Alabama Remains Number 1 in Poll Ahead of Season’s First College Football Playoff Rankings

This week the first College Football Playoff rankings will be released, and Alabama is likely to be at the head of the pack. The Crimson Tide (8-0) had the weekend off after three victories in a row over ranked SEC teams. The AP poll voters gave ‘Bama 60 of 61 first place votes, with #2 Michigan (8-0) getting the other one. The Wolverines beat Michigan State 32-23 as the Spartans tailspin continues.

Clemson and Washington (both 8-0) remained at numbers 3 and 4 following close road wins against ranked teams. The Tigers beat then #12 Florida State 37-34 while the Huskies beat then #17 Utah 31-24. Both victories came on late fourth quarter touchdowns. Louisville (7-1) is no longer dominating the competition but did pull out a 32-25 win over Virginia and remains #5. Ohio State has come back to earth as well but managed a 24-20 win over Northwestern to remain at #6.

Four previously unbeaten teams suffered their first losses of the season. #7 Nebraska lost to # 11 Wisconsin 23-17 in overtime, #8 Baylor lost 35-34 at Texas, #10 West Virginia lost 37-20 at Oklahoma State, and #13 Boise State lost at Wyoming 30-28. Nebraska (7-1) remains in the Top 10 at #9, Wisconsin (6-2) moved up to #8 while Baylor fell to #13 and West Virginia to #14. The Big 12 has no teams in the AP Top 10. Texas A & M (7-1) is #7 and Florida (6-1) rounds out the Top 10 at #10.