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Mike's NCAA college football power rankings for the top 25 NCAA college football teams before Week 11 of the 2024 season. Which teams are the best contenders for the expanded playoff?
The Big 12 (14) was turned on its ear and Ohio State proved its dominance over Penn State (again). Just another week of college football in November. The games are still exciting for now, but will the novelty wear off after a few years? Penn State losing to Ohio State means very little this year.
These rankings will vary from the AP ones because I don't go off speculation. I only go by what happened on the field. They have stabilized as the season goes on, but I don't get in the habit of ranking two-loss teams unless they deserve it.
The SEC is hard to rank because of everyone beating up on each other during conference play. The Big Ten (18)? That remains to be seen. Does a two-loss team in the Big Ten (18) deserve a ranking? I don't see one (because there isn't one. There are no two-loss teams in the Big Ten (18).
(25) Vanderbilt (6-3) (NR)
Last week: W 17-7 at Auburn
It's not just the Alabama win. One could say that Vandy tanked Virginia Tech's season and should have beaten Missouri. They also had their chances against Texas. Vanderbilt could have a large say in what happens in the SEC. The Dores still play South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee. Ouch.
(24) South Carolina (5-3) (NR)
Last week: W 44-20 vs. (9) Texas A&M
The South Carolina field rush may be the best of the season. ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/YGhgzUmPuH
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) November 3, 2024
South Carolina lost to LSU due to a controversial call and almost beat Alabama. Then they pull this. This team is better than people think.
(23) Colorado (6-2) ⇔
Last week: Bye
Colorado's November schedule became very important with the happenings of Week 10. The Buffs have a decent shot at a Big 12 (14) title.
(22) Kansas State (7-2) ⇓6
Last week: L 19-24 at Houston
THE COUGARS UPSET NO. 17 KANSAS STATE ?
Houston QB Zeon Chriss finished the game 11/11 with 2 total TDs ? pic.twitter.com/584xfOKZyo
— ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2024
The "big" win is over Colorado. They struggled against Kansas at home and lost to Houston. I know that Houston isn't the same team as they were a month ago, but this is still not a good look if you're looking to win the conference.
(21) Pittsburgh (7-0) ⇓6
Last week: L 25-48 at (18) SMU
This was Pitt's first true test, and they failed miserably. I probably shouldn't even have them this high, but the fact remains that Pitt is still a one-loss team.
(20) Army (8-0) ⇑2
Last week: BW 20-3 vs. Air Force
Bryson Daily didn't even play and Army still almost covered. Is this the year for Army?
Bryson Daily is the REAL deal. Should be in the Heisman race. Period. pic.twitter.com/zMz1WO63OA
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) October 20, 2024
(19) Clemson (6-2) ⇓7
Last week: L 21-33 vs. Louisville
Clemson's last chance to make a statement in their cushy ACC schedule beat them on their home field in a game that wasn't as close at the score indicated. Clemson scored 14 of their 21 points in the fourth quarter.
(18) Washington State (7-1) ⇑3
Last week: Bye
The Cougars move up by no fault of their own.
(17) LSU (6-2) ⇑2
Last week: Bye
It was a rough week for my top 25.
(16) Mississippi (7-2) ⇑4
Last week: W 63-31 at Arkansas
Before you go saying that this isn't a big win, remember that Arkansas beat Tennessee in Fayetteville earlier this season. Mississippi went in there and demolished the hogs. This wasn't because Taylen Green got hurt -- Malachi Singleton played well in his stead. Ole Miss just beat them. It happens.
(15) Texas A&M (7-2) ⇓6
Last week: L 20-44 at South Carolina
I'm beginning to think that the loss to South Carolina isn't that bad. Looking at LaNorris Sellers and Marcel Reed side by side, you can see why Carolina started Sellers from the beginning of the season. Seeing game action in most of the last 10 weeks has helped.
(14) Boise State (7-1) ⇑3
Last week: W 56-24 vs. San Diego State
The only loss being to Oregon will carry the Broncos, but they have no more pending big wins on the schedule.
(13) Iowa State (7-1) ⇓6
Last week: L 22-23 vs. Texas Tech
Is the Iowa win enough to keep the Cyclones afloat? With the way that Brendan Sullivan is playing, it might. The problem is that the Cyclones are going to have to do something for themselves if they want to get into the playoff.
(12) SMU (8-1) ⇑6
Last week: W 48-25 vs. (15) Pittsburgh
SMU is absolutely BLASTING Pitt pic.twitter.com/TVirTGTTrH
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) November 3, 2024
The only loss is to BYU and this is a big win. Someone needs to tell me how SMU lost RJ Maryland and got better. That makes absolutely no sense.
