• Georgia stays at the top: After a dominant 52-17 win over ninth-ranked Ole Miss, the Bulldogs earned the top spot.
• Michigan is right behind: The Wolverines also took down a top-10 team in Penn State this past weekend in their first true test of the season.
• Louisville enters the top 10: The Cardinals check in at No. 9 with their first 9-1 start in seven years.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
We’re entering the final couple weeks of the 2023 regular season and the College Football Playoff race is being whittled down.
Here’s a look at how we’d rank the top-25 teams in the country entering Week 12. Please note that these are not the same as PFF’s power rankings.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (Record: 10-0)
Week 12 Matchup: at No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers
Georgia passed its toughest test of the season with flying colors on Saturday, obliterating ninth-ranked Ole Miss 52-17 in Sanford Stadium. Senior running back Kendall Milton only received nine carries in the victory, but he absolutely made the most of them. He picked up 127 yards, two touchdowns and four forced missed tackles on those nine attempts, averaging a ridiculous 14.1 yards per carry.
It was the Bulldogs’ second-straight victory over a top-25 opponent after beating No. 12 Missouri a week ago. The defending back-to-back champions have an opportunity to make it three in a row this week at Tennessee.
2. Michigan Wolverines (Record: 10-0)
Week 12 Matchup: at Maryland Terrapins
Georgia wasn’t the only school to topple a top-10 opponent this weekend. Michigan went on the road and took down No. 10 Penn State, 24-15, on Saturday. The Wolverines ran all over the Nittany Lions and only attempted one pass the entire second half.
Making the victory even more impressive was the fact that the Wolverines did so without head coach Jim Harbaugh after he was suspended for three games due to the ongoing sign-stealing investigation. A temporary restraining order hearing is expected to be held on Friday, which would allow Harbaugh to return to the sidelines until the investigation is complete.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (Record: 10-0)
Week 12 Matchup: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
It was business as usual for Ohio State on Saturday, as it easily took care of Michigan State by a final score of 38-3. Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to be the hottest receiver in the country, catching seven passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns while scoring once on the ground as well. Since Week 6, the junior’s 727 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns lead all players in college football.
He’ll have an opportunity to further pad his stats this week against a Minnesota team that’s coming off back-to-back losses to Illinois and Purdue.
4. Washington Huskies (Record: 10-0)
Week 12 Matchup: at No. 17 Oregon State Beavers
Washington was able to outlast No. 18 Utah 35-28 on Saturday. Despite having the 11th-highest run rate in the country (60.2%), the Utes only ran the ball on 43.8% of their plays against the Huskies.
Oregon State likely won’t be as willing to make it a quarterback duel this weekend. The Beavers lead the nation with an 84.4 run-blocking grade and are fourth with a 34.8% first down/touchdown percentage on their rushing attempts.
5. Florida State Seminoles (Record: 10-0)
Week 12 Matchup: vs. North Alabama Lions
It wasn’t always pretty, but Florida State survived a 27-20 scare from Miami (FL) this past weekend.
The Seminoles can take a breath this weekend against North Alabama, an FCS school. Then, FSU plays Florida in “The Swamp” for the final game of the season. While the Gators stand just 5-5, they’re still a top-50 team in PFF’s power rankings. Plus, if Florida loses to Missouri this weekend, then that game against Florida State will decide whether or not the Gators play in a bowl game.
6. Texas Longhorns (Record: 9-1)
Week 12 Matchup: at Iowa State Cyclones
Even though Texas returned Quinn Ewers, it still endured a near-upset from TCU this past weekend, winning 29-26.
While the Longhorns got their starting quarterback back, they suffered a devastating loss on offense as well. Star running back Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL in the victory and will miss the rest of the season. Before the injury, he was the top running back prospect on PFF’s 2024 NFL Draft big board. True freshman CJ Baxter will take over as the lead back and was the top running back recruit in the 2023 class.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (Record: 9-1)
Week 12 Matchup: vs. Chattanooga Mocs
Alabama demolished Kentucky 49-21 off a masterclass from Jalen Milroe. The redshirt sophomore accounted for six total touchdowns against the Wildcats – three passing and three rushing. His 90.5 grade on the season is tied with Caleb Williams for eighth among all quarterbacks in the country.
He has an opportunity to put up more monster numbers against Chattanooga this week, an FCS school.
8. Oregon Ducks (Record: 9-1)
Week 12 Matchup: at Arizona State Sun Devils
Bo Nix outdueled Caleb Williams in a game that very well could’ve been between last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and this year’s. Nix earned an 85.6 passing grade in the 36-27 win as he threw for 412 yards, four touchdowns and a pair of big-time throws.
The fifth-year senior is now the betting favorite (+120) to win the Heisman according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
9. Louisville Cardinals (Record: 9-1)
Week 12 Matchup: at Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Despite entering the game as 20.5-point favorites, Louisville trailed in the fourth quarter against Virginia. The Cardinals were ultimately able to escape with a 31-24 win and start 9-1 for the first time since 2016, the year Lamar Jackson took home the school’s only Heisman Trophy.
Louisville can’t have another letdown performance if it wants to continue its dream season as it must travel on the road to face Miami, a game in which the Cardinals are only favored by 1.5 points.
10. Missouri Tigers (Record: 8-2)
Week 12 Matchup: vs. Florida Gators
After coming up short against Georgia a week ago, Missouri responded in a major way with a 36-7 win over No. 13 Tennessee.
Cody Schrader was nothing short of sensational against the Volunteers. The sixth-year running back ran for 205 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee while also leading the Tigers with 116 receiving yards. If Missouri is able to win its final two games, it could be playing in its first New Year’s Six bowl since 2013.
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