Rivalry week always brings intensity and certainly upsets. A few huge ones happened on Saturday. Mainly the losses for Alabama and Miami. Thus, opening the door for not only Auburn, but Ohio State, Georgia and others to maybe get a spot in the College Football Playoff. It’s down to the wire and only Championship Week remains for some teams to make their final impressions. But that’s next week, here’s how things look heading into it, at least from our end anyway. The W2Mnet College Football Top 25.

W2Mnet College Football Top 25 (Week 13)

* just a reminder that seven staff members voted on this Top 25*

#1 Clemson Tigers

Record: 11-1 (7-1, ACC Atlantic Winner)

Last Week: 3

The Clemson Tigers got off to a fast start in Columbia and didn’t look back. Boosted by the South Carolina Gamecocks inability to down a punt before the ball reached the end zone, and Kelly Bryant finding Hunter Renfrow twice. Clemson raced off to a 34-0 lead at the end of the third quarter before calling off the dogs…er…cats. Travis Etienne had a modest day on the ground, but still scored, and now a date with the Miami Hurricanes in Charlotte looms large to whether or not Clemson can defend their title. – Erik Watkins

Next Week: vs. Miami Hurricanes (10-1) in ACC Championship Game (Charlotte, North Carolina)

#2 Oklahoma Sooners

Record: 11-1 (8-1, 1st in Big 12)

Last Week: 5

The Oklahoma Sooners did not allow Baker Mayfield’s controversial actions and temporary benching to affect them one bit. Oklahoma put their stamp on their matchup against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Big turnovers by the Sooner defense propelled them ahead in the lead. Rodney Anderson was a large contributor, as he rushed for 118 yards and found the endzone four times. Baker Mayfield leapt off the bench and never looked back with three touchdowns of his own. To the dismay of West Virginia, the Oklahoma Sooners showed the nation just how dominant they are. – Gary Vaughan

Next Week: vs. TCU Horned Frogs (10-2) in Big 12 Championship Game (Arlington, Texas)

#3 Wisconsin Badgers

Record: 12-0 (9-0, Big Ten West Winner)

Last Week: 4

The college football regular season ends with two undefeated teams. The Central Florida Golden Knights and these Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin went to Minnesota and completely shut down the Golden Gophers, pitching their first shutout in the process. Running Back Jonathan Taylor had 149 yards on the ground and a score. While quarterback Alex Hornibrook went 15-19 for 151 yards and three TDs through the air as well. – Harry Broadhurst

Next Week: vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) in Big Ten Championship Game (Indianapolis, Indiana)

#4 Auburn Tigers

Record: 10-2 (7-1, SEC West Winner)

Last Week: 6

The Auburn Tigers is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now. In the last three games, they have beaten a #1 Georgia Bulldogs team and now a #1 Alabama team. The Tigers are clicking on offense and defense. Now, they face a rematch with Georgia in the SEC Championship. If they win, they are virtually into the playoff. – Daniel Anderson

Next Week: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (11-1) in SEC Championship Game (Atlanta, Georgia)

#5 Central Florida Knights

Record: 11-0 (8-0, American East Winner)

Last Week: 7

Sometimes when you are having an incredible season, the right things just happen. Nothing exhibits that more than running back a kickoff return 95 yards with under two minutes left to keep an undefeated season alive. Well, for the Central Florida Knights that’s what happened. Although that may be the biggest highlight, McKenzie Milton also continued his great season with 373 yards passing and four touchdowns on the day. A game that lived up to all the hype sees UCF roll into the AAC Game, and a New Year’s Six Bowl locked-up too. – Sean Garmer

Next Game: vs. Memphis Tigers (10-1) in AAC Championship Game (Orlando, Florida)

#6 Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 11-1 (7-1, 2nd in SEC West)

Last Week: 1

The Alabama Crimson Tide finally had a bad game and it came at the worst time. The Crimson Tide just looked to not be the same team as we have seen all year as they kept making mistakes. The Crimson Tide now faces an unfamiliar situation for them of watching the SEC Championship game and hoping they get a playoff spot, instead of controlling their own destiny. – Daniel Anderson

Next Week: NONE

#7 Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 10-2 (8-1, Big Ten East Winner)

Last Week: 8

Sideline photographers aside, once the Ohio State Buckeyes were down by two scores to the rival Michigan Wolverines, they turned on the jets and Urban Meyer‘s Buckeyes rallied to keep Jim Harbaugh winless against the Ohio State. RB JK Dobbins ran for 101 yards and a score. QB Dwayne Haskins, who replaced the injured J.T. Barrett, went 6-7 for 94 yards in helping the Buckeyes to the come from behind win. – Harry Broadhurst

Next Week: vs. Wisconsin Badgers (12-0) in Big Ten Championship Game (Indianapolis, Indiana)

#8 Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 11-1 (7-1, SEC East Winner)

Last Week: 9

The Bulldogs could not afford a close game against Georgia Tech with all the chaos happening this weekend. They came out and destroyed Georgia Tech 38-7 and made a statement with the win. Now they face a rematch in the SEC Championship against an Auburn team that embarrassed them a few weeks ago. Like Auburn, if they win the Championship game they should be in the playoff. Daniel Anderson

Next Week: vs. Auburn Tigers (10-2) in SEC Championship Game (Atlanta, Georgia)

#9 Penn State Nittany Lions

Record: 10-2 (7-2, 2nd in Big Ten East)

Last Week: 10

The Maryland Terrapins started the year by going to Texas and beating the Longhorns. The Terps end the season on the receiving end of a beating in College Park courtesy of the Penn State Nitanny Lions. Penn St had dropped two in a row in the Big Ten (to OSU and MSU) but won their final three in very convincing fashion. Trace McSorley had a pair of TD passes (and one on the ground) and the Lions found their defense as well, holding Maryland to just a field goal for the whole game. – Harry Broadhurst