ESPN released its most recent college football power rankings today, and there are some big changes to say the least.
Alabama rose to the top overall spot after a victory over previously ranked No. 1 Mississippi State. The Tide are now officially the best team in the SEC West and a virtual lock for the college football playoffs. They boast the conference's top defense, and have gotten increasingly better play from former running back Blake Sims at quarterback.
Florida State, the only remaining unbeaten team at 10-0, stayed at No. 2. FSU has now won 26 games in a row, dating back to last year. The Seminoles are ESPN College Football analyst Gene Wojciechowski's No. 1 team, although he hesitates to call them the nation's best team. He does, however, note FSU's advantages.
"The Seminoles have three things the other CFP contenders don't: a place-kicker who can split the uprights from the stadium parking lot while wearing construction boots, with the clock only a tick away from double zeroes; a quarterback who can make the kind of pressure throws that cause defensive coordinators to fling their headphones in disbelief; a roster that is convinced that no matter how crappy it plays, it will figure out a way to defuse the loss bomb with a thigh pad, trainer's tape and Jimbo Fisher's comb," Wojciechowski wrote.
While the Seminoles have not been nearly as dominant as they were a season ago, their resiliency is unquestioned. FSU has won three games after trailing by 15 points or more this year.
Oregon remained at No. 3 after enjoying a leisurely bye week. Mississippi State fell from No. 1 to No. 4. The Bulldogs' loss to Alabama puts their college football playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. The top four is more competitive than ever, and a loss in a big game such as this will linger in the committee's mind.
Ohio State climbed three spots to No. 5 after their second victory against a top-25 opponent this season. TCU, meanwhile, got bumped from the top five to No. 7 after struggling to beat Kansas over the weekend. TCU is largely considered to be Mississippi State's main competition for the fourth spot among the college football playoff teams.
