Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt unveiled his top 10 rankings following Week 13, showcasing significant shifts from the previous week due to multiple upsets.
The Georgia Bulldogs avoided an upset by decisively defeating the UMass Minutemen 59-21. Quarterback Carson Beck was in top form with four touchdown passes, while Nate Frazier impressed as the lead running back after Trevor Etienne. However, the defense struggled, allowing the Minutemen to gain 226 rushing yards and remain competitive until the third quarter.
In Klatt’s rankings, the Bulldogs hold the No. 5 spot, ranking behind Texas in the SEC and Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon from the Big Ten. Nevertheless, Georgia fans are celebrating as the team has secured a place in the SEC championship for the fourth year in a row, thanks to the Alabama Crimson Tide’s surprising 24-3 defeat to the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners controlled the game with strong defense and a potent running game, causing Alabama to drop from Klatt’s rankings, likely ending their chances for the college football playoff with three losses.
Other notable upsets included Ole Miss’s 24-17 loss to the Florida Gators, the Texas A&M Aggies falling to the Auburn Tigers after four overtimes, and the Kansas Jayhawks defeating the 8-3 Colorado Buffaloes, putting Colorado’s Big 12 championship hopes in jeopardy.
The highly anticipated Indiana-Ohio State game saw the Buckeyes dominate, winning 38-15. Although the Hoosiers started strong with a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, turnovers and a failed punt allowed Ohio State to gain control, ultimately scoring an additional 17 points in the second half.
With the fourth College Football Playoff rankings set to be released on November 26, there’s only one week left for teams to secure their postseason berths, especially with Alabama, Ole Miss, and Indiana all taking losses last week. Rivalry weekend looms large for Week 14, particularly the Texas vs. Texas A&M matchup, which will determine a spot in the SEC championship. A Texas victory would likely secure their place in the College Football Playoff, while a Texas A&M win would offer them a chance at the SEC title.
**Current Rankings:**
– **No. 10**: Virginia Cavaliers
– Record: 10-1 (plus-14.9 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win at Virginia 33-7
– **No. 9**: Indiana Hoosiers
– Record: 10-1 (plus-20.4 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Loss at No. 2 Ohio State 38-15
– **No. 8**: Miami Hurricanes
– Record: 10-1 (plus-20.0 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win vs. Wake Forest 42-14
– **No. 7**: Tennessee Volunteers
– Record: 9-2 (plus-20.1 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win vs. UTEP 56-0
– **No. 6**: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
– Record: 10-1 (plus-27.4 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win vs. Army 49-14
– **No. 5**: Georgia Bulldogs
– Record: 9-2 (plus-8.7 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win vs. UMass 59-21
– **No. 4**: Penn State Nittany Lions
– Record: 10-1 (plus-17.7 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win at Minnesota 26-25
– **No. 3**: Texas Longhorns
– Record: 10-1 (plus-24.4 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win vs. Kentucky 31-14
– **No. 2**: Ohio State Buckeyes
– Record: 10-1 (plus-27.5 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Win vs. No. 9 Indiana 38-15
– **No. 1**: Oregon Ducks
– Record: 11-0 (plus-19 avg. point diff.)
– Result: Bye
