New College Football AP Poll Puts Big Ten in the Spotlight

Atticus Sappington #36 and Ross James #92 of the Oregon Ducks react after making a 24-yard field goal to take the lead in the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. on Nov. 16, 2024. John Fisher/Getty Images

More surprising and significant losses moved teams up and down this week’s AP Poll. Now, the Big Ten owns four of the top five spots in the poll, but we already know that one of those teams will suffer a loss this coming weekend.

Two games this week will have an enormous impact on the poll and the College Football Playoff picture. The first is undefeated Army traveling to South Bend to face a Notre Dame team that has a top-five spot on the line. The second will shape the immediate playoff picture for the Big Ten as undefeated Indiana travels to Columbus to face Ohio State.

1. Oregon (11–0, Big Ten)

One of two remaining undefeated teams in the Big Ten, Oregon is in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth in the conference with a win over Ohio State already in the bag. The other undefeated team in the conference gets their crack at the Buckeyes this weekend.

2. Ohio State (9–1, Big Ten)

The Buckeyes will host the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon in the most important game of the entire college football season across the nation. A win for Ohio State should put them in a great position to make the playoffs, even if they lose the conference championship game. A loss could be devastating.

3. Texas (9–1, SEC)

The Longhorns appear to be destined for a playoff berth and the SEC championship game in their first season in the conference. They host Kentucky this weekend.

4. Penn State (9–1, Big Ten)

The Nittany Lions are in a great position to make the playoffs with just one loss and the odds being against them having to play in the Big Ten championship game because of their loss to Ohio State. They’re in Minnesota on Saturday afternoon.

5. Indiana (10–0, Big Ten)

The game on Saturday in Columbus might be the biggest in the history of the program. A win puts them in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth and a spot in the conference championship game. A loss could knock them out of the top ten, even with only one L on their record.

6. Notre Dame (9–1, Independent)

The Irish hammering Virginia helped them move up two spots, and they stand to climb even higher with two of the five teams above them in this week’s poll playing each other on Saturday.

7. Alabama (8–2, SEC)

Alabama had their late-season bye against Mercer this past weekend and did what was expected (read: blowout win). They’re at Oklahoma this weekend, which could be an interesting game if the Sooners show up.

8. Georgia (8–2, SEC)

Coming off a huge conference win, Georgia hosts… UMass this weekend in what effectively is a bye for the Bulldogs.

9. Mississippi (8–2, SEC)

If there’s a trap game on the schedule this weekend it’s Ole Miss at Florida. The Gators are playing better of late, and the Rebels are one of the four SEC teams battling for a playoff berth. The committee is going to have a hard time ranking the four because they’ve beaten each other up.

10. Tennessee (8–2, SEC)

Another SEC November bye with UTEP heading to Knoxville this weekend to face a Tennessee team trying to get back on track and lock up a playoff position.

11. Miami (9–1, ACC)

The Hurricanes host Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon. They—and the conference—need a win, and to keep The U in the top ten conversation.

12. Boise State (9–1, Mountain West)

Boise State now has UNLV closing in on the Mountain West race. They play at Wyoming on Saturday evening.