USA Today Coaches Poll top 25 released following Week 12

Jonathan Wagner

Following another exciting weekend of action across college football in Week 12, the latest USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll top 25 has been released. There are some changes towards the top after a couple of surprising finishes on Saturday.

Updated Coaches Poll top 25 after Week 12

Georgia (11-0)
Alabama (10-1)
Ohio State (10-1)
Cincinnati (11-0)
Notre Dame (10-1)
Michigan (10-1)
Oklahoma State (10-1)
Ole Miss (9-2)
Oklahoma (10-1)
Baylor (9-2)
Oregon (9-2)
Iowa (9-2)
Michigan State (9-2)
Texas A&M (8-3)
BYU (9-2)
Houston (10-1)
Pittsburgh (9-2)
Wisconsin (8-3)
Utah (8-3)
UTSA (11-0)
Wake Forest (9-2)
San Diego State (10-1)
Louisiana (10-1)
NC State (8-3)
Kentucky (8-3)

Week 12 will have lasting impacts on the College Football Playoff picture

There is never a sure thing in college football, and this season is perfect proof. Upsets have been prevalent in every week, and Week 12 was no different. Four ranked teams lost over the weekend, with three of those four coming against other ranked opponents. Alabama took down Arkansas in a close 42-35 game. Ohio State dominated against Michigan State, taking home a 56-7 victory. Late Saturday night, Utah also dominated against Oregon, seemingly eliminating the Ducks from the playoff picture. The game will have serious impacts on the playoff and the polls after Week 12.

Georgia remains in the top spot, to no surprise. The Bulldogs won 56-7 against Charleston Southern on Saturday to improve to 11-0 on the season. Cincinnati needed a big win over an eight-win SMU team on Saturday and the Bearcats got just that. The playoff hopeful Bearcats won 48-14, earning some needed style points. Cincinnati could be in a good position to continue rising after Oregon’s loss, paired with the ever important Big Ten matchup between Ohio State and Michigan next week.

Michigan, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State also picked up convincing victories in Week 12. Clemson put up an impressive performance against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons came into the game ranked in the top ten, but Clemson had no trouble, cruising to a 48-27 win. Oklahoma, fresh off of a loss last week against Baylor, bounced back with a good win over Iowa State.

Oregon’s loss resulted in a big fall, dropping six spots down to 11. Michigan State also fell five spots down to 13 in the poll after Week 12. Wake Forest dropped nine spots down to 21. Arkansas fell outside of the top 25 after the loss to Alabama.

Kentucky is the lone team to re-join the top 25 after Week 12, rising one spot to take the final spot in the poll. Arkansas, Clemson, Mississippi State, Penn State and Appalachian State finished just on the outside looking in.