USC drops to No. 4 ahead of Ohio State at No. 5
USC is in the top four in the college football playoff standings.
The Trojans’ win over Notre Dame and Michigan’s road win over Ohio State propelled USC two spots and into the top four in the season’s second-to-last standings.
If USC defeats Utah in Friday night’s Pac-12 title game, the Trojans will advance to the college football playoffs.
Georgia remained at No. 1 while Michigan moved to No. 2 and the TCU to No. 3. The Buckeyes are at No. 5 ahead of Alabama at No. 6 and are poised to potentially move to the playoffs the final week of the season despite missing the Big Ten title game if TCU or USC lose.
The top four teams in Tuesday night’s standings heading into the conference championship weekend were ultimately unsurprising. All four teams in the top four are favored in their title games and will advance to the playoffs with wins.
Ohio State lost by 22 to Michigan on Saturday and will be on the sidelines. That loss could keep Ohio State out of the top four if USC or TCU lose a close game. Utah is ranked No. 11 and Kansas State is No. 10. The committee showed Tuesday night that they think highly of both opponents.
Tennessee is No. 7 and in contention for a spot in a New Year’s Six Bowl ahead of Penn State and Clemson. The Tigers haven’t dropped out of the top 10 despite losing to South Carolina on Saturday and face No. 23 North Carolina for the ACC title. The winner of this game will go to the Orange Bowl.
The final playoff standings are expected to be released Sunday at noon ET. These rankings will determine the playoff field and entrants to the Cotton, Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls. The rest of the bowl matchups will be announced in the hours following the reveal of the six New Year’s Eve matches.
College Football Playoff Rankings
1. Georgia (12-0)
2. Michigan (12-0)
3. TCU (12-0)
4. USC (11-1)
5. Ohio State (11-1)
6. Alabama (10-2)
7. Tennessee (10-2)
8. Penn State (10-2)
9. Clemson (10-2)
10. Kansas State (9-3)
11. Utah (9-3)
12. Washington (10-2)
13. Florida State (9-3)
14. ASU (9-3)
15. Oregon State (9-3)
16. Oregon (9-3)
17. UCLA (9-3)
18. Tulane (10-2)
19. South Carolina (8-4)
20.Texas (8-4)
21. Notre Dame (8-4)
22. UCF (9-3)
23. North Carolina (9-3)
24. Mississippi State (8-4)
25. NC status (8-4)
