Week 12 in college football saw several top-ranked teams face significant challenges, yet many of them emerged victorious, reinforcing their standing in the CBS Sports 134 rankings. The week’s upsets and narrow victories helped to clarify the top teams and showcased the resilience of some of the nation’s elite programs.
The biggest shake-up in the rankings was BYU’s dramatic fall from No. 6 to No. 14, following its loss to Kansas. The Cougars, who had been undefeated, were expected to hold steady in the playoff conversation, but their first defeat of the season caused a significant drop. Meanwhile, other teams like Alabama and Ole Miss managed to climb into the top 10. Despite not playing in Week 12, Ole Miss moved up to No. 8, while Alabama rose to No. 7 after dispatching FCS opponent Mercer, a victory that was not particularly impressive but enough to shift them up the rankings.
Georgia, a team that had fluctuated in and out of the top 10 this season, made a notable return, jumping four spots from No. 13 to No. 9. Their impressive road victory over Tennessee — who themselves fell from No. 7 to No. 12 after the loss — played a key role in Georgia’s rise. Tennessee’s drop also opened the door for other teams to move up, and the Bulldogs’ positioning at No. 9 put them back in playoff contention, especially with the SEC Championship still on the horizon.
The top five in the rankings remained stable after Week 12, with Oregon, Ohio State, and Texas continuing to hold the top three spots, followed by Indiana and Penn State. Oregon, sitting at No. 1 with a perfect 11-0 record, had a narrow victory in a tough road environment, which only solidified their spot as the top team in the country. Ohio State, Texas, and Indiana, all with one loss each, held their positions as well, thanks to solid performances and the inability of other contenders to significantly outpace them.
While many of the rankings adjustments were caused by teams dropping after losses, there were still positive movements further down the list. For example, teams like Texas A&M and Colorado saw modest improvements in their rankings due to other teams’ struggles or idle weeks.
Outside of the top 10, some programs like SMU (No. 11), Boise State (No. 13), and Miami (No. 10) continued to impress with one-loss records, though none seem poised to crack the top five just yet. SMU’s continued dominance in the American Athletic Conference and Miami’s strong play in the ACC both contributed to their rise, despite the stacked competition above them.
The overall theme of Week 12 was one of survival, with teams in the top 10 managing to avoid catastrophic losses, even if their performances weren’t always flawless. As the season heads into its final stretch, the rankings reflect both the talent of these teams and the ever-present pressure of staying perfect or near-perfect in the final weeks before the College Football Playoff selection. Teams like Oregon, Ohio State, and Texas look primed for postseason play, while others, including Georgia and Alabama, remain in the hunt, making this an exciting race as we move into Week 13.
