College Football Rankings Week 12
by Al Simmons
The top three teams in my rankings stayed the same, and No. 4 TCU strengthened its lead over No. 5 Cincinnati.
Florida remains No. 1, Alabama No. 2 and Texas No. 3. The Gators and Crimson Tide meet on December 5th in the SEC championship game in what should be a de facto national semifinal. Texas leads the Big 12 South race and will be in the national title game if it wins out.
But TCU fortifying its position is the big news this week. If Texas were to lose, the Horned Frogs would benefit immensely.
Moving on to USC. Is the Pete Carroll mystique gone? Is Stanford really that good after beating USC and Oregon the last couple of week?
Here are my College Football Week 12 Rankings:
1. Florida: Make no mistake about it, No. 1 Florida's run to the top is nothing like last year's. Florida has been short of spectacular all season.
2. Alabama: Mark Ingram keeps playing as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
3. Texas: Cody Johnson rushed for two TDs for the third straight game
4. TCU: TCU has now won 13 straight home games and ended a three-game losing streak to Utah.
5. Cincinnati: The Bearcats' 31 wins over the last three seasons are tied with Florida, Texas, and Boise State for the most in the FBS.
6. Boise State: Broncos wideout Austin Pettis tied a school record with four touchdown catches.
7. Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets have won eight straight games.
8. Pittsburgh: freshmen RB Dion Lewis is taking this Panthers in his shoulders.
9. LSU: Tigers has won 23 straight games against non-conference opponents, the longest active streak in the nation.
10. Ohio State: The Buckeyes have won 11 of their last 12 vs. Iowa.
11. Oregon: RB LaMichael James ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns as Oregon beat Arizona State for the fifth straight time.
12. Iowa: The Hawkeyes dropped their second straight following a 13-game win streak.
13. Penn State: The Nittany Lions turned the ball over four times, matching a season high, even so they maintain the win.
14. Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson rushed for a team-high 106 yards.
15. Virginia Tech: The Hokies outgained the Terrapins 484-236.
16. Stanford: Toby Gerhart rushed for 178 yards and three scores in the win.
17. Wisconsin: The Badgers has now won three straight home games vs. Michigan for the first time.
18. USC: The 34-point home loss is the worst since 1966.
19. Miami (FL): Miami quarterback Jacory Harris threw a career high four picks.
20. Oregon State: QB Sean Canfield tosses 4 TDs to keep Oregon State alive in hunt for Rose Bowl bid.
21. Brigham Young: Brigham Young is 5-0 against New Mexico under Bronco Mendenhall.
22. Utah: Utah had 14 penalties for 110 yards and two turnovers.
23. Rutgers: Rutgers hands USF first regular-season shutout in program history.
24. Houston: Case Keenum threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, making him the all-time leader for TD in Houston history (108).
25. Nebraska: Nebraska sets up Big 12 North showdown with win over Kansas.
