#1. Georgia Bulldogs (13-0) vs. #4. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2)

In my rankings, the top SEC teams would battle it out for a spot in the National Championship. These teams faced off twice last season, each team winning one with Georgia winning the National Championship. Alabama, despite having two loses, has only lost by a combined 4 points this season with both loses being on the road. Georgia, being undefeated and dominating their schedule, has earned the top spot.

#2. Michigan Wolverines (13-0) vs. #3. TCU Horned Frogs (12-1)

Despite an overtime loss in the Big-12 Championship to Kansas State, TCU remains at 3 after an undefeated regular season. The Wolverines heavy rush offense versus the Horned Frogs heavy pass offense would be a shootout for the history books. The Wolverines undefeated season paired with their dominant win over Ohio State earned the #2 spot.

#5. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1)

Ohio State fell one spot short of returning to the playoffs despite an 11 win season. An heartbreaking double digit home loss against #2 Michigan may have costed them their chance to play #1 Georgia in the Playoffs.

#6. Tennessee Volunteers (10-2)

Tennessee had a great regular season with historic wins against Alabama and LSU, but with a couple of losses in the closing weeks of the season they will miss the Playoff. The program has made a huge turn around and will be looking to claim a spot in the Playoff next season.

#7. USC Trojans (11-2)

The Trojans had their chance to make the Playoff but after a double digit loss in the PAC-12 Championship they slid three spots down in the rankings. Led by Heisman Candidate QB, Caleb Williams, the Trojans had a great first season under former Oklahoma Head Coach Lincoln Riley and are looking to next season for their shot at the Playoffs.

#8. Kansas State Wildcats (10-3)

The Wildcats put the nation on notice after beating #3 TCU in overtime in the Big-12 Championship. That win alone was enough to give them a good spot but pairing it alongside with a great season led by Running Back Deuce Vaughn, the Wildcats had a year to remember for the Program.

#9. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2)

Penn State had a dominant season, With their only two losses being to #2 Michigan and #5 Ohio State, the Nittany Lions proved themselves amongst the nation’s top teams. With QB Sean Clifford graduating after 5 seasons with the team, the Nittany Lions will look to their next QB next season. 

#10. Utah Utes (10-3)

The Utes had a roller coaster of a season. With two wins versus #7 USC, they showed their ability to compete with the best teams in the nation. But, with losses to Florida, Oregon and UCLA they showed their lack of clutch play ability. They had a great season overall and earned themselves a top 10 spot.