College football rankings: What Ohio State’s defeat to Michigan means for Alabama, Cincinnati and more

The memory is finally over. Michigan beat Ohio State.

It was a major occasion for Wolverines loyalists, who filled Michigan Stadium to watch their team beat Ohio State 42-27. It’s arguably the biggest win of the Jim Harbaugh era in Ann Arbor, if not long before his arrival in 2015. And it’s not a Buckeyes team without any talent: The Wolverines finished second alone. simply taking on the 2nd team in the country, winning the Big Ten East championship and knocking the Buckeyes (10-2) out of competition in the College Soccer Qualifiers.

Speaking of which: Welcome to the table, Michigan.

THAN: Ohio State vs. Michigan, updates, highlights from the 2021 ‘The Game’ showdown

With this win, the Wolverines are in stiff competition to land their first ever University of Football. Winning the Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin or Iowa is all that lies between them and the playoffs.

However, victory wasn’t just for the werewolves. Other teams watched the show with great interest. With that, here’s what Michigan’s win over the Buckeyes means in the latest College Football Playoff rankings:

Rank reflects Week 12 College football knockout week 12

THAN: Michigan, Ohio gets into a scuffle during halftime in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium

Alabama (10-1)

Previously ranked: 3

Alabama still has to beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Either way, it shouldn’t care about results from “Game.” The Crimson Tide still needs to beat the Tigers and then No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship match to qualify for the playoffs. Either loss will remove them from contention. As it stands, expect Alabama to remain 3rd in the nation (assuming a win on Saturday) heading into the weekend’s game championship.

Cincinnati (12-0)

Previously ranked: 4

The Bearcats are currently the only Ohio team capable of making the playoffs. Cincinnati was able to get through a shaky second half after an overwhelming first half and beat East Carolina 35-13. That doesn’t make much sense in the penultimate rankings, as it seems likely that the Bearcats’ playoff hopes will depend on the AAC championship game against No. 24 Houston and the SEC title showdown between No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Alabama. If the Bearcats and Bulldogs win on Saturday, it will be difficult – but not impossible – to keep Cincy around. As it stands, look for the Bearcats to remain in 4th place while the Wolverines jump all the way to 2nd.

Michigan (11-1)

Previously ranked: 5

A big win means a big jump in the rankings for Werewolves. Expectations Harbaugh and Co. will jump to 2nd place, replacing the Buckeyes after their 42-27 win at the Big House. With this win, Michigan is just one game away from reaching the playoffs. A win over Wisconsin or Iowa, no matter how narrow, would guarantee entry. The question then turns to Werewolves playing in the semifinals: A Georgia win over Alabama in the SEC title game would likely place Oklahoma State or Cincinnati as the No. 3 team. Still, a win at The Crimson Tide will likely send the Bulldogs down to 3rd place – well-deserved reward for the Big Ten champions.

THAN: NC State gathers 2 TDs in 26 seconds to win the rivalry game against North Carolina

Notre Dame Cathedral (January 10)

Previously ranked: 6

The Fighting Irish are still vying for a playoff spot, if only on paper. But that loss for the Bearcats was huge, and it will take a significant amount of chaos during the weekend’s conference championship run to secure a playoff spot. If Notre Dame beats Stanford at the end of the season, it will likely rise to 5th overall, taking on Michigan. If they win the race for the championship title at the weekend, Fighting Irish will still be outside the top 4 in the final standings.

Oklahoma State (10-1)

Previously ranked: 7

Oklahoma State is in the top position to advance to Bedlam and the conference championship weekend. The Loss of Buckeyes Candlestick enough to put the Cowboys up one spot, to the second team in the knockout stages. That’s assuming a win over Oklahoma No. 10 on Saturday. If Mike Gundy and Co. can beat the Sooners in Stillwater, Okla., then they will knock them out of the Big 12 championship and playoffs altogether. A win next week against Baylor No. 8 – who beat Texas Tech on Saturday to stay alive in the conference title race – would give the Cowboys their second top-10 win in as many weeks. That should generate some important discussion about their playoff eligibility.

Oklahoma (10-1)

Previously ranked: ten

The Sooners are in a less favorable position than their opponents. Lincoln Riley and Co were not held in high regard by this committee, even if they were unbeaten: That loss to Baylor was a huge blow to their playoff hopes. A win over the Cowboys will go a long way to give them a chance, but they may still be behind the Buckeyes in the latest standings. The next question, then, is whether Oklahoma can come back and do it again in the Big 12 title game. It’s a paradoxical situation where winning keeps you alive while at the same time undermining your playoff resume – one of the Sooners will be happy to be parsed by the selection committee.

Ohio State (10-2)

Previously ranked: 2

The championship season is over for the Buckeyes. They didn’t have a chance at the Big Ten or the playoffs after Saturday’s loss to the Wolverines, their first since 2011. What does that mean for the Buckeyes moving forward? Assuming the selection committee doesn’t punish them too much – dropping to 8th in the rankings is entirely possible – then placing a spot in the Rose Bowl against Oregon, Washington State or Utah is Ryan Day’s way. and his team finished the season.