College Football Ratings Week 12 2022
Week 12 promised a lot of chaos but delivered only a small amount. Last week, I highlighted the 9 teams with legitimate chances of making the playoff. Two of them (Tennessee and North Carolina) lost, knocking them out of contention. However, two others (Michigan and TCU) looked likely to lose until some late heroics led them to wins.
Top 25
Georgia
Ohio State
Michigan
LSU (+5)
Penn State
Florida State (+2)
Alabama (-1)
Kansas State (-1)
Texas (+1)
Tennessee (-6)
Illinois (+7)
Oregon (-1)
Notre Dame (+6)
TCU (-2)
Oregon State
Houston (+20)
Utah (-4)
Mississippi State (+3)
Clemson (+8)
Baylor (-3)
Texas Tech (+2)
USC (-6)
Pittsburgh (-9)
Minnesota (+4)
UCLA (-5)
My model has warmed up to LSU faster than most. I know I’m in the minority to have the Tigers #2 in the SEC (most models will have Alabama higher and some will have Tennessee as well) but they covered with ease against a decent UAB team. I think the Tigers might end up being only a single digit underdog aginst Georgia in the SEC title game. Notre Dame continues to climb up the rankings and should make a NY6 bowl if they beat USC this weekend. Houston was a small underdog against East Carolina and dominated the Pirates 42-3. They were tipped as a fringe playoff contender in the preseason and we finally saw that upside for the first time in that game.
Moving Up
It should be no surprise to see South Carolina (81st → 42nd) at the top of this list. Spencer Rattler’s transfer from Oklahoma was much-discussed and he showed his potential for the first time all year in a dominating performance against Tennessee. Maryland (63rd → 35th) has had an up and down season but played admirably close against Ohio State. Middle Tennessee (107th → 91st) punched their ticket to a bowl game with a win over Florida Atlantic and looks to have quieted any questions about Rick Stockskill’s job.
Moving Down
East Carolina (39th → 72nd) got trucked by Houston. I thought that the Pirates were knocking on the door of the top of the AAC but after this loss they’re headed to a low-tier bowl game. Miami (56th → 77th) continues their descent down the rankings with a horrendous offensive performance against Clemson. The Hurricanes need an upset win against Pitt to make a bowl game in Mario Cristobal’s first season. Florida Atlantic (85th → 103rd) and the questions are swirling about Willie Taggart’s job as the Owls get ready to jump to the AAC next year. The Owls travel to Western Kentucky this weekend and Taggart, a WKU alum, probably needs an upset win in that game to keep his job.