College Football Top 10 Power Rankings: Week 13 (2020)
Aside from Wisconsin being dominated by Northwestern, the top 10 teams in college football held serve in Week 12. So will there be any major shakeups in this week’s power rankings? Let’s sort it all out.
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1. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0, 7-0)
So much for looking ahead to the Iron Bowl. Alabama obliterated a decent Kentucky program, 63-3, Saturday. The Crimson Tide is clearly the best team in college football. Crazy things have happened in the history of the Iron Bowl, but the Tide should roll over Auburn in Tuscaloosa this weekend.
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0, 7-0)
Notre Dame had the week off to prepare for what should be an intriguing matchup against North Carolina. The Tar Heels are the ultimate wild card and are plenty capable of giving the Irish trouble, especially in Chapel Hill.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0, 4-0)
I really wanted to drop the Buckeyes a spot, but couldn’t justify it with Clemson’s game being postponed. Has Indiana really closed the talent gap between them and Ohio State, or did Ohio State just look kind of sloppy? I tend to side with the latter argument. Justin Fields was a mess. The coverage gaffes were aplenty. And surprisingly, the Buckeyes didn’t look like an elite team. They’ll finish the year undefeated, but it’s fair to wonder how competitive they’ll be should they make the College Football Playoff.
4. Clemson Tigers (7-1, 6-1)
Clemson’s revenge tour will have to wait another week after its contest against Florida State was called off at the last minute. The Tigers now will have to take care of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech to make it to the ACC Championship game.
5. Texas A&M Aggies (5-1, 5-1)
The Aggies will hopefully end their three-week hiatus this weekend when they host the defending national champions. It’s hard to demote Texas A&M when they haven’t given us a reason to. But there are several teams nipping at their heels. They’ll need to keep impressing me to stay at No. 5.
6. Florida Gators (6-1, 6-1)
Kyle Trask continues to make his case for the Heisman Trophy with three more touchdowns as the Gators took care of business over lowly Vanderbilt. Next up is Kentucky at home before wrapping up the regular season in Knoxville.
7. Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0, 6-0)
The Bearcats took every punch from UCF in a thrilling 36-33 win in Orlando. Cincinnati will need some help to have a legitimate chance at reaching the College Football Playoff. But the Bearcats control their destiny to a New Year’s Six bowl game.
8. BYU Cougars (9-0)
BYU knows they need style points, which is why they thrashed North Alabama, 66-14. Zach Wilson added 212 yards and four touchdowns to his Heisman resume. However, BYU probably doesn’t have enough to make a New Year’s Six bowl game. They’re off this week before wrapping up the regular season by hosting San Diego State.
9. Northwestern Wildcats (5-0, 5-0)
Let’s get nuts! The Wildcats control the Big Ten West and are in a position to make their second Big Ten title game in three years. That would be two more conference championship appearances than Michigan, by the way. Nothing Northwestern does is pretty. But dang it, they’ve got an excellent, opportunistic defense that clearly rattled Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz. Kudos to Pat Fitzgerald on another incredible coaching job.
10. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (8-0, 6-0)
Guess who’s back in the top 10! Some might vouch for Oregon, but I’m not overly impressed by three wins over PAC 12 bottom feeders. Coastal Carolina earned a great victory over Appalachian State to seize control of the Sun Belt East division. The Chants still have work to do, however. Coastal travels to Texas State next week before hosting Liberty in what should be an awesome matchup.
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