Why new College Football Playoff rankings still don’t look good for Michigan-Ohio State loser

Michigan and Ohio State are ranked among the top three teams in the new College Football Playoff rankings. Michigan moved up two spots to No. 3 in poll, while the Buckeyes held strong at No 2. Alabama lost for the second time and Clemson got blown out at Notre Dame.

Tennessee dropped four spots to No. 5 in the latest CFP rankings. The Volunteers are in good position to make the top four if they win their final three games. There are three one-loss teams out West with a chance to get into the playoff. TCU is 9-0 despite a full touchdown loss at three-losing Texas. Utah's game with Oregon on November 19 would be a big blow for Pac-12. Michigan-Ohio State game is a deciding factor. It's unlikely that the loser of the game will get any preferential treatment. If the Pac 12 wins the championship, the winner of it will be ranked ahead of Tennessee.

LSU is currently ranked high enough to make a significant move up the rankings if it wins out. If TCU loses a game and the Pac-12 champ isn't a one-loss Oregon or USC, an 11-2 LSU team could probably get in behind Georgia, Tennessee, and Big Ten champion.