NEW YORK (CBS Sports) — The Associated Press Top 25 may not affect the College Football Playoff race, but it might preview an interesting top 25 by the selection committee this week.
Auburn and Oklahoma, two teams previously outside the AP top 10, came in at No. 8 and No. 9 this week.
If the selection committee mirrors these sentiments, the playoff race could get a lot tighter with just weeks remaining in the season.
Still, Alabama is an overwhelming No. 1 with Michigan sitting at No. 2 and holding the only other first-place vote.
The biggest leap belongs to Penn State, which jumped from No. 20 to No. 12 — more closely resembling the first playoff rankings.
Baylor fell 12 spots from No. 13 to No. 25 after getting housed by TCU, but remained ranked all the same.
Nebraska also fell from No. 9 to No. 21 after losing to Ohio State.
Here’s how the rest of the top 25 looks…
1. Alabama (60)
2. Michigan (1)
3. Clemson
4. Washington
5. Louisville
6. Ohio State
7. Wisconsin
8. Auburn
9. Oklahoma
10. Texas A&M
11. West Virginia
12. Penn State
13. Utah
14. Western Michigan
15. North Carolina
16. Colorado
17. Oklahoma State
18. Virginia Tech
19. LSU
20. Florida State
21. Nebraska
22. Florida
23. Washington State
24. Boise State
25. Baylor
