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Following Week 12, The Post’s college football rankings and Heisman watch.
1. Georgia (11-0) (Last week: 1)
All season, Georgia’s defense has allowed nine points in the first quarter, paving the way for the unbeaten Bulldogs’ dominance.
The Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) are unbeaten (2)
On Saturday, the Big Ten East championship, a playoff place, and bragging rights will all be on the line in Columbus.
3. Michigan (11-0) (3)
Blake Corum’s left knee sustained no structural damage during the close victory against Illinois, but the injury was severe enough to force him out of the game. Ohio State cannot be defeated by Michigan unless the Heisman Trophy contender is correct.
Blake Corum USA TODAY Sports 4. TCU (11-0) has a perfect record (4)
This appears to be a squad of destiny, a bunch that finds a way to win regardless of the odds. On Saturday, TCU needed a game-winning 40-yard field goal from Griffin Kell with no time remaining to defeat Baylor.
5. LSU (9-2) (6) (6)
Saturday night’s thrashing against UAB, in which Jayden Daniels threw for 408 yards and two touchdowns, put LSU in the hunt for the playoffs.
6. USC (10-1) (7) (7)
USC’s defense finally made a stand after being torn apart for weeks and for the majority of Saturday night. As UCLA drove for the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter, Korey Foreman’s interception of Dorian Thompson-Robinson kept the Trojans’ legitimate playoff aspirations alive.
7. Alabama (9-2) (8)
Auburn is searching for a new coach after a disastrous year and is playing out the thread. Alabama has been eliminated from playoff contention. Iron Bowl on Saturday has rarely had less buzz and excitement.
8. Oregon (9-2) (10)
The postseason is out of the question, but the Ducks can still win the Pac-12 and reach the Rose Bowl if they defeat Utah at home on Saturday night and win the rest of their games.
William Williams
Photograph by Charles Baus/CSM/Shutterstock
9. Clemson (10-1) (NR)
The Tigers’ resume now includes a strong non-conference opponent, thanks to South Carolina’s surprising victory against Tennessee. That only counts if Clemson defeats its in-state opponent, which is hardly a given after the Gamecocks’ performance this weekend.
10. Penn State (9-2) (NR)
It was a typical Penn State season under James Franklin, with losses to Michigan and Ohio State but generally impressive accomplishments. It will guarantee at least a quality bowl game.
Tennessee (9-2) and Utah (9-2) were eliminated from playoff contention (8-3)
Heisman Watch (in expected order): quarterback USC’s Caleb Williams
USC defeated UCLA by a score of 48-45 to clinch a berth in the Pac-12 championship game. Our Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback threw for 470 yards and scored three touchdowns while under intense scrutiny.
C.J. Stroud, quarterback, Ohio State
In the previous four games, the sophomore has thrown only seven touchdown passes, which coincides with Ohio State’s recent inconsistent performance. He chose the wrong time to experience difficulty.
C.J. Stroud Getty Photographs
Blake Corum, Michigan tailback
Before suffering a left knee injury, Corum rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, his seventh consecutive game with at least 100 running yards and a touchdown.
QB Max Duggan, TCU
After guiding the Horned Frogs to yet another frenzied comeback, the senior, who was expected to be the backup this season, is now two victories away from bringing TCU to the playoffs. He may be the greatest story in all of college football, having put together a magnificent season that nobody could have predicted.
QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Hooker suffered an ACL tear late in South Carolina’s defeat. He deserved more after restoring Tennessee’s national prominence.