There are four undefeated teams with three weeks remaining, and one team guaranteed to lose before the Dec. 4 College Football Playoff selection show.
It’s not No. 4 TCU. The Horned Frogs kept their dream season alive with a 17-10 victory at Texas on Saturday. It was a defensive performance in which TCU limited the Longhorns to 199 yards. The Horned Frogs don’t have a margin of error in the Big 12, but they’ve been perfect so far.
No. 1 Georgia dominated Mississippi State 45-19 to return to the SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs are allowing just 11.6 points per game.
MORE: Updated Heisman race after Week 11
The loser comes when No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan play Nov. 26. The Wolverines are now No. 1 in the FBS in scoring defense (11.2) after a 34-3 win over Nebraska. The Buckeyes (15.6) aren’t far behind after a 56-14 win over Indiana.
College football is an offensive game, but these teams are showing that defense can be the difference in the playoffs.
With that in mind, here’s how the Top 25 shake out voting week 12:
Top 25 for week 12
1. Georgia (10-0)
Georgia continued its perfect season with a 45-19 win over Mississippi State. Georgia clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game and can complete another undefeated regular season in conference play with a win against Kentucky in Week 12. Georgia beat Mississippi State 179-47, and Stetson Bennett passed for 289 yards and three TDs. Georgia has won 18 straight SEC regular season games.
Well. 2 Ohio State (10-0)
The Buckeyes totaled 662 yards in a 56-14 win against Indiana. CJ Stroud passed for 297 yards and five TDs, and Miyan Williams (147 yards) and Dallan Hayden (102 yards) both topped 100 yards. The Buckeyes have now won 29 consecutive Big Ten home games, a streak they will begin against Michigan on the 26th. November.
MORE: Miyan Williams goes cartwheel after leg injury
Well. 3 Michigan (10-0)
Michigan limited Nebraska to 147 yards in a 34-3 blowout. The defense was dominant and the Wolverines were content to keep it on the ground with Blake Corum (162 yards, TD). JJ McCarthy finished 8/17 for 129 yards and two TDs. Michigan closes out its home game against Illinois.
Well. 4 TCU (10-0)
The Horned Frogs passed the most important road test, winning 17-10 in Texas’ 18th non-conventional game in which TCU led 3-0 at halftime. Kendre Miller scored with a 75-yard TD, and Max Duggan connected with Quentin Johnson for a 31-yard TD in the second half. As a result, TCU maintains its spot in the playoff driver’s seat.
Well. 5 Tennessee (9-1)
The Volunteers rolled to a 66-24 victory at Missouri and are now averaging 47.4 points and 544.1 yards per game through 10 games. Hendon Hooker passed for 355 yards and three TDs as Tennessee bounced back from a loss to Georgia in Week 10. Did the Vols score? Yes, but that might be a necessity to impress the committee, and they might try to do that against South Carolina and Vanderbilt over the next two weeks.
Well. 6 LSU (8-2)
LSU clinched its spot in the SEC Championship Game. Freshman Harold Perkins turned in a four-sack performance, and the Tigers ran away from Arkansas with a 13-10 win, moving them one step closer to an SEC title under first-year coach Brian Kelly. Could LSU be the first two-loss team to make the CFP?
MORE: Perkins battles flu to dominate Razorbacks
No. 7 USC (9-1)
The Trojans blanked Colorado 55-17 despite losing leading rusher Travis Dye for the season to a foot injury. Dye (884 yards, 9 TDs) will miss the game against UCLA. The Pac-12 rivals have split the last 10 meetings.
MORE: Blackout for season after leg injury against Colorado
Well. 8 Alabama (8-2)
The Crimson Tide held off Ole Miss in a 30-24 road win that eliminated the Rebels from the CFP picture. Alabama will likely remain in the top 10 in the playoff rankings, even without a viable playoff path due to losses to Tennessee and LSU. Nick Saban will likely have to settle for the sixth berth on New Year’s Day.
MORE: Kentucky affiliate ends Alabama-Ole Miss game
No. 9 Clemson (9-1)
Clemson bounced back from a loss to Notre Dame with a 31-16 win over Louisville. Oregon’s loss also gives hope here. The Tigers have an outside shot at making the CFP with an ACC championship, but it won’t be easy.
Well. 10 North Carolina (9-1)
North Carolina moves into the top 10 after a 36-34 win over Wake Forest, and Drake Maye passed for 448 yards and three TDs to move into the Heisman conversation. Mack Brown has North Carolina in position for a special season, and Georgia Tech is next.
11. Utah (8-2)
12. Penn State (8-2)
13. Ole Miss (8-2)
14. Oregon (8-2)
15. Washington (8-2)
16. UCLA (8-2)
17. UCF (8-2)
18. Notre Dame (7-3)
19. Florida State (7-3)
20. Kansas State (7-3)
21. Oklahoma State (7-3)
22. Tulane (8-2)
23. Cincinnati (8-2)
24. Illinois (7-3)
25. UTSA (8-2)
