Michigan moves to No. 2 in College Football Playoff rankings; Georgia, Alabama, Cincinnati round out top four

Erick Smith, USA TODAY
·3 min read
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There was no surprise at the top of the College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia remained No. 1, the position it has occupied in the four previous releases by the committee this season.

After the Bulldogs, things got interesting among the top four spots. Alabama's close defeat of Auburn and Michigan's upset of Ohio State brought significant change to the outlook for the semifinals.

The Wolverines, who were outside the top four last week, were the biggest winner from Week 13. They improved three places to No. 2, jumping both Alabama and Cincinnati in addition to the Buckeyes. A win in the Big Ten title game against No. 13 Iowa would secure their first playoff appearance.

Michigan receiver A.J. Henning (3) celebrates with offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis (68) after scoring a touchdown and during the first quarter against Ohio State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.
Michigan receiver A.J. Henning (3) celebrates with offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis (68) after scoring a touchdown and during the first quarter against Ohio State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.

Alabama kept its third position with its close win. Cincinnati stayed at No. 4. The unbeaten Bearcats likely need to beat No. 21 Houston in the American Athletic championship game to become the first Group of Five team to be selected for the semifinals.

No. 5 Oklahoma State and No. 6 Notre Dame remain strong contenders for the playoff, with Alabama and Georgia meeting Saturday for the SEC title. A loss by the Crimson Tide should knock them out of consideration. The Cowboys face No. 9 Baylor in the Big 12 title game. The Fighting Irish are off with their schedule complete, so their final case on the field has been made.

The Buckeyes dropped five spots to No. 7. No. 8 Mississippi and No. 10 Oregon hold down the final two spots in the top 10.

Hoping to reach a New Year's Six bowl, independent Brigham Young improved to No. 12, putting the Cougars in position to be considered for a berth.

The SEC leads all conferences with six teams in the rankings followed by the Big Ten and ACC with four. The Big 12 has three.

No. 19 San Diego State and No. 21 Houston are the other Group of Five conference representatives after Cincinnati. The highest-rated champion among those leagues is guaranteed a spot in a New Year's Six bowl.

No. 23 Kentucky and No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette moved into the Top 25. Wisconsin and Texas-San Antonio dropped out of the rankings after losses.

The final rankings of the season will be released Dec. 5 with the top four teams playing in the semifinals at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. The national championship game will be held Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.

College Football Playoff committee Top 25

1. Georgia (12-0)

2. Michigan (11-1)

3. Alabama (11-1)

4. Cincinnati (12-0)

5. Oklahoma State (11-1)

6. Notre Dame (11-1)

7. Ohio State (10-2)

8. Mississippi (10-2)

9. Baylor (10-2)

10. Oregon (10-2)

11. Michigan State (10-2)

12. Brigham Young (10-2)

13. Iowa (10-2)

14. Oklahoma (10-2)

15. Pittsburgh (10-2)

16. Wake Forest (10-2)

17. Utah (9-3)

18. North Carolina State (9-3)

19. San Diego State (11-1)

20 .Clemson (9-3)

21. Houston (11-1)

22. Arkansas (8-4)

23. Kentucky (9-3)

24. Louisiana-Lafayette (11-1)

25. Texas A&M (8-4)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College Football Playoff rankings: Michigan passes Alabama, Cincinnati