College Football Top 25: Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers Football
Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend. The 13th weekend of the 2017 season featured several rivalry matchups, including the showdown in the SEC between Auburn and Alabama. The Tigers victory pushes coach Gus Malzahn's team into the top four, while the Crimson Tide are going to need a little help in order to reach the CFB Playoff. Clemson assumes the No. 1 spot following Saturday night's win against South Carolina, with Oklahoma coming in at No. 2 after handling West Virginia in Norman. USF and Fresno State join the rankings after Week 13.
College Football Top 25 Rankings
1. Clemson (11-1)
Week 13 Result: Defeated South Carolina
The Tigers are a win away from their third consecutive trip to the CFB Playoff.
2. Oklahoma (11-1)
Week 13 Result: Defeated West Virginia
Easy win over West Virginia sets up a showdown (or rematch) against TCU in the Big 12 Championship.
3. Auburn (10-2)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Alabama
For the second time (Georgia and Alabama) in 2017, Auburn defeated the No. 1 team in the nation.
4. Wisconsin (12-0)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Minnesota
Badgers’ defense turns in another dominant effort in Saturday’s win over Minnesota.
5. Alabama (11-1)
Week 13 Result: Lost to Auburn
Let the debate begin: Can the Crimson Tide get into the CFB Playoff with one loss and no SEC Championship?
6. Georgia (11-1)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Georgia Tech
Bulldogs successfully avenged last year’s loss to Georgia Tech with a blowout 38-7 victory over the Yellow Jackets on Saturday.
7. Miami (10-1)
Week 13 Result: Lost to Pitt
Loss to Pitt was a significant setback, but Miami’s playoff hopes are still alive with a win over Clemson.
8. Ohio State (10-2)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Michigan
Urban Meyer is now 6-0 as Ohio State’s coach against Michigan.
9. TCU (10-2)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Baylor
Can TCU’s defense find a way to slow down Oklahoma’s high-powered offense in the Big 12 Championship Game?
10. USC (10-2)
Week 13 Result: Bye Week
The Trojans had a scheduled bye in Week 13, which was the program’s first off week in the 2017 season. While one was needed during the regular season, the timing worked out with the Pac-12 Championship up next.
11. UCF (11-0)
Week 13 Result: Beat USF
Friday’s shootout between UCF-USF was easily one of college football’s best games from 2017.
12. Penn State (10-2)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Maryland
After destroying Maryland 66-3 on Saturday, the Nittany Lions should be in good shape to earn a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl.
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13. Stanford (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Notre Dame
How healthy will running back Bryce Love be for Friday night’s Pac-12 Championship Game?
14. Notre Dame (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Lost to Stanford
A five-game improvement in the win column from 2016 to 2017 is a step in the right direction for coach Brian Kelly.
15. Michigan State (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Rutgers
Mark Dantonio should be near the top of the list for Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
16. LSU (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Texas A&M
Quarterback Danny Etling has only one interception in his last seven games.
17. Washington (10-2)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Washington State
Chris Petersen’s defense has not allowed more than 17 points to Washington State in each of the last four matchups.
18. Oklahoma State (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Kansas
A win in a bowl game would give Oklahoma State three consecutive seasons of at least 10 wins.
19. Memphis (10-1)
Week 13 Result: Defeated East Carolina
The Tigers averaged 13 yards per play in Saturday’s 70-13 win over East Carolina.
20. Washington State (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Lost to Washington
Cougars fell short in their quest to win the division title, but coach Mike Leach’s team has still won 26 games over the last three years.
21. Northwestern (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Illinois
Wildcats hit bowl season riding a seven-game winning streak.
22. Virginia Tech (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Virginia
Hokies extend winning streak to 14 in a row over rival Virginia.
23. Mississippi State (8-4)
Week 13 Result: Lost to Ole Miss
Turnovers and the absence of quarterback Nick Fitzgerald just too much to overcome against rival Ole Miss on Thursday night.
24. USF (9-2)
Week 13 Result: Lost to UCF
Quarterback Quinton Flowers totaled 605 yards (a new school record) in Friday’s loss to UCF.
25. Fresno State (9-3)
Week 13 Result: Defeated Boise State
In Jeff Tedford’s first season at Fresno State, the Bulldogs improved their win total by eight games from last year’s 1-11 record.
