Wasserman's College Football Top 10 Ranking: Ole Miss enters the mix

It’s a new era of college football. 

The College Football Playoff committee is releasing rankings now, but they aren’t going to be the end-all, be-all given the new seeding rules of the 12-team field. But the rankings are still fun and people are still going to fight over them. They still matter. 

So, every weekend, after the dust settles from the games, I release my top 10. Three days later, we’ll see if the CFP committee agrees or disagrees.

Here is the latest edition: 

1. Oregon (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten)

After a rough few weeks to enter the season, Oregon has been on autopilot. Outside of its signature win — a one-point victory at home over Ohio State in mid-October — it’s been blowout after blowout for the Ducks. Oregon was due for having a less-explosive game this weekend. And even though the Ducks had it, they still beat Maryland, 39-18. It feels like a waiting game for a potential rematch between Ohio State and Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, though the Buckeyes still have to get through Indiana to get to Indianapolis. Either way, Oregon is basically guaranteed to make the CFP and looks like the best, most complete team in college football.
Last week’s rank: 1

2. Ohio State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten)

Ohio State got is most important win of the season last weekend when it knocked off Penn State in State College. Maybe there was some worry that the Buckeyes would come out sleepwalking against Purdue. Maybe Ohio State did a little. It’s hard to tell when the opponent is that overmatched. It didn’t matter. Ohio State won 45-0 as it inches a week closer to its big-time clash with Indiana in Columbus. The Buckeyes control their own destiny in the Big Ten race and are sitting pretty to make the Playoff.
Last week’s rank: 2

3. Texas (8-1, 4-1 SEC)

It’s fair to question whether Texas should be considered one of the national title favorites after how things went against Georgia in Austin in October. But in a matchup with a DJ Lagway-less Florida, Texas flexed its muscles and poured it on the Gators, winning 49-17. This has been a weird season, so it’s hard to jump to conclusions based on one result. The Longhorns need to keep winning — and beat Texas A&M on the road at the end of the year — to avoid any questions about its weak resume. That said, the Longhorns should absolutely be viewed as a dangerous team capable of making noise into January.
Last week’s rank: 4

4. Indiana (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) 

Indiana came into this weekend’s game against Michigan having beaten everyone on its schedule by 14 or more points. The Hoosiers, though, found itself in a rock fight with a Michigan team that frankly hasn’t been all that good this year. Indiana ended up winning, 20-15, but outside of its record, the Hoosiers don’t have much to claim on their resume. A game at Ohio State in a few weeks will tell us everything we need to know about how Indiana matches up with the monsters of the sport. But being 10-0 for the first time in program history means something. 
Last week’s rank: 7

5. Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten)

Penn State played one really good team this year and it lost. But losing a fairly close game to Ohio State, though it exposed some warts, doesn’t make the Nittany Lions a bad team. It just doesn’t have a great resume. Beating up on Washington on Saturday night was a nice way to turn the page. Penn State seems destined to finish the season 11-1, so James Franklin will get another opportunity to win a big game this season. Between Drew Allar, Tyler Warren and that defensive line, the Nittany Lions have the pieces to make a run if they figure things out.
Last week’s rank: 4

6. Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC)

The lone blemish on Tennessee’s resume was a loss to Arkansas, but the Volunteers have taken care of business every other week. Tennessee handled Mississippi State despite not having Nico Iamaleava in the second half, who took a hard hit and just wasn’t needed to return. Tennessee’s win over Alabama strengthens its resume, but the Volunteers may have to beat Georgia in order to make the CFP now that the SEC has a bunch of teams (like Ole Miss) making a case to make the field. Tennessee, though, should feel pretty good about its chances to beat the Bulldogs, though that game is in Athens.
Last week’s rank: 9

7. Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 SEC)

Ole Miss beat Georgia 28-10 at home on Saturday and looked like the bigger, faster, stronger and more talented team for four quarters. Though people — including me — left the Rebels for dead after losing to Kentucky earlier in the year, they have one of the most talented rosters in college football and a win over Georgia on its resume. The SEC race is a mess, but Ole Miss only has Florida and Mississippi State left on its regular season schedule. Ole Miss spent a lot of money in the offseason to bolster its defensive line and other key spots, and the return on that investment was what happened in Oxford on Saturday.
Last week’s rank: NR

8. Notre Dame (8-1) 

Notre Dame had the privilege of playing Florida State on Saturday and it was another glorified bye week. The Irish won the game 52-3, which was their seventh-consecutive win since the embarrassing loss to Northern Illinois. People may not be taking Notre Dame seriously because that kind of loss has a way of defining a team, but it will 100 percent be in the College Football Playoff if it wins out. Notre Dame has been playing well and still has to face Virginia, Army and USC. Notre Dame should be 11-1 and firmly in the field when the season ends.
Last week’s rank: 10

9. BYU (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) 

BYU had lost to Utah when quarterback Jake Retzlaff got sacked at his own goal line with less than two minutes left in the game. The game was over. Utah was celebrating. Nope, a late flag for defensive holding gave the Cougars second life. They made the most of it, driving down the field and kicking a game-winning field goal to win the Holy War in dramatic fashion. BYU has been electric in near-losses this season and it keeps finding ways to win. They remain unbeaten in the Big 12 and in control of their Playoff destiny.
Last week’s rank: 8

10. Alabama (7-2, 4-2 SEC)

After Alabama lost to Tennessee a few weeks ago, it was easy to write off the Crimson Tide. But after Saturday’s blowout of LSU in Tiger Stadium — a game in which quarterback Jalen Milroe rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns — Alabama is firmly back in the picture. Alabama has a win over Georgia in its pocket and a manageable schedule remaining for the rest of the year. It has a really good chance to make the College Football Playoff after winning an elimination game in Baton Rouge.
Last week’s rank: NR