If there's one lesson to be learned from the events of this past week, it's that we should not put a lot of credence into polls.

And no, we're not talking about what happened on November 8.

The tops of the BCS, the AP and the Coach's polls were all left in tatters after a slate of games that saw teams previously favored to join Alabama in the playoffs lose in surprising fashion--and in some cases on the final play of their respective games. Do these losses eliminate Michigan, Washington and Clemson from contention?

It seems unlikely that the Selection Committee, college football's own Electoral College, will punish the Wolverines too badly for losing at Iowa, but Clemson and Washington both lost at home--the former to an unranked opponent no less.

Thankfully, we're not here to pick the winners of this most unusual (football) campaign, only the teams with the brightest future stars. Here are our CFB rankings after Week 11, from our usual fantasy perspective (won-loss records in parentheses).

 

NCAA College Football (CBB) Rankings

1. Alabama, (10-0)

We're not so sure about freshman QB Jalen Hurts' NFL future, but his immediate college future sure seems bright. On Saturday, he became the first Tide QB to pass for more than 300 yards (347) and rush for more than 100 (hitting the century mark exactly).

2. Louisville, (9-1)

It may be a stretch to say that the Cardinals would be 10-0 if their game against Clemson, our No. 1 team coming into the season, had been played in Kentucky, but here at Rotoballer College Football HQ we can make those kinds of claims. Future NFL QB Lamar Jackson did not have a big day throwing the ball against Wake Forest, but he ran for 153 yards--an indication an NFL team taking him in the 2018 draft will need an offensive coordinator with an open mind.

3. Ohio State, (9-1)

Suddenly the Buckeyes' loss at Penn State doesn't look so bad, and neither does QB JT Barrett. Receiver/tailback Curtis Samuel (five catches, 74 yards against Maryland) is peaking at the right time, too.

4. Michigan, (9-1)

Of the top teams to fall on Saturday, the Wolverines lost the least, in a sense, given that they played an always-tough Iowa team on the road. Now, with one loss, just like Ohio State, it looks like the showdown at "the Shoe" will likely determine one of the four BCS spots, but we knew that already.

5. Clemson, (9-1)

The alarms bells have been sounding most of the season. Even as they kept winning, the Tigers showed some vulnerability. QB Deshaun Watson, a future Cleveland Brown, set a passing record on Saturday, completing 52 of 70 passes for 580 yards, but his three picks likely cost his team the game against Pitt.

6. Western Michigan, (10-0)

We know. No other poll will rate Western this highly, but this isn't your typical poll. They are now one of two undefeated teams in the "bowl subdivision," and until that changes they have to be treated as such. We've said it before but we really like RB Javion Franklin (above), who had 134 yards on 31 carries in Western's 37-21 win over Kent State.

7. Boise State, (9-1)

There's nothing scientific about our poll. No data points to consider and numbers to crunch. Unlike Nate Silver, we go with our gut--and, unlike Silver, maybe we're right. Boise State is supposedly out of BCS contention because of its loss at Wyoming, but should they run the table and should all of the one-loss teams become two-loss teams... After all, they said a reality TV star could never become president.

8. Washington, (9-1)

Some argued that USC (ranked 20th in the AP) marked the Huskies first true test this season. If so, they failed. QB Jake Browning (259 yards, two TDs, three picks) was spotty, and RB Myles Gaskin (51 yards) was a no-show. Don't be surprised if Washington State walks away with the Apple Cup, and the Pac-12 ends up with no teams in the playoffs.

9. Oklahoma, (8-2)

Like Boise State, Oklahoma is waiting in the wings should a one-loss team falter. Remember, the Sooners' two losses came to Houston (away) and Ohio State, and they are now arguably the hottest team in the land, with a seven-game winning streak. Is Dede Westbrook (1,254 receiving yards, 14 TD catches) a future NFL wideout? Yes.

10. Penn State, (8-2)

As lifelong Penn State football fans, the past few years for us have been... Well, never mind. The Nittany Lions appear to be making headlines for the right reasons again, thanks in large part to RB Saquon Barkley. The "Say-Say Kid" did not have a big day against IU on Saturday (60 yards on 33 carries), but he did score two big TDs and has 1,113 yards on the season.