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

Yet another team fell short in the College Football Playoffs – and Ohio State couldn’t be happier about it.

Just hours after the Buckeyes beat Michigan State 56-7, Oregon — a team that could claim a head-to-head victory over Ryan Day and Co. – suffered its second defeat of the season, losing 38-7 at No. 23 Utah.

THAN: College football rankings: What MSU’s loss to Ohio State means for Alabama, Michigan and more

With the Troubled Ducks out of the way, Ohio State is now in complete control of its destiny (though you could argue the Buckeyes claimed that ability after their victory over Sparta). If Ohio State beats Michigan and wins the Big Ten championship match a week later, it’s a playoff. No more worrying about that Week 2 loss to Oregon.

Ohio State isn’t the only team excited about Oregon’s loss, either. Sporting News breaks down who could benefit most from the loss in Utah:

Rank reflects Week 12 College Football knockout round, top 25

THAN: Should OSU be number 2? Buckeyes no doubt in the match against Sparta

Alabama (10-1)

Previously ranked: 2

Alabama didn’t prevail in a 42-35 win over Arkansas No. 21, but did enough to stay in the playoffs for another week. The Crimson Tide has to win from here to get in the playoffs, beat Auburn in Week 13, and come back to take on Georgia in the SEC championship game. Alabama may drop one place to 3 considering how great Ohio State looks on Saturday, but that won’t matter in the end, as the conference title game will determine if it does. whether or not to qualify for the knockout round.

Here are a few things to consider: With Oregon’s loss, it creates the possibility for a two-game losing Alabama to sneak into the knockout stages as a 4th seed. Crimson Tide needs help adjusting that happens, such as both Oklahoma teams losing one more game. If it happens, will the selection committee dare to put Nick Saban and Co in the knockout stages against an undefeated Cincinnati team?

Ohio State (10-1)

Previously ranked: 4

Ohio no longer has to deal with Oregon’s looming shadow. With the Ducks losing on Saturday, Ohio State is now in complete control of its fate for the playoffs. The same holds true for the Buckeyes’ Big Ten title aspirations, although it did happen. In terms of rank, they will definitely go up a notch. They could also take the lead over Alabama to take their second place, given the disparity in how the teams played in Week 12.

Cincinnati (11-0)

Previously ranked: 5

The Bearcats should be happy to see Oregon out of the way – one less team for them to deal with in the final playoff push. They beat the underrated SMU on Saturday, beating them 48-14 on the day of the final exam. It could have been an attempt to win some style points with the committee, but only time will tell if they’ll give Cincinnati some respect in the latest rankings. If the Bearcats place 4th in the latest standings, there’s a good chance they can actually compete for a playoff spot. If the commission moves Michigan to Cincinnati, that could be an initial sign they will try to get rid of the Bearcats.

Michigan (10-1)

Previously ranked: 6

Oregon’s loss won’t affect Michigan too much. Like Ohio State, it’s in control of its own destiny: A win over the Buckeyes and a subsequent win in the Big Ten championship game would guarantee entry to the knockout stages. For now, Michigan will enjoy a rating boost and move into 5th – or 4th – in the next set of ratings. The Wolverines did not attend “The Game” next week, taking on Maryland in a 59-18 victory.

Werewolves are in the same boat as Alabama. Win and you win. Lose and you lose. The tool is quite simple.

THAN: Utah beat No. 3 Oregon with 28 points in the first half, punt returned TD before halftime

Notre Dame Cathedral (January 10)

Previously ranked: 8

The Fighting Irish are still quietly taking care of the business on the sidelines of playoff discussion, and will rise two places to become the second team in the playoffs after Michigan State and Oregon lost. That said, the Fighting Irish still need a lot of work to happen if they want to qualify for the playoffs. In the end, they will be rooted to the Alabama loss in the SEC championship game; Michigan vs. Ohio State will take care of another team. But that loss to Cincinnati remains large, raising the question: Does Our Lady want Cincy to win (make the defeat look better) or lose, potentially ruining her resume but freeing up another space front?

Oklahoma (9-1)

Previously ranked: 9

The Cowboys beat Texas Tech 23-0, moving them up to 7th place in the latest polls. That will help them fight Oklahoma in a one-on-one battle at Bedlam. Oklahoma State won a spot in the Big 12 championship game; if Baylor wins next week against Texas Tech, the Bears will be able to rival the Cowboys in the conference championship game if OSU wins Bedlam. Will wins over two top 15 teams in consecutive weeks be enough to shake the Oklahoma State committee? It’s certainly possible, although the Big 12 have so far been underrated in the season.

Oklahoma State still wants some coverage for a potential playoff spot. They get that with Oregon’s loss, but will also stem from Georgia knocking Alabama out in the SEC championship. How did Oklahoma State come up against an undefeated Cincinnati team?

Oregon (9-2)

Previously ranked: 3

Ducks’ season is over as far as the playoffs are concerned. No two-loss team has made it to the playoffs in its eight-year history, and the Ducks won’t be the first to reverse that particular historical trend. The good news is that Oregon could get another shot against Utah in the Pac-12 championship game: The Utes secured their spot with a win on Saturday. Ducks just need to beat Oregon State next week for a chance to get revenge and win the Pac-12 championship.

Ranking wise, Oregon’s loss was bad enough to drop several places (remember, Utes took a 28-0 lead at halftime). Possibly the Ducks fall behind Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Baylor in the latest rankings, although they should still be among the top 15.