Week 12 JP Poll: Top 20 power rankings see major movement after jam-packed slate

Another jam-packed slate of college football took place in Week 12. That means the JP Poll saw some major movement, as Josh Pate unveiled Tuesday night.

The top four teams in the JP Poll remained the same after Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M and Alabama won their respective games last week. But there were some changes farther down the power ratings, though – remember, they’re not rankings – after some important results around the country.

With just a few weeks left in the season, there’s sure to be even more movement. Here is the full Week 12 JP Poll, as unveiled on Josh Pate’s College Football Show.

1. Ohio State (-)

Ohio State once again got a resounding victory in Week 11, taking down Purdue in West Lafayette. That helped the Buckeyes stay undefeated and remain atop not only the College Football Playoff rankings, but also the JP Poll.

Jeremiah Smith had a career day, setting a new career-high with 10 receptions as he totaled 137 yards and a touchdown. Julian Sayin also had a strong showing with 303 yards and the touchdown pass to Smith to lead the charge.

2. Indiana (-)

After finding itself on upset alert, Indiana rallied in the final minute to take down Penn State at Beaver Stadium. Fernando Mendoza led the game-winning drive, which culminated with Omar Cooper’s highlight-reel catch to seal the victory, and kept the Hoosiers at No. 2 in the JP Poll.

With the win, IU stayed undefeated with a 10-0 record heading into Week 12. The Hoosiers will now get ready for their final two games of the season, starting with Wisconsin on Saturday.

3. Texas A&M (-)

Texas A&M entered Week 12 as the last remaining unbeaten SEC team and held onto that title with its performance against Missouri. Marcel Reed had a big day at quarterback while Rueben Owens led a high-powered run game en route to the victory.

As a result, the Aggies stayed put at No. 3 in the JP Poll entering the final stretch. They bring plenty of momentum into their penultimate conference game this week against South Carolina.

4. Alabama (-)

Just like the College Football Playoff rankings, Alabama rounds out the Top 4 of the JP Poll. The Tide kept rolling in Week 11, taking down LSU in a marquee matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.

Ty Simpson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown to lead the charge in Alabama’s eighth straight victory. The Crimson Tide have a crucial game awaiting on Saturday, though, against an Oklahoma team that is looking to avoid a dreaded third loss.

5. Georgia (+2)

A new team appeared in the Top 5 of the JP Poll as Georgia made its return. The Bulldogs didn’t leave any room for doubt in last week’s win at Mississippi State, extending their winning streak to five games entering their final SEC matchup.

UGA is now 8-1 overall and 6-1 in SEC play with the conference finale against Texas coming up Saturday night. The Bulldogs’ final two games are out-of-conference against Charlotte and Georgia Tech, meaning they can finalize their SEC resume in primetime against the Longhorns.

6. Ole Miss (-)

Also staying put at No. 6 in the JP Poll, Ole Miss took a break from SEC action in Week 11. The Rebels took down The Citadel in their final non-conference matchup of the year.

Ole Miss is squarely in the College Football Playoff picture with two games left to go on the schedule. This week, a matchup against Florida – which is sure to be filled with storylines – will be on tap in Oxford.

7. Notre Dame (+2)

Jumping two spots in the JP Poll, Notre Dame picked up a rivalry win last week. The Fighting Irish cruised past Navy on a snowy night in South Bend.

Jeremiyah Love showed out again, rattling off 94 rush yards and two touchdowns – including a wild 48-yarder – while CJ Carr threw for three touchdowns in the air. A big matchup awaits on Saturday, though, as Notre Dame heads to Pitt in a game with plenty of College Football Playoff implications.

8. Oregon (-3)

Despite a win at Iowa last week, Oregon fell three spots in the JP Poll. The Ducks now sit at No. 8 after finding themselves on upset alert at Kinnick Stadium.

Dante Moore led the eventual game-winning drive, leading Oregon down the field after Iowa took the lead in the final minutes. With the victory, the Ducks improved to 8-1 on the year as they get ready for a Friday night matchup against Minnesota in Eugene.

9. Texas (-1)

Despite being on a bye in Week 11, Texas dropped a spot in the JP Poll. The Longhorns are now No. 9 after the results from across the country last time out.

A big game awaits this week, though, as Texas tries to stay in the College Football Playoff race. Arch Manning and Co. will head to Georgia for a primetime matchup against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

10. Utah (-)

Once again, Utah is rounding out the Top 10 of the JP Poll. The Utes were idle in Week 11 and will be back in action this week for the first time since a huge home win.

Utah took down Cincinnati last time out, adding more intrigue to the Big 12 race. The Utes have a road trip ahead this Saturday, heading to Waco to take on Baylor in primetime.

Week 12 JP Poll: 11-20

11. Tennessee (-)
12. Texas Tech (-)
13. Oklahoma (+1)
14. USC (+1)
15. Miami (-2)
16. Penn State (NR)
17. Iowa (+1)
18. LSU (+2)
19. Vanderbilt (-)
20. Clemson (NR)

There wasn’t much crazy movement in this week’s JP Poll, but the changes were still significant. With just a few games remaining, it’s safe to say the national picture is coming into focus as races heat up.