Oklahoma State did what they needed to shake up our power rankings this week. Photo: USA Today Sports
Another week of college football led to some new developments in our weekly power rankings. Both Oregon and Baylor took a big step back in this week's staff voting, but only one managed to survive a total free fall out of the rankings. Meanwhile the top two remain locked in to their positions while Ohio State reclaimed their spot right behind them. Here is this week's batch of power rankings from the staff at Crystal Ball Run.
1. Alabama (88 points, 7 first place votes)
What more do we need to say about Alabama that has not already been said this season. Until the college football gods force us to choose someone else at the top of our poll, Alabama will remain the clear team to beat. Alabama received the exact same voting points this week as last to remain six points ahead of Florida State in our staff poll. Alabama takes on Auburn this weekend with a trip to the SEC Championship Game on the line.
2. Florida State (82 points, 2 first place votes)
Like Alabama, the Seminoles had no problem with their overpowered opponent (Idaho) on Saturday. As a result, our staff gave them the same points they had last week with two first-place votes to hold firm at second place overall. While the cloud of uncertainty does loom over the program's star quarterback, Jameis Winston, nothing has changed with this team to cause us to look at them any differently yet. This weekend Florida State looks to pound a struggling Florida team in to submission.
3. Ohio State (69 points)
The Buckeyes reclaimed the third spot in our power rankings thanks to Baylor getting trounced by Oklahoma State. The Buckeyes appeared as high as second and as low as sixth place on our staff ballots this week, but there is no question they are our third top team in this week's power rankings and they are the team waiting in line for a top two spot. Ohio State faces Michigan this week and will play Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
4. Auburn (58 points)
For the second straight week the Auburn Tigers are our top one-loss team in the power rankings. Auburn held off a strong surge by Oklahoma State during their bye week and now have a golden opportunity to shake up the top of the seemingly comfortable top of the power rankings. Auburn hosts Alabama in one of the biggest Iron Bowls in decades.
5. Oklahoma State (54 points)
Owners of the biggest win over the weekend, Oklahoma State now has control of the Big 12 race in their hands with just one game to play (next week against Oklahoma). The Cowboys destroyed a Baylor offense that seemed unstoppable in the Big 12 to move up from tenth in our poll last week up to fifth. It is the biggest jump up any team has made in our power rankings this season.
6. Missouri (46 points)
Missouri has a chance to climb the power rankings over the next couple of weeks, but they will have to work for it. The return of James Franklin at quarterback had a much smoother transition than perhaps expected as Missouri took care of business on the road against Ole Miss. Next up is a home game against Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M. A win sends Missouri to the SEC Championship Game to face Alabama or Auburn.
7. Clemson (39 points)
Clemson remains seventh in the power rankings this week but the Tigers picked up seven more points this week from last week's rankings. Clemson was another team that took things easy this weekend, hosting Citadel, but the tension will ramp up this week on the road against in-state rival South Carolina. The winner will remain in the hunt for a BCS at-large berth. A loss could drop Clemson out of our power rankings next week as well.
8. Michigan State (24 points)
Michigan State picked up eight points in our power rankings this week and they moved up a spot in the standings as well. the Spartans were also the last team to take advantage of Baylor's free fall in the power rankings. The Spartans continue to play the bets defense in the Big Ten and are locked in to the Big Ten Championship Game for the second time in three seasons, where they will pose as the biggest threat to Ohio State's BCS hopes. The Spartans wrap up their regular season at home against Minnesota.
9. Baylor (11 points)
Baylor may have crashed in to a wall against Oklahoma State, but the Bears are still more than worthy of appearing in our top ten this week. The Bears are back on the road again this weekend at TCU. Baylor should be able to get their offense back on track this week to some extent, but did last weekend's showing give a blueprint for the Horned Frogs to find a way to score an upset? How Baylor responds to the loss will be very interesting.
10. Stanford (7 points)
Our only two-loss team in our power rankings happens to be Stanford. After Oregon got ambushed at Arizona, Stanford reclaimed the top spot in the Pac 12 North and clinched a spot in the Pac 12 Championship game for a second straight season. The Cardinal will play Arizona State, but the location is to be determined this week once Arizona State faces Arizona. An Arizona State win will allow the Sun Devils to host Stanford for the conference title. Stanford will conclude their regular season at home against Notre Dame. Can the Cardinal avenge last year's controversial loss in South Bend?
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