s a bye week and the Egg Bowl. Win out, and there’s no reason why the Rebels shouldn’t be in the College Football Playoff.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-1)

Notre Dame also slipped for Klatt. That’s even after dominating Navy to the tune of a 49-10 win in the snow. Again, it was likely less about how the Irish played, and more about crediting the Red Raiders for their own big win.

This next week will be a massive test for Notre Dame against Pitt. ESPN College GameDay is going to be in town for the game, as Notre Dame looks to overcome its biggest test in the final weeks of the season. Win that, and it’s a manageable schedule on the way to the College Football Playoff.

10. Texas Longhorns (NR)

The Texas Longhorns jumped back into the Top 10 for Joel Klatt. This comes out of a bye week. Prior to that, however, Texas had won four games in a row, getting back on track, including against multiple ranked SEC opponents.

In their final three games of the season, the Longhorns are going to be tested with three SEC games, including against Georgia and Texas A&M. Win out, and the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff are on the table. Lose, and it’ll be a third loss, effectively eliminating the Longhorns without some major help.