Michigan State climbs into top four in CFB Power Rankings after Week 12

And then there were two. Two weeks left (or just one for Notre Dame and most of the Big 12) for teams to make their final auditions for the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Ohio State was already out of my top four, but their defeat still created a shakeup in my playoff picks. With two of my top four currently in line to play on Championship Saturday, there’s bound to be some more changes, too. Playoff berths are within reach, so the stakes are only getting higher.

1. Clemson Tigers

PREVIOUS: 1

RECORD: 11-0

Next week: Saturday at South Carolina

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

PREVIOUS: 2

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Beat Charleston Southern 56-6 Next week: Saturday at Auburn

3. Iowa Hawkeyes

PREVIOUS: 4

RECORD: 11-0

Last week: Beat Purdue 40-20 Next week: Friday at Nebraska

4. Michigan State Spartans

PREVIOUS: 9

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Beat Ohio State 17-14 Next week: Saturday vs. Penn State

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

PREVIOUS: 3

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Beat Boston College 19-16 Next week: Saturday at Stanford • College Football Playoff bubble watch

6. Oklahoma Sooners

PREVIOUS: 8

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Beat TCU 30-29 Next week: Saturday at Oklahoma State

7. Baylor Bears

PREVIOUS: 10

RECORD: 9-1

Last week: Beat Oklahoma State 45-35 Next week: Saturday at TCU

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys

PREVIOUS: 5

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Lost to Baylor 45-35 Next week: Saturday vs. Oklahoma

9. Ohio State Buckeyes

PREVIOUS: 6

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Lost to Michigan State 17-14 Next week: Saturday at Michigan

10. Florida Gators

PREVIOUS: 7

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Beat Florida Atlantic 20-14 in OT Next week: Saturday vs. Florida State • Florida fails playoff eye test in FAU win

11. Michigan Wolverines

PREVIOUS: 12

RECORD: 9-2

Last week: Beat Penn State 28-16 Next week: Saturday vs. Ohio State

12. North Carolina Tar Heels

PREVIOUS: 13

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Beat Virginia Tech 30-27 in OT Next week: Saturday at NC State

13. Stanford Cardinal

PREVIOUS: 15

RECORD: 9-2

Last week: Beat Cal 35-22 Next week: Saturday vs. Notre Dame

14. Northwestern Wildcats

PREVIOUS: 18

RECORD: 9-2

Last week: Beat Wisconsin 13-7 Next week: Saturday vs. Illinois

15. Navy Midshipmen

PREVIOUS: 19

RECORD: 9-1

Last week: Beat Tulsa 44-21 Next week: Friday at Houston • Biggest playoff takeaways from Week 12

16. TCU Horned Frogs

PREVIOUS: 11

RECORD: 9-2

Last week: Lost to Oklahoma 30-29 Next week: Friday vs. Baylor

17. Florida State Seminoles

PREVIOUS: 21

RECORD: 9-2

Last week: Beat Chattanooga 52-13 Next week: Saturday at Florida

18. Oregon Ducks

PREVIOUS: 23

RECORD: 8-3

Last week: Beat USC 48-28 Next week: Friday vs. Oregon State

19. Ole Miss Rebels

RECORD: 8-3

Last week: Beat LSU 38-17 Next week: Saturday at Mississippi State

20. Toledo Rockets

PREVIOUS: 22

RECORD: 9-1

Last week: Beat Bowling Green 44-28 Next week: Friday vs. Western Michigan • Five things to watch in coaching carousel

21. Houston Cougars

PREVIOUS: 14

RECORD: 10-1

Last week: Lost to UConn 20-17 Next week: Friday vs. Navy

22. Temple Owls

RECORD: 9-2

Last week: Beat Memphis 31-12 Next week: Saturday vs. UConn

23. LSU Tigers

PREVIOUS: 16

RECORD: 7-3

Last week: Lost to Ole Miss 38-17 Next week: Saturday vs. Texas A&M

24. Washington State Cougars

RECORD: 8-3

Last week: Beat Colorado 27-3 Next week: Friday at Washington

25. UCLA Bruins

RECORD: 8-3

Last week: Beat Utah 17-9 Next week: Saturday at USC

Next five: Utah, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Memphis, Pittsburgh
Dropped out: Utah, Wisconsin, USC, Memphis