College football: Top 10 team rankings after Week 11
New York, New York - In this college football season full of twist, turns, and major upsets, Week 11 delivered a dose of normalcy as the top 10 best teams only saw two defeats on the field.
After a comfortable win over Mississippi State, No. 1 Georgia clinched a spot in the SEC title game, and will face LSU, who defeated Arkansas 13-10 to clinch the SEC West division title.
While it is still being decided who will play in the Big Ten Championships, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan kept their season perfect this week and the two age-old rivals will meet with a conference and playoff berth on the line on November 26.
Trailing the top three best teams, No. 4 TCU and No. 5 Tennessee earned huge wins to keep its College Football Playoff berths alive, while the Pac-12's hopes took a huge hit with Oregon falling to Washington.
The Ducks were the only program in the West with decent chances of making it into the playoffs, but after a nail-biting loss, Oregon will probably watch the playoff games like the rest of us – on the couch.
Taking advantage of the Pac-12 losses was Clemson, who rejoins the top 10 after its huge upset loss from Notre Dame during Week 10, and Utah and Penn State – both 8-2 in the season – round out the top 10 teams after last weekend's action.
1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan
4. TCU
5. Tennessee
6. LSU (+2)
7. USC
8. Alabama (+2)
9. Clemson (n)
10. Utah, Penn State (n)
Oregon Ducks take the most painful loss of Week 11
Until Saturday, Oregon's only loss had the one they suffered at the hands of the reigning national champion Georgia in Week 1 of the season.
Bulldozing ahead with some huge wins the rest of the way, the Ducks were the team to beat in the West after rebounding from that opening game loss and dominating the field each week following.
In the end, Oregon's game against Washington came down to the wire, but home favorites could not deliver.
Late in the fourth quarter, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix left the game to an injury. After his exit, kicker Camden Lewis' scored a field goal point to extend the Ducks' lead to seven.
However, Washington quickly answered back and scored a touchdown to tie the game at 34.
The Huskies then stepped up beautifully for a 3-point field goal which ultimately ended up being the deciding factor for the win.
Before this disappointment, Oregon and its first-year head coach Dan Lanning was beginning to receive national attention as a potential threat to the current top four CFP ranked teams.
Now, with two losses and more tough teams to play, the biggest trip Oregon can earn is the Rose Bowl set for January in Pasadena.
The Ducks' next battle will be against the Utah Utes at home on Saturday at 10:30 PM EST.
Cover photo: JONATHAN BACHMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP