COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Dontre Wilson #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 12, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
NCAABy Ben Sieck on

We have a new AP top 25 poll, and following last night’s wild slate of upsets, it looks much different than it did last week.

Alabama is still the consensus No.1 overall team, but with No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Clemson, and No. 4 Washington all going down last night, the top five got a corresponding reshuffling. Ohio State, which came into this week on the outside of the playoff picture would seem to be right back in the thick of things, as the new No. 2 — rising four spots from last week’s rankings. Right behind them are the Louisville Cardinals, who moved up from No. 5. Michigan and Clemson both managed to stay in the top 5 at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, but the two-loss Wisconsin Badgers leapt over the No. 7 Washington Huskies following their demolition of Illinois.

Oklahoma is also back in playoff contention, albeit on the outside looking in, despite being left for dead earlier this season. The No. 8 Sooners are the highest ranked Big 12 team, but West Virginia is looming at No. 10. The two will play in a massive showdown next Saturday in Morgantown with the winner planting themselves firmly in the driver’s seat of the Big 12.

The biggest losers from Saturday are two SEC teams: Texas A&M and Auburn. The Aggies lost at home to a reeling Ole Miss squad, knocking them all the way from No. 10 last week, to No. 23 today. Meanwhile, Auburn put forth a truly pathetic offensive performance in Athens on Saturday, losing to Georgia 13-7. Auburn’s defense was as fierce as ever — the Bulldogs’ lone touchdown came on an interception return — but the Tigers offense failed to get a single first down in the second half and generally looked unprepared for the Georgia defense. Their misstep took them from No. 8 and controlling their own destiny in the SEC West, to No. 18 and on the outside looking in for a New Year’s 6 bowl.

These rankings are merely an appetizer for the Playoff Committee’s weekly rankings, which come out Tuesday, but this poll should still serve as a solid predictor for fans wondering how far their team might rise or fall.

[AP]

About Ben Sieck

Ben is a recent graduate of Butler University where he served as Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Butler Collegian. He currently resides in Indianapolis.

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