The Prez

NCAAF Power Rankings: Week 12

By The Prez - Covers Expert

Texas is tops in the land, bumping the Tide and Gators back in the polls. Also on the rise this week are TCU, Oregon and Clemson.

College Football - Top 25

Current Rank Last Week Change Team W-L
(ATS) 		Power Rating Team Comments
1 2 move up in rankings1 Texas 10-0
(4-5-1) 		-17.64 The Horns find out their Big 12 title opponent this weekend, but does it really matter whether it's Kansas State or Nebraska? UT's rush defense held Baylor to 0.2 yards per carry on Saturday.
2 1 move down in rankings1 Alabama 10-0
(7-3-0) 		-17.40 Mark Ingram might have salted away the Heisman with 149 yards and two TDs against Mississippi State. Tide get a glorified exhibition this week with Chattanooga ahead of the Iron Bowl.
3 4 move up in rankings1 Texas Christian 10-0
(7-3-0) 		-15.80 The Frogs jump the Gators in our rankings after spanking Utah but are still stuck in fourth in the BCS standings. You might see a little bit of a letdown this week at Wyoming, but a BCS bowl is now a lock.
4 3 move down in rankings1 Florida 10-0
(4-5-0) 		-15.21 The Gators don't deserve to be in the top three. They have not covered in four of their past five SEC games. UF did go unbeaten in the SEC for the first time since the 1996 title team. Layup this week with FIU ahead of Florida State.
5 5 no change in rankings Boise State 10-0
(7-3-0) 		-14.63 The Broncos got a break with big-name teams Southern Cal and Miami both losing last week - that's two fewer teams that BSU has to compete with for a BCS bowl spot. Big-time trap game this week at Utah State ahead of a matchup a week later with streaking Nevada.
6 6 no change in rankings Cincinnati 10-0
(6-4-0) 		-12.60 Usually when a team has two quarterbacks, it means it doesn't really have any. That's not the case with the Bearcats with Tony Pike and Zach Collaros. Overlooked is that UC has rushed for more than 200 yards in each of its past two games.
7 10 move up in rankings3 Oregon 8-2
(7-3-0) 		-12.30 The Ducks got back on track against the Sun Devils and can actually lose this week at Arizona and still go to the Rose Bowl with a bit of help. Oregon's previous best Rose Bowl chance came in 2007 when QB Dennis Dixon was lost to a season-ending injury in a loss at Arizona.
8 7 move down in rankings1 Ohio State 9-2
(8-3-0) 		-12.00 Buckeyes are headed to Pasadena after that closer-than-expected win over Iowa. When has Michigan week meant so little in the grand scheme of things? Realistically it means more to a desperate UM program.
9 8 move down in rankings1 Georgia Tech 10-1
(7-3-0) 		-11.81 The Jackets (10-1) have won eight in a row and have their best record through 11 games since the 1990 team started 10-0-1 and claimed the national championship in the coaches' poll. These Jackets get a week off to prepare for Georgia before the ACC title game.
10 12 move up in rankings2 Penn State 9-2
(5-6-0) 		-11.43 This week's game at Michigan State is important for the Nittany Lions, as they are still in line for a possible BCS at-large spot. You just knew that letdown Indiana game last week was going to be a struggle for PSU.
11 11 no change in rankings Louisiana State 8-2
(4-6-0) 		-11.27 Tigers got caught in a trap game last week but were able to escape Louisiana Tech. QB Jarrett Lee didn't look good last week, but starting QB Jordan Jefferson should be back Saturday vs. Ole Miss.
12 14 move up in rankings2 Pittsburgh 9-1
(6-3-0) 		-11.22 Panthers get a much-needed week off before finishing up with the Backyard Brawl and a likely de facto Big East title game with Cincinnati.
13 9 move down in rankings4 Iowa 9-2