(11) Notre Dame (7-1) ⇑2
Last week: Bye
South Carolina demolishing A&M is a blemish that the Irish can't afford. The win is a little less impressive now.
(10) Indiana (9-0) ⇑4
Last week: W 47-10 vs. Michigan State
The Indiana football program began in 1887.
In its first 136 years, the Hoosiers NEVER started a season 9-0.
Now in its 137th year, and Curt Cignetti’s 1st, Indiana is a perfect 9-0.
And all 9 wins have come by at least 14 points.
Historic isn’t even enough to describe it. pic.twitter.com/neqXCdmiZP
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) November 2, 2024
Indiana scored 47 unanswered after falling behind 10-0. The other Michigan team might give them problems, but it's doubtful this year.
(9) Alabama (6-2) ⇑2
Last week: Bye before the Bayou
The Tide were on a bye and still moved up. That tells you what kind of week it was.
(8) Tennessee (7-1) ⇔
Last week: W 28-18 vs. Kentucky
I wasn't going to reward the Vols for this lackluster performance, but everyone else lost...
(7) Penn State (7-1) ⇓3
Last week: L 13-20 vs. (10) Ohio State
Penn State is running out of excuses.
Penn st hasn't scored an offensive td against Osu in 2 years.
Psu is playing musical chairs with their coordinators. Meanwhile, the HC is now 1-14 against top 5 ranked teams. At what point do we look at the real problem?
Stop rewarding Franklin with extensions he hasn't earned
— JD (@PA_R8ersfan) November 2, 2024
This is an issue that shouldn't be ignored, especially after all of the chances squandered by Penn State in this game. They have to feel as if they should have won this game. Penn State could have taken it a couple of times and left the game out there for Ohio State to claim.
Again, the problem is that this loss means less than any of Franklin's other losses to Ohio State and Michigan. The Nittany Lions are still firmly in the playoff picture. They would be on the outside looking in of a four-team playoff this year.
Penn State is still going to get rewarded and still get a playoff game...where they can lose to another top 5 team. But hey...they made the playoffs! It doesn't mean what it used to, but the playoff expansion could be the thing that saves James Franklin's job.
(6) Texas (7-1) ⇓1
Last week: Bye
Texas's signature wins are against average Michigan and Oklahoma teams. Those are looking worse and worse. It could be hard for Texas to stay afloat until the meeting with the Aggies.
(5) Miami (FL) (9-0) ⇑1
Last week: W 53-31 vs. Duke
Cam Ward's pedestrian game last week was all but erased by his second half against Duke. The Canes keep on winning. Cam keeps putting up huge stats. This hype train isn't slowing down anytime soon.
#Miami QB Cam Ward through 9 games:
• 204 points responsible for — No. 1
• 158 first downs — No. 1
• 91.7 QB rating — No. 1
• 33 total TDs — No. 1
• 29 pass TDs — No. 1
• 23 big-time throws — No. 1
• 3,146 pass yards — No. 2Except for *1 | #HE1SMAN pic.twitter.com/TUNFTohXM8
— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) November 4, 2024
I hate the fact that the Heisman Trophy has become another Davey O'Brien Award, but if Cam Ward wins it this year, I won't complain. Those numbers are almost as ridiculous as Ashton Jeanty's and against better competition.
(4) BYU (8-0) ⇓2
Last week: Bye
It was a bad week for a bye for the Cougs. The K-State loss hurts BYU's signature win enough to let the teams with road wins against top 5 teams in front of them. It's not a slight on the Cougars. They are clearly the class of the Big 12 (14) right now.
(3) Ohio State (7-1) ⇑7
Last week: W 20-13 at (4) Penn State
Road wins against top 5 teams count for something around here. Sorry, BYU.
(2) Georgia (7-1) ⇑1
Last week: W 34-20 vs. Florida
Sure, it's a win in a rivalry, but don't let Georgia flex on this one. Florida was down to their third-string quarterback 10 minutes in. The Gators were ahead and moving the ball when DJ Lagway went down. I'm not saying that Florida would have won, but I'm not saying they wouldn't have either. The Gators were the better team when Lagway was in there.
(1) Oregon (9-0) ⇔
Last week: W 38-17 at Michigan
“Oregon isn’t ready for real Big 10 football” pic.twitter.com/T44rHWlSHa
— Geaux Ducks (@GeauxDuck) October 26, 2024
Winning at Michigan doesn't mean much right now, but Oregon keeps winning and keeps winning convincingly. For now, that's enough to keep the Ducks on top.
Others Receiving Votes
- Missouri
- Arizona State
- Texas Tech
- Vanderbilt
- Louisville
- Minnesota
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