The Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports was released on Sunday afternoon, with a new top 25 being announced. While things at the very, very top remained stagnant, there was a bunch of change farther on down the line.
Let’s get to five things we learned from the new ranking.
1. All quiet at the top
At the top of the ranking, no change — Alabama held on to the No. 1 spot after a comfortable 47-28 win over Texas A&M, and Clemson retained the No. 2 spot after crushing Florida State, 45-14.
2. LSU jumped Ohio State
LSU and Florida was a close game on Saturday night, right up until it wasn’t, and LSU ran away with it for a 42-28 win. LSU leaped over Ohio State to take the No. 3 spot with the win. Ohio State had a bye week, so they’ll live with the No. 4 spot.
3. Georgia dove to #10
Georgia lost an absolutely bizarre game to South Carolina, and bombed down from their No. 3 ranking last week to No. 10 in the country. If they win out, they can perhaps get back into the playoff discussion, but that loss may have doomed their season.
4. The Big Ten is lurking
There are three undefeated Big Ten teams — Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State — hanging out in the Nos. 4-7 range and all looking really, really good. Wisconsin is crushing teams, Penn State just won a grimy one over Iowa State, and Ohio State might be the best team in the country. I have no idea which of these three can get in the playoff, or if more than one can.
5. Rank Tulane, you absolute cowards
“But wait,” you say, “Nate: Didn’t you go to Tulane? This seems journalistically irresponsible to be advocating for them to be ranked.”
To which I reply: “Kick rocks, nerd.”
Roll Wave!