(7-3-0) 		-11.00 Pretty noble effort for the battered Hawkeyes in Columbus on Saturday. The Fiesta Bowl reportedly has eyes for Iowa, because of large alumni base around Phoenix - assuming Iowa isn't upset this week at home against Minnesota.
14 15 move up in rankings1 Virginia Tech 7-3
(5-5-0) 		-10.82 The Hokies love November. Since joining the ACC, Tech is 18-2 in November games and 16-2 against conference opponents. Their streak of 10-win seasons should be on the line at whatever bowl game they go to.
15 18 move up in rankings3 Stanford 7-3
(7-3-0) 		-10.55 Would anyone in the country like to play the Cardinal right now? Stanford should handle Cal this week as the Bears are again without Jahvid Best, but the Cardinal need help to reach the Rose Bowl.
16 17 move up in rankings1 Oklahoma State 8-2
(5-3-1) 		-9.63 The Big 12's only shot at a second BCS bowl team rests with the Cowboys (assuming Texas isn't upset along the way). It appears QB Zac Robinson will start Thursday night's game against Colorado after suffering what was feared to be a concussion against Texas Tech on Saturday.
17 24 move up in rankings7 Clemson 7-3
(8-2-0) 		-9.51 The Tigers only need to beat sinking Virginia on Saturday to reach the ACC title game and a rematch with Georgia Tech. C.J. Spiller caught a TD pass, threw one and ran for one against N.C. State on Saturday? It's obvious coach Dabo Swinney is trying to get his guy Heisman love.
18 13 move down in rankings5 Southern California 7-3
(2-8-0) 		-9.47 The aura is gone around the Trojans now after allowing the most points in school history in the loss to Stanford. USC is tied for fifth place in the Pac-10 and staring at a second-tier bowl game for the first time since 2001. This bye week is much-needed in Troy.
19 22 move up in rankings3 Nebraska 7-3
(7-3-0) 		-9.42 It's pretty simple for the Huskers: Beat Kansas State and they are in the Big 12 title game against Texas. Lose and they aren't. After scoring just four offensive touchdowns the previous four weeks, Nebraska had three against Kansas on Saturday.
20 16 move down in rankings4 Brigham Young 8-2
(5-5-0) 		-9.31 The Cougars close with tough home games against Air Force and Utah, but they are just 2-2 at home this season, having been routed by both Florida State and TCU. BYU didn't lose in Provo from 2006-08.
21 26 move up in rankings5 Oklahoma 6-4
(4-5-1) 		-8.85 Could these be the final weeks of Bob Stoops leading the Sooners? He's rumored to have interest in the soon-to-be-open Notre Dame job. OU's offense looked back on track Saturday against Texas A&M, but the Aggies can't stop anyone.
22 23 move up in rankings1 Texas Tech 6-4
(5-4-0) 		-8.56 Little bit less at stake this year compared to last for the Red Raiders against Oklahoma this weekend. Sounds like Taylor Potts will be Mike Leach's starter this week at QB.
23 20 move down in rankings3 Utah 8-2
(3-7-0) 		-8.48 The books cleaned up on the Utes, as the public was all over Utah getting 20 points against TCU on Saturday. That 55-28 loss was the most points Utah has allowed since 1990.
24 19 move down in rankings5 Miami 7-3
(6-4-0) 		-8.18 You could almost see that the Canes lost their motivation on Saturday against North Carolina after seeing Georgia Tech win in an earlier game to clinch the ACC Coastal. But 10 wins would be a very nice step for this young team, which will happen if UM wins out (including bowl).
25 21 move down in rankings4 West Virginia 7-3
(3-6-0) 		-7.94 Two years ago, WVU was riding high heading into the Backyard Brawl and saw Pitt blow up its season. Next Friday, the shoe is on the other foot, as the Mountaineers have little to play for while the Panthers are fighting for the Big East crown.

