ESPN shakes up college football power rankings after Week 11

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•11/15/21•

Jonathan Wagner

Week 11 was another exciting one with multiple upsets in college football. The results of the weekend caused some major shakeups in the major polls and the postseason picture. Following the Week 11 action, ESPN has released their updated college football power rankings.

ESPN’s power rankings after Week 11

  1. Georgia Bulldogs (10-0)
  2. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1)
  3. Cincinnati Bearcats (10-0)
  4. Oregon Ducks (9-1)
  5. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1)
  6. Michigan State Spartans (9-1)
  7. Michigan Wolverines (9-1)
  8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1)
  9. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-1)
  10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-1)
  11. Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)
  12. Baylor Bears (8-2)
  13. Oklahoma Sooners (9-1)
  14. BYU Cougars (8-2)
  15. UTSA Roadrunners (10-0)
  16. Houston Cougars (9-1)
  17. Wisconsin Badgers (7-3)
  18. Pittsburgh Panthers (8-2)
  19. Iowa Hawkeyes (8-2)
  20. Utah Utes (7-3)
  21. San Diego State Aztecs (9-1)
  22. Texas A&M Aggies (7-3)
  23. Arkansas Razorbacks (7-3)
  24. Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-4)
  25. Clemson Tigers (7-3)

The College Football Playoff picture continues to take shape

Georgia remained undefeated with a win over Tennessee, maintaining its spot as the top team in college football. Alabama also got back on track with an all-around dominating victory over New Mexico State. Cincinnati struggled early on against South Florida, but pulled away with a 45-28 victory. The Bearcats need to pile up big wins over the final weeks of the season. But with matchups against a solid SMU team and a surging East Carolina, there is work left to do if Cincinnati wants a shot at the playoff.

Oregon maintained a top four spot with a win over Washington State. Ohio State completely dominated Purdue, a team that has pulled off big upsets this season. The win is big for the Buckeyes. Michigan State took down Maryland while Michigan survived a scare from Penn State. The final two weeks of the Big Ten regular season could have major ramifications on the postseason picture with the big contenders in the conference facing off with each other.

Notre Dame has kept slowly creeping up into the top ten, and the Irish won again over Virginia on Saturday. The Irish have an outside shot at making a playoff run if they can get some help. Wake Forest bounced back with a 45-42 win over NC State to maintain a spot in the top ten in ESPN’s post Week 11 rankings.

The Big 12 picture was shaken up in Week 11 when Baylor defeated Oklahoma. Oklahoma State jumped up to No. 9 in ESPN’s power rankings, giving them a shot at the playoff. Baylor jumped Oklahoma at No. 12, with the Sooners just behind at No. 13. Oklahoma State has the best shot at making the playoff, although the Big 12 will need some help along the way to make that possible.