Final Ben Ten Rankings before Playoff announcement

Well, here we are. The final weekend of the season draws near. Here's what we know: Alabama is No. 1. After that, there will be at least five teams arguing for three Playoff spots. Those five are: Clemson (if it wins the ACC), Ohio State, and the Big 12, Big Ten, and Pac-12 winners. Good luck to the Playoff Committee Saturday night into Sunday morning. For now, here's how I see it. Remember, I'm not predicting the Playoff rankings that will come out Tuesday, I'm giving you my Top 10 as of the games played Saturday.

Playoff Teams

1) Alabama
Last week: No. 1
Record: 12-0
Wins over currently ranked teams: USC, LSU, Auburn
This week: vs. Florida (SEC Championship)
Alabama will enter the College Football Playoff regardless of what happens in Atlanta Saturday. The Crimson Tide didn't allow a touchdown in the month of November (against LSU, Mississippi State, Chattanooga and Auburn). It appears Alabama will earn back-to-back games in the Georgia Dome, as both the SEC Championship and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the site of one of the semifinal games, are held in the Dome.

2) Clemson

Clemson flexed its muscle against South Carolina. The Tigers
are flexing at the right time with the Playoff around the corner.
(Photo courtesy Clemson Athletics)

Last week: No. 3
Record: 11-1
Wins over currently ranked teams: Auburn, Louisville, Florida State
This week: vs. Virginia Tech (ACC Championship)
Clemson annihilated South Carolina 56-7 and has been on a tear since losing to Pitt. The Tigers jumped out to a 28-0 lead before Wake Forest scored and led 42-0 before the Gamecocks scored. Clemson has taken its focus to a new level and though the competition hasn't been great, both Wake Forest and South Carolina are going bowling. Clemson has scored 35 points or more in five straight games, including 54+ points in two of the five. The reason for flipping Clemson ahead of Ohio State? Simple: The Tigers earned the chance to play for a conference championship. The Buckeyes did not.

3) Ohio State

Last week: No. 2
Record: 11-1
Wins over currently ranked teams: Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan
This week: N/A
Color me unimpressed with Ohio State in its games against quality competition. If not for a few boneheaded mistakes - both on the field and by the coaches - the Buckeyes could have three losses. Ohio State lost at Penn State, was fortunate the escape East Lansing as Michigan State decided to go for two points and the win - and failed - and used a handful of Michigan turnovers to upend the Wolverines in double overtime at home.

4) Washington
Last week: No. 5
Record: 11-1
Wins over currently ranked teams: N/A
This week: vs. Colorado (Friday in Pac-12 Championship)
Washington drubbed Washington State in the Apple Cup 45-17 in a game that wasn't that close. The Huskies still need to win the Pac-12 to earn a Playoff bid. Washington's résumé took a hit as both the ranked teams it had beaten - Utah and Washington State - fell out of the AP Top 25. The only quality game on UW's schedule is now a 13-point home loss to USC, which has three losses.

Next in line

5) Michigan
Last week: No. 4
Record: 10-2
Wins over currently ranked teams: Colorado, Penn State, Wisconsin
This week: N/A
Michigan led Ohio State for over half the game. The Wolverines were literally inches away from taking down the Buckeyes in Columbus. However, the takeaway here is that Michigan went 2-2 in road games. The two wins were against Rutgers and Michigan State, two teams with a combined 5-19 record. The two losses: Iowa (8-4) and Ohio State (11-1). Essentially, Michigan couldn't handle two quality opponents in their home environment. They do, however, hold wins over both teams playing in the Big Ten title game - Wisconsin and Penn State.

6) Wisconsin
Last week: 6
Record: 10-2
Wins over currently ranked teams: LSU, Iowa, Nebraska
This week: vs. Penn State (Big Ten Championship)
We've reached the point in the rankings where Big Ten teams are actually headed to the conference championship game. Wisconsin used a second half comeback to knock off a pesky Minnesota team, 31-17. The Badgers already locked up the Big Ten West a day earlier when Nebraska was taken down by Iowa. Wisconsin's body of work is nice, with three wins over ranked teams and two seven-point losses to Michigan and Ohio State. Still, that's two losses and the Badgers will need help to jump into the Top 4.

7) Oklahoma
Last Week: 7
Record: 9-2
Wins over currently ranked teams: West Virginia
This week: vs. Oklahoma State
Oklahoma received no help this weekend. The Sooners were on a bye and hoped for chaos. Instead, much of the action ahead of them went as expected. It's been a nice turnaround since the 1-2 start for Oklahoma, but going undefeated in the Big 12 (to this point) won't win over very many committee members. OU can still win the conference by winning Bedlam over Oklahoma State in Norman. That'd send the Sooners to the Sugar Bowl against some SEC team (Auburn and Florida seem the likeliest of the bunch). An 11-win season with a New Year's Six Bowl win over an SEC team would be great momentum heading into the offseason - a far cry from the past two offseasons.

8) Penn State
Last week: 8
Record: 10-2
Wins over currently ranked teams: Ohio State, Iowa
This week: vs. Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship)
Penn State erupted for 35 points in the second half of its 45-12 win over Michigan State to clinch the Big Ten East title. The Nittany Lions earned their first trip the Big Ten Championship Game. Penn State will have a solid argument to get into the Playoff because it A) beat Ohio State head-to-head and B) would have a conference championship. That's not to say PSU will be in, but it will have a strong argument for winning the toughest conference this season.

9) Colorado
Last week: 9
Record: 10-2
Wins over currently ranked teams: Stanford
This week: vs. Washington (Friday in Pac-12 Championship)
Colorado edged Utah 27-22 in a game the Buffs needed big time. It's been a while since Folsom Field has had that kind of celebration and it is great to see what Mike MacIntyre has done in Boulder. Colorado will get its chance to put an exlamation point on its season with the Pac-12 Championship game against Washington. A win at least gets Colorado in the conversation of the Playoff, but assures the Buffaloes at least the Rose Bowl. A loss, and they could still make the Rose Bowl by being the highest ranked Pac-12 team after Washington (if Washington makes the Playoff).

10) Western Michigan
Last week: 10
Record: 12-0
Wins over currently ranked teams: None
This week: vs. Ohio (Friday in MAC Championship)
Here they are, the only other undefeated team in the land after the regular season. Western Michigan can lock up a New Year's Six Bowl bid by winning the MAC title Friday against Ohio. If the Broncos do win, they will be rowing the boat from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Arlington, Texas, for the Cotton Bowl. What a fantastic job P.J. Fleck has done.

Dropped out: None

Four on the outside: Oklahoma State, Southern Cal, Florida State, West Virginia

-BtW