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Oh how the tangled web of college football rankings has changed since last the playoff committee met. Since then, three of the top-six teams lost (including Nos. 1 and 3), and the previously No. 13 Ohio State, whose playoff chances had been left for dead, suddenly has a pulse (albeit a faint one), after their 48-3 drubbing of formerly No. 12 Michigan State.
Now, having moved up a few spots, the Buckeyes sit at No. 9.
If the Buckeyes are to have any chance of booking a return trip to the College Football Playoff, they are going to need two things; 1) to win out against Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin (and preferably in impressive fashion), and 2) lots of chaos above them.
However, the third CFP rankings of the season should provide a glimpse as to what must happen for OSU to have a shot at the title.
Week 12 College Football Playoff Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Record | Conference |
| 1 | Alabama | 10-0 | SEC |
| 2 | Clemson | 9-1 | ACC |
| 3 | Miami | 9-0 | ACC |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 9-1 | Big 12 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 10-0 | Big Ten |
| 6 | Auburn | 8-2 | SEC |
| 7 | Georgia | 9-1 | SEC |
| 8 | Notre Dame | 8-2 | Independent |
| 9 | Ohio State | 8-2 | Big Ten |
| 10 | Penn State | 8-2 | Big Ten |
| 11 | USC | 9-2 | Pac-12 |
| 12 | TCU | 8-2 | Big 12 |
| 13 | Oklahoma State | 8-2 | Big 12 |
| 14 | Washington State | 9-2 | Pac-12 |
| 15 | UCF | 9-0 | American |
| 16 | Mississippi State | 7-3 | SEC |
| 17 | Michigan State | 7-3 | Big Ten |
| 18 | Washington | 8-2 | Pac-12 |
| 19 | NC State | 7-3 | ACC |
| 20 | LSU | 7-3 | SEC |
| 21 | Memphis | 8-1 | AAC |
| 22 | Stanford | 7-3 | Pac-12 |
| 23 | Northwestern | 7-3 | Big Ten |
| 24 | Michigan | 8-2 | Big Ten |
| 25 | Boise St | 8-2 | Mountain West |