MIAMI, FL (November 29) —— Ohio State fell to No. 5 in the second-to-last College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday night, with Southern California [USC] replacing the Buckeyes in the last playoff spot in the current release.
A defeat to Michigan in a Big Ten showdown this past weekend meant Ohio State had to take a dip this week, but Ryan Day’s men are still positioned to possibly take advantage if one of the top four slips up on championship weekend. Read More about college football scores: Week 13 College football AP Top 25 scores – Nov. 26
Undefeated teams Georgia (12-0), Michigan (12-0), and No. 3 TCU (12-0) hold up the top three spots with the Bulldogs holding firm at No. 1 while the Wolverines and the Horned Frogs both moved up a spot at No. 2 and No. 3 this week. USC (11-1), in the meantime, climbed two spots into the fourth slot heading into the Pac-12 championship game versus No. 11 Utah.
Ohio State (11-1) which sat at No. 2 in previous weeks, slipped three places this week after a disappointing 45-23 loss to Big Ten rivals Michigan Wolverines last Saturday at home.
In the meantime, Alabama (10-2) inched up one spot to No. 6 and the Crimson Tide are followed by Southeastern Conference rival Tennessee at No. 7.
The undefeated teams might not need to win this weekend in their respective conference championships to lock up a spot.
Georgia will play LSU (9-3) in the SEC title game, Michigan takes on Purdue (8-4) for the Big Ten championship title, while the fourth-ranked TCU faces No. 10 Kansas State in the Big 12 championships game.
Many college football fans and experts believe If the USC Trojans slip up against Utah, it could open the doors for Ohio State to replace them for a second chance in the last College Football Playoff rankings.
College Football Playoff Rankings on Nov. 29
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Georgia | 12-0 |
| 2 | Michigan | 12-0 |
| 3 | TCU | 12-0 |
| 4 | Southern California | 11-1 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 11-1 |
| 6 | Alabama | 10-2 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 10-2 |
| 8 | Penn State | 10-2 |
| 9 | Clemson | 10-2 |
| 10 | Kansas State | 9-3 |
| 11 | Utah | 9-3 |
| 12 | Washington | 10-2 |
| 13 | Florida State | 9-3 |
| 14 | LSU | 9-3 |
| 15 | Oregon State | 9-3 |
| 16 | Oregon | 9-3 |
| 17 | UCLA | 9-3 |
| 18 | Tulane | 10-2 |
| 19 | South Carolina | 8-4 |
| 20 | Texas | 8-4 |
| 21 | Notre Dame | 8-4 |
| 22 | UCF | 9-3 |
| 23 | North Carolina | 9-3 |
| 24 | Mississippi State | 8-4 |
| 25 | NC State | 8-4 |