College Football - Teams 26-119

Current Rank Last Week Change Team W-L
(ATS) 		Power Rating  
26 27 move up in rankings1 Mississippi 7-3
(6-4-0) 		-7.82
27 25 move down in rankings2 Arizona 6-3
(4-5-0) 		-7.29
28 28 no change in rankings Notre Dame 6-4
(3-7-0) 		-6.63
29 32 move up in rankings3 Tennessee 5-5
(6-4-0) 		-6.05
30 29 move down in rankings1 Auburn 7-4
(5-6-0) 		-5.98
31 31 no change in rankings Boston College 7-3
(6-3-0) 		-5.77
32 36 move up in rankings4 Arkansas 6-4
(5-4-0) 		-5.41
33 34 move up in rankings1 Navy 8-3
(7-4-0) 		-5.41
34 30 move down in rankings4 Kansas 5-5
(2-7-0) 		-4.86
35 35 no change in rankings Houston 8-2
(6-3-0) 		-4.79
36 40 move up in rankings4 Oregon State 7-3
(5-4-0) 		-4.73
37 38 move up in rankings1 Wisconsin 8-2
(5-5-0) 		-4.57
38 37 move down in rankings1 Connecticut 4-5
(8-1-0) 		-4.55
39 43 move up in rankings4 Central Michigan 8-2
(7-2-0) 		-4.46
40 41 move up in rankings1 Temple 8-2
(7-2-0) 		-4.36
41 47 move up in rankings6 Air Force 7-4
(6-4-0) 		-4.20
42 50 move up in rankings8 Nevada 7-3
(5-5-0) 		-4.11
43 33 move down in rankings10 South Florida 6-3
(4-4-0) 		-4.10
44 48 move up in rankings4 Northern Illinois 7-3
(6-4-0) 		-3.67
45 44 move down in rankings1 California 7-3
(5-5-0) 		-3.61
46 42 move down in rankings4 Kentucky 6-4
(5-5-0) 		-3.57
47 39 move down in rankings8 South Carolina 6-5
(6-5-0) 		-3.39
48 46 move down in rankings2 Michigan State 6-5
(4-5-1) 		-3.36
49 45 move down in rankings4 Missouri 6-4
(5-5-0) 		-3.05
50 51 move up in rankings1 Rutgers 7-2
(5-4-0) 		-3.02
51 53 move up in rankings2 Fresno State 6-4
(6-3-0) 		-2.59
52 52 no change in rankings Florida State 5-5
(3-7-0) 		-2.04
53 49 move down in rankings4 Michigan 5-6
(5-6-0) 		-1.85
54 57 move up in rankings3 East Carolina 6-4
(4-5-0) 		-1.71
55 59 move up in rankings4 North Carolina 7-3
(5-4-0) 		-1.60
56 55 move down in rankings1 Troy 7-3
(6-4-0) 		-1.46
57 54 move down in rankings3 Arizona State 4-6
(5-4-0) 		-1.45
58 63 move up in rankings5 UCLA 5-5
(5-5-0) 		-1.15
59 67 move up in rankings8 Southern Mississippi 6-4
(4-5-0) 		-1.12
60 64 move up in rankings4 Mississippi State 4-6
(5-4-0) 		-1.04
61 62 move up in rankings1 Georgia 6-4
(3-7-0) 		-1.04
62 58 move down in rankings4 Texas A&M 5-5
(4-5-1) 		-0.90
63 72 move up in rankings9 Central Florida 6-4
(7-2-0) 		-0.80
64 60 move down in rankings4 Duke 5-5
(4-3-1) 		-0.74
65 61 move down in rankings4 Virginia 3-7
(5-4-0) 		-0.71
66 56 move down in rankings10 Tulsa 4-6
(5-4-1) 		-0.68
67 68 move up in rankings1 Northwestern 7-4
(4-6-0) 		-0.31
68 69 move up in rankings1 Iowa State 6-5
(6-4-0) 		-0.13
69 65 move down in rankings4 Wake Forest 4-7
(5-6-0) 		0.01
70 70 no change in rankings Idaho 7-4
(7-4-0) 		0.16
71 66 move down in rankings5 Washington 3-7
(5-5-0) 		0.36
72 74 move up in rankings2 Minnesota 6-5
(5-6-0) 		0.63
73 73 no change in rankings Indiana 4-7
(7-3-0) 		0.72
74 81 move up in rankings7 Middle Tennessee St. 7-3
(7-3-0) 		0.78
75 75 no change in rankings Kansas State 6-5
(6-4-0) 		0.84
76 76 no change in rankings Louisiana Tech 3-7
(6-4-0) 		0.95
77 77 no change in rankings Marshall 5-5
