Week 13 featured the best game of the year so far, as Ohio State defeated Michigan in double overtime. There were also a few statement games such Colorado over Utah, Penn State over Michigan State, Washington over Washington State, and LSU over Texas A&M.
Would any of these games impact the TSS Power 16 poll after week 13? Here’s the latest installment of our ranking system.
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama (4) | 79 |
| 2 | Ohio State (1) | 75 |
| 3 | Clemson | 67 |
| 4 | Washington | 65 |
| 5 | Michigan | 62 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 53 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 46 |
| 8 | Colorado | 42 |
| 9 | Penn State | 39 |
| 10 | USC | 38 |
| 11 | Florida State | 28 |
| 12 | Oklahoma State | 23 |
| 13 | West Virginia | 17 |
| Tie | Western Michigan | 17 |
| 15 | Navy | 8 |
| 16 | Louisville | 7 |
| tie | Stanford | 7 |
| Others receiving votes: Florida 4, South Florida 2, Iowa 1 | ||
Notes and Observations
- As always, remember that these rankings are fluid and will change from week-to-week.
- Alabama remained atop the poll after a convincing victory in the Iron Bowl. However, the Crimson Tide was not a unanimous selection at No. 1 this week, as one voter tabbed Ohio State as the top team.
- Settle down, Bama fans, there’s actually data that would support this conclusion. According to the Coley Matrix, Ohio State has played a tougher schedule and has better wins against top 25 opponents.
- On the other hand, Alabama has more top 50 wins (8 versus 5 for Ohio State).
- Or, to paraphrase Bobby Bowden, “If we haven’t lost any games yet, you can’t say that we don’t have a doggone good football team”.
- Washington moved up to No. 4 in this week’s rankings after a dominant performance in the Apple Cup. While the Selection Committee might see it differently, out staff feels that the Huskies are in the field if they beat Colorado on Friday night.
- Michigan dropped to No. 5. If left up to us, the Wolverines would be the next team in if one of the top four not named Alabama were to lose.
- Penn State remains the most polarizing team in the rankings, finishing eighth or higher on four ballots. However, one voter left the Lions off altogether. That could change if PSU were to upset Wisconsin this weekend.
- Western Michigan is our favorite to capture the Group of Five bid after Boise State, Wyoming, and San Diego State all lost this weekend. That could change if the PJ Fleck situation becomes a distraction this week.
