NCAA Football Ratings Shaken Up after Three Undefeated Teams Fall

There was a shakeup at the top in the AP College Football Poll after three previously unbeaten teams fell by the wayside on November 12th.

The very top remained the same, as #1 Alabama showed why it’s at the top of the rankings. The Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 in the SEC) crushed Mississippi State 51-3. Alabama is now the unanimous #1 in the poll for the first time this season. The shakeup begins after that.

Previous #2 Clemson lost a wild one at home to Pittsburgh 43-42 when Panthers’ kicker Chris Blewitt didn’t blow it (sorry, couldn’t resist), booting a 48 yard game winning field goal with six seconds remaining. The Tigers (9-1, 6-1 in the ACC) dropped to #5 in this week’s poll.

Michigan took it’s 9-0 record and #3 ranking to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Though Iowa has had its ups and downs this season, Kinnick Stadium is a difficult venue for visitors no matter how good they are. Like the Clemson-Pittsburgh game, this one came down to a field goal at the end, with Hawkeye kicker Keith Duncan kicked a 33 yarder as the clock ran out to give Iowa a 14-13 win. Michigan (9-1, 6-1 in the Big Ten) dropped to fourth in the AP.Poll.

Out in Seattle, #4 Washington put its 9-0 record on the line against #20 USC. This game was tied 3-3 at the end of the first quarter but after that it was all USC, with quarterback Sam Darnold leading the way with two touchdown passes en route to a 26-13 victory. Washington (9-1, 6-1 in the Pac-12) dropped to seventh in the AP Poll. USC is on a roll, with six wins in a row.

The rest of the top ten: Louisville (9-1) is third, Wisconsin (8-2) is sixth, Oklahoma (8-2) is eighth. Penn State (8-2) is ninth, and West Virginia (8-1) is tenth. The only other unbeaten team is Western Michigan from the Mid American Conference. The Broncos (10-0) have been dominant this season, and are ranked 14th. No doubt their strength of schedule (or lack thereof) keeps them ranking higher.