CFP Rankings: Cincinnati enters top 4, Ohio State jumps to No. 2
The fourth edition of the College Football Playoff Rankings featured a shake-up within the top four. Georgia remains in the top spot ahead of the final weekend of conference play for most of the Power 5.
Ohio State climbed up one spot to No. 2 after a decisive 56-7 win over Michigan State. Alabama dropped one spot to No. 3.
Cincinnati claimed the fourth spot with its dramatic victory against SMU, becoming the first-ever Group of 5 team to sit in a playoff position.
"We've had a lot of respect for Cincinnati all year," CFP chairman Gary Barta said, according to Stewart Mandel of The Athletic. "We've certainly talked about their strength of schedule. This win against SMU, when we were looking at the way they played offensively and defensively, they came in at No. 4."
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 11-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 10-1 |
| 3 | Alabama | 10-1 |
| 4 | Cincinnati | 11-0 |
Michigan occupies the No. 5 spot ahead of a pivotal matchup against rival Ohio State. The winner will punch their ticket to the Big Ten championship game.
Notre Dame sits on the outside looking in after a lopsided 55-0 win over Georgia Tech. The Fighting Irish could be in a prime position to enter the top four if they go undefeated through the final two weeks of the calendar.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Michigan | 10-1 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 10-1 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 10-1 |
| 8 | Baylor | 9-2 |
| 9 | Ole Miss | 9-2 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 10-1 |
Oregon sits outside the top 10 following its second conference loss of the season.
No. 7 Oklahoma State will try to make its case for a playoff slot when it renews hostilities with rival No. 10 Oklahoma on Saturday.
Michigan State will attempt to rebound against Penn State after dropping six spots to No. 12 following its lopsided loss to the Buckeyes.
Wisconsin can clinch the Big Ten West and punch its ticket to the conference title game with a win over Minnesota.
Following its first top-10 appearance a week ago, Wake Forest slipped to No. 18 after taking its second defeat of the season at the hands of Clemson.
The No. 23 Tigers, meanwhile, rejoined the CFP Rankings after putting together four consecutive wins in the ACC.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Oregon | 9-2 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 9-2 |
| 13 | BYU | 9-2 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 8-3 |
| 15 | Texas A&M | 8-3 |
| 16 | Iowa | 9-2 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh | 9-2 |
| 18 | Wake Forest | 9-2 |
| 19 | Utah | 8-3 |
| 20 | NC State | 8-3 |
| 21 | San Diego State | 10-1 |
| 22 | UTSA | 11-0 |
| 23 | Clemson | 8-3 |
| 24 | Houston | 10-1 |
| 25 | Arkansas | 7-4 |
The fifth edition of the CFP Rankings will be released Nov. 30.