In the second 2021 edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, Alabama Football held firm at No. 2. For Alabama Crimson Tide fans there had been some concern since the Tide’s unimpressive win over LSU.
Thanks to the Michigan State loss, along with also unimpressive performances from Ohio State and Cincinnati, the Crimson Tide did not move in the rankings. As a result of the Spartans dropping their first game, Oregon, Ohio State, Cincinnati and Michigan each moved up one spot in the rankings.
Other than the Georgia Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide, at No. 1 and No. 2, only one other team maintained its position in the second CFP rankings. The fans of that third team will be unhappy for another week at least. The undefeated Oklahoma Sooners remained at No. 8.
The FBS is down to four undefeated teams and one of them, Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) entered the rankings for the first time at No. 23. The other three are Georgia, Cincinnati and Oklahoma.
Three of the top four ranked teams have one loss; Alabama Football (No.2), Oregon (No. 3) and Ohio State (No. 4).
Joining the Roadrunners (UTSA) as newly ranked teams are Purdue at No. 19, Utah at No. 24 and the Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 25.
The biggest down, movers in the second rankings were Michigan State and Auburn, with each team dropping four spots after Saturday losses. The biggest upward move of four spots came from Pitt. Wisconsin, North Carolina State and Texas A&M gained three spots each.
The most support for the Alabama Football ranking position comes from Texas A&M, Ole Miss and future opponents Arkansas and Auburn. The Aggies, at No. 11, are the highest-ranked two-loss team. Ole Miss moved up to No. 15. Auburn dropped to No. 17 after its loss to Texas A&M. The Arkansas Razorbacks are at No. 25.
The Top 25 field includes five, three-loss teams; Auburn, Wisconsin, Purdue, Utah and Arkansas.
There is plenty of drama left for college football fans. There are three more Tuesday rankings on Nov. 16, Nov, 23 and Nov. 30. The final College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Selection Sunday, Dec. 5.
The complete, second, Top 25 CFP rankings are available here.
A small sampling of Twitter responses from Tuesday night indicates the firestorm sparked by the Crimson Tide ranked at No. 2 rages on. Selection Committee Chair, Gary Barta was immediately targeted on social media.