Faculty Soccer Playoff Rankings: LSU, USC inch as much as key spots in new high 25 as Tennessee falls to No. 10

With the highest 4 groups in final week’s Faculty Soccer Playoff Rankings all holding serve after rising victorious final week, the fourth version of the CFP high 25 launched Tuesday evening was largely uneventful. Reigning nationwide champion Georgia held onto the No. 1 spot with Ohio State remaining at No. 2. Michigan and TCU rounded out what the highest 4, utilizing walk-off subject targets final Saturday to stave off upsets and stay undefeated getting into Rivalry Week.

USC, with its lone blemish a single-point defeat at Utah on Oct. 15, picked up the most important victory amongst CFP contenders with a 48-45 win at UCLA. The Trojans’ rise to No. 6 was aided by a surprising upset suffered by Tennessee, which was routed 63-38 at South Carolina.

Regardless of its improved rating, USC nonetheless sits behind two-loss No. 5 LSU. Each groups will compete of their respective convention championship video games in two weeks, however the Trojans might probably bounce the Tigers within the penultimate rankings subsequent week given the groups’ upcoming opponents. (Extra under.)

With the Volunteers now principally eradicated from the playoff, they’ll grow to be simply the second group ranked No. 1 in a season’s preliminary CFP Rankings that may fail to achieve the four-team subject (Mississippi State, 2014). In the meantime, the Tigers nonetheless have an opportunity to grow to be the primary two-loss group to earn a CFP bid within the occasion’s historical past.

Consecutive victories of 25+ factors have given one-loss Clemson new life, although it is hanging behind a pair of two-loss SEC groups (LSU, Alabama) and one-loss USC. Clemson’s potential power of schedule took successful this week, however it however has a path to a seventh CFP look within the final eight seasons. Ought to it in the end make the sphere, it will be the lowest-ranked group at this juncture to take action.

Let’s check out the whole CFP Rankings high 25 with extra evaluation from bowls knowledgeable Jerry Palm under.

Faculty Soccer Playoff Rankings, Nov. 22

1. Georgia (11-0)
2. Ohio State (11-0)
3. Michigan (11-0)
4. TCU (11-0)
5. LSU (9-2)
6. USC (10-1)
7. Alabama (9-2)
   
8. Clemson (10-1)
9. Oregon (9-2)
10. Tennessee (9-2)
11. Penn State (9-2)
12. Kansas State (8-3)
13. Washington (9-2)
14. Utah (8-3)
15. Notre Dame (8-3)
16. Florida State (8-3)
17. North Carolina (9-2)
18. UCLA (8-3)
19. Tulane (9-2)
20. Ole Miss (8-3)
21. Oregon State (8-3)
22. UCF (8-3)
23. Texas (7-4)
24. Cincinnati (9-2)
25. Louisville (7-4)

Evaluation by bowls knowledgeable Jerry Palm

One purpose why USC stays behind LSU is the Trojans picked up their first win over a ranked group this season once they beat the Bruins. That positioning could also be momentary so long as USC continues profitable. In actual fact, USC is probably going bounce LSU subsequent week if the Trojans beat No. 15 Notre Dame, whereas the Tigers tame unranked Texas A&M. A high quality ranked win could also be sufficient for the CFP Choice Committee to make the swap. The Trojans additionally a better path to the playoff given they do not must undergo the top-ranked Bulldogs.

Clemson feels caught given it doesn’t have a possible large win left on their schedule with No. 17 North Carolina struggling a second loss forward of their scheduled ACC Championship Recreation assembly. Clemson has to get previous South Carolina and UNC to complete 12-1, however it doesn’t really feel like that’s going to maneuver the needle sufficient by itself to place the Tigers within the CFP dialog. Clemson significantly suffers as compared with USC if each are 12-1 because the Trojans can have defeated the Preventing Irish, which handed the Tigers their lone loss.

This week’s rankings are set as much as put 4 SEC groups within the New Yr’s Six. Assuming no upsets within the high 10 between now and Choice Sunday, Georgia is within the CFP because the No. 1 seed. LSU or Alabama, whichever is ranked greater, would go to the Sugar Bowl because the SEC consultant. The opposite group would face the ACC champion within the Orange Bowl because the highest-ranked group remaining from the Large Ten, SEC or Notre Dame. Lastly, Tennessee would get the final spot within the Cotton Bowl because the highest-rated group not already in a New Yr’s Six sport.

Penn State is ready within the wings, however it can not appear to get previous the place it’s now as a result of an absence of high quality wins. The Nittany Lions solely have two losses, which got here to No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan, however their finest win of the season remains to be their Week 1 victory at Purdue.

And we are able to now affirm, barring a loss by No. 22 UCF at South Florida this week, the AAC champion will signify the Group of 5 within the Cotton Bowl.