(6-3-0) 		1.00
78 71 move down in rankings7 North Carolina State 4-6
(4-5-1) 		1.10
79 79 no change in rankings Purdue 4-7
(5-5-1) 		1.50
80 78 move down in rankings2 Baylor 4-6
(5-5-0) 		2.11
81 80 move down in rankings1 Colorado 3-7
(5-4-0) 		2.14
82 82 no change in rankings Bowling Green 5-5
(5-5-0) 		2.57
83 96 move up in rankings13 Ohio 7-3
(6-4-0) 		3.05
84 91 move up in rankings7 Kent State 5-5
(6-3-0) 		3.17
85 86 move up in rankings1 Western Michigan 5-6
(3-8-0) 		3.38
86 94 move up in rankings8 Southern Methodist 6-4
(5-4-0) 		3.44
87 92 move up in rankings5 Alabama-Birmingham 5-5
(5-5-0) 		3.51
88 85 move down in rankings3 San Diego State 4-6
(3-7-0) 		3.56
89 83 move down in rankings6 Syracuse 3-7
(5-5-0) 		3.61
90 88 move down in rankings2 Texas El Paso 3-7
(4-6-0) 		3.87
91 87 move down in rankings4 Illinois 3-7
(3-7-0) 		3.92
92 84 move down in rankings8 Colorado State 3-7
(2-7-0) 		3.95
93 95 move up in rankings2 Arkansas State 2-7
(2-6-0) 		4.07
94 101 move up in rankings7 Utah State 3-7
(7-3-0) 		4.34
95 89 move down in rankings6 Toledo 4-6
(4-6-0) 		4.39
96 100 move up in rankings4 UL Monroe 6-4
(6-4-0) 		4.42
97 93 move down in rankings4 Wyoming 5-5
(7-2-0) 		4.43
98 99 move up in rankings1 Buffalo 3-7
(4-6-0) 		4.47
99 97 move down in rankings2 Louisville 4-6
(4-5-0) 		4.59
100 90 move down in rankings10 Maryland 2-8
(2-7-1) 		4.62
101 98 move down in rankings3 Ball State 1-9
(5-5-0) 		4.64
102 103 move up in rankings1 Army 4-6
(3-7-0) 		5.07
103 104 move up in rankings1 Hawaii 4-6
(4-5-0) 		5.28
104 102 move down in rankings2 Vanderbilt 2-9
(4-6-0) 		5.32
105 105 no change in rankings Florida Atlantic 3-6
(3-6-0) 		5.57
106 107 move up in rankings1 Florida International 3-7
(4-6-0) 		6.69
107 108 move up in rankings1 UL Lafayette 5-5
(4-5-0) 		7.03
108 106 move down in rankings2 Memphis 2-8
(2-8-0) 		7.39
109 109 no change in rankings UNLV 4-7
(3-7-0) 		7.39
110 110 no change in rankings Akron 2-8
(4-6-0) 		8.01
111 112 move up in rankings1 North Texas 2-8
(4-6-0) 		8.13
112 113 move up in rankings1 New Mexico 0-10
(3-7-0) 		9.57
113 111 move down in rankings2 San Jose State 1-8
(2-7-0) 		9.83
114 114 no change in rankings New Mexico State 3-7
(4-6-0) 		10.06
115 115 no change in rankings Tulane 3-7
(3-7-0) 		10.89
116 116 no change in rankings Rice 1-9
(3-6-1) 		12.00
117 118 move up in rankings1 Miami (Ohio) 1-10
(5-6-0) 		12.14
118 117 move down in rankings1 Washington State 1-9
(5-5-0) 		12.70
119 120 move up in rankings1 Western Kentucky 0-10
(4-6-0) 		12.77
120 119 move down in rankings1 Eastern Michigan 0-10
(3-7-0) 		13.04

Power Ratings compute offensive and defensive statistics into one number for each team, while accounting for factors like recent performances and strength of schedule. Power Ratings can be used as a baseline for relative spread index to compare current or future match-ups between two teams. The relative spread does not account for non-statistical factors like home-field advantage, recent injuries, game time decisions, rivalries, publicity, and weather.

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