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Ohio State may have a gaudy win-loss record, but they've struggled in their ability to make a big jump in the college football playoff rankings, in part because of their terrible loss to Virginia Tech in week two that isn't looking any better, and in part because of a lack of a signature win. On Saturday, Ohio State got their big win, winning at Michigan State, and now, they've made their big move in the rankings.
After clocking in at 14 last week, Ohio State jumped all the way to 8, claiming the top spot among any Big Ten teams.
Ohio State is still looking up to one loss teams Baylor, Alabama and TCU, and will likely need additional help in their quest to climb into the top four, and thus, a playoff spot. Should they win out, they should still have a game against Nebraska. Big Ten teams Michigan State, Wisconsin and next week's opponent, Minnesota, are also ranked.
| Rank | Team | Last week | Week 11 result | Toughest opponent left (per F/+) | If the season ended today ... |
| 1 | Mississippi State (9-0) | 1 | Won 45-16 vs. Tennessee-Martin | Alabama | Sugar Bowl vs. TCU |
| 2 | Oregon (9-1) | 4 | Won 51-27 at No. 17 Utah | Oregon State | Rose Bowl vs. Florida State |
| 3 | Florida State (9-0) | 2 | Won 34-20 vs. Virginia | Miami | Rose Bowl vs. Oregon |
| 4 | TCU (8-1) | 6 | Won 41-20 vs. No. 7 Kansas State | Texas | Sugar Bowl vs. Mississippi State |
| 5 | Alabama (8-1) | 5 | Won 20-13 (OT) at No. 16 LSU | Auburn | Orange Bowl vs. Clemson |
| 6 | Arizona State (8-1) | 14 | Won 55-31 vs. No. 10 Notre Dame | Arizona | New Year's bowl |
| 7 | Baylor (8-1) | 13 | Won 48-14 at No. 15 Oklahoma | Kansas State | New Year's bowl |
| 8 | Ohio State (8-1) | 14 | Won 49-37 at No. 8 Michigan State | Minnesota | New Year's bowl |
| 9 | Auburn (7-2) | 3 | Lost 41-38 vs. Texas A&M | Alabama | New Year's bowl |
| 10 | Ole Miss (8-2) | 12 | Won 48-0 vs. Presbyterian | Mississippi State | New Year's bowl |
| 11 | UCLA (8-2) | 18 | Won 44-30 at Washington | USC | New Year's bowl |
| 12 | Michigan State (7-2) | 8 | Lost 49-37 vs. No. 14 Ohio State | Maryland | |
| 13 | Kansas State (7-2) | 7 | Lost 41-20 at No. 6 TCU | Baylor | |
| 14 | Arizona (7-2) | 19 | Won 38-20 vs. Colorado | Arizona State | |
| 15 | Georgia (7-2) | 20 | Won 63-31 at Kentucky | Auburn | |
| 16 | Nebraska (8-1) | 13 | Idle | Wisconsin | |
| 17 | LSU (7-3) | 16 | Lost 20-13 (OT) vs. No. 5 Alabama | Arkansas | |
| 18 | Notre Dame (7-2) | 10 | Lost 55-31 at No. 9 Arizona State | Louisville | |
| 19 | Clemson (7-2) | 21 | Won 34-20 at Wake Forest | Georgia Tech | Orange Bowl vs. Alabama |
| 20 | Wisconsin (7-2) | 25 | Won 34-16 at Purdue | Nebraska | |
| 21 | Duke (8-1) | 22 | Won 27-10 at Syracuse | Virginia Tech | |
| 22 | Georgia Tech (8-2) | 24 | Won 56-23 at NC State | Georgia | |
| 23 | Utah (6-3) | 17 | Lost 51-27 vs. No. 4 Oregon | Arizona | |
| 24 | Texas A&M (7-3) | NR | Won 41-38 at No. 3 Auburn | LSU | |
| 25 | Minnesota (7-2) | NR | Won 51-14 vs. Iowa | Ohio State |