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For a fifth straight week the Colorado Buffaloes moved up in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Buffaloes are now No. 8, after taking down the No. 21 Utah Utes and winning the Pac-12 South Division. After starting at No. 15 in the initial rankings, CU has climbed to the highest spot in school history in the current playoff format.
There’s a chance if Colorado wins the Pac-12 Championship game this Friday over No. 4 Washington they’ll represent the conference as part of the four-team playoff. If not, it's looking like the Rose or Alamo Bowls.
Here’s how everything breaks down for the teams in the top ten.
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0)
Coach Nick Saban’s team is all but guaranteed a spot in the playoff and faces No. 15 Florida in the SEC Championship this Saturday.
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1)
After a controversial double-overtime win against Michigan, the Buckeyes won’t play in the Big Ten Championship game due to a loss to Penn State earlier in the season.
No. 3 Clemson Tigers (11-1)
Quarterback Deshaun Watson and Co. can take care of business and secure a return trip to the playoff with a win over No. 23 Virginia Tech on Saturday in the ACC Championship.
No. 4 Washington Huskies (11-1)
The Pac-12 conference will be decided on Friday night with the Huskies playing the Buffs at Levi’s Stadium. Washington’s lone loss came against No. 11 USC.
No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (10-2)
Coach Jim Harbaugh might have to wait until next season for another chance to make the round of four teams. After losing two of the past three games against Iowa and Ohio State, the Wolverines will have an uphill climb without a conference championship.
No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2)
After losing against Michigan and Ohio State, the Badgers could sneak into the playoff with a conference championship win over Penn State.
No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2)
Penn State lucked out and will play for a Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin. The status for both team remains undecided and they’ll need a win on Saturday to garner consideration.
No. 8 Colorado Buffaloes (10-2)
CU controls their own destiny, but will need help from the committee to make the Playoff. A championship win and it presents a great case for Coach Mike MacIntyre’s team.
No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners (9-2)
Due to the Big 12’s down year as a conference, the Big 12 champion could be watching from the sidelines on New Year’s Eve. Oklahoma would’ve played in-state rival Oklahoma State to end the season anyways and now the contest is being called a "championship game." One less game on the season could hurt tremendously.
No. 10 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-2)
After a fluke last-second loss against Central Michigan, the Cowboys find themselves needing help along with a Big 12 Championship to be considered. I wouldn’t count on that happening this year. Maybe a trip to the Alamo Bowl?
No. 8 Colorado meets No. 4 Washington in the Pac-12 championship game on Friday (12/2). Kickoff from Levi’s Stadium will be at 7 p.m. MT on FOX.
| Rank | Team | Conference | Prev week | Week 13 result |
| 1 | Alabama, 12-0 | SEC | 1 | W vs. Auburn, 30-12 |
| 2 | Ohio State, 11-1 | Big Ten | 2 | W vs. Michigan, 30-27 |
| 3 | Clemson, 11-1 | ACC | 4 | W vs. South Carolina, 56-7 |
| 4 | Washington, 11-1 | Pac-12 | 5 | W at WSU, 45-17 |
| 5 | Michigan, 10-2 | Big Ten | 3 | L at Ohio State, 30-27 |
| 6 | Wisconsin, 10-2 | Big Ten | 6 | W vs. Minnesota, 31-17 |
| 7 | Penn State, 10-2 | Big Ten | 7 | W vs. Michigan State, 45-12 |
| 8 | Colorado, 10-2 | Pac-12 | 9 | W vs. Utah, 27-22 |
| 9 | Oklahoma, 9-2 | Big 12 | 8 | Bye |
| 10 | Oklahoma State, 9-2 | Big 12 | 10 | Bye |
| 11 | USC, 9-3 | Pac-12 | 12 | W vs. Notre Dame, 45-27 |
| 12 | Florida State, 9-3 | ACC | 14 | W vs. Florida, 31-13 |
| 13 | Louisville, 9-3 | ACC | 11 | L vs. Kentucky, 41-38 |
| 14 | Auburn, 8-4 | SEC | 13 | L at Alabama, 30-12 |
| 15 | Florida, 8-3 | SEC | 15 | L at FSU, 31-13 |
| 16 | West Virginia, 9-2 | Big 12 | 18 | W at Iowa State, 49-19 |
| 17 | Western Michigan, 12-0 | MAC | 21 | W vs. Toledo, 55-35 |
| 18 | Stanford, 9-3 | Pac-12 | 24 | W vs. Rice, 41-17 |
| 19 | Navy, 9-2 | AAC | 25 | W at SMU, 75-31 |
| 20 | Utah, 8-4 | Pac-12 | 22 | L at Colorado, 27-22 |
| 21 | LSU, 7-4 | SEC | NR | W at Texas A&M, 54-39 |
| 22 | Tennessee, 8-4 | SEC | 17 | L at Vanderbilt, 45-34 |
| 23 | Virginia Tech, 9-3 | ACC | NR | W vs. Virginia, 52-10 |
| 24 | Houston, 9-3 | AAC | 20 | L at Memphis, 48-44 |
| 25 | Pitt, 8-4 | ACC | NR | W vs. Syracuse, 76-61 |
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