2016 College Football Playoff Week 12 rankings: Alabama heads the group, Ohio State, Michigan and Clemson in Top 4

It was to be expected that the Alabama Crimson Tide would be at the top of the College Football Playoff rankings this week after handling Misssissippi State in a 51-3 victory. So when the CFP rankings were issued out on Tuesday, there was little shock when the Tide found themselves at the #1 position in the poll.

Perhaps the surprise comes from those who are ranked No. 3 and 4. The Ohio State Buckeyes joined the crew, jumping up to the No. 2 spot after their impressive win over the Maryland Terrapins this past weekend. But the Michigan Wolverines and Clemson Tigers, who both took losses over the weekend to the Iowa Hawkeyes and Pittsburgh Panthers, still find themselves among the Top 4.

Just on the outside looking in at No. 5 and 6 are the Louisville Cardinals and Washington Huskies, who suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday night to the USC Trojans who are now ranked No. 13. Wisconsin, Penn State, Oklahoma, and Colorado round out the Top 10 in spots 7-10.

You’d have to go to No. 15 and 16 to find the next pair of SEC teams. Auburn and LSU find themselves there as one rose and one fell. After dropping one to the Georgia Bulldogs, the Auburn Tigers dropped from No. 9 to 15, while LSU soared up to 16th after their victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Tennessee, Florida, and Texas A&M meanwhile still find themselves in the Top 25 as well. The Vols are at 19th, while Florida checks in at 23. A&M, meanwhile, after two consecutive losses to the Mississippi schools, just barely made the cut as they rank 25th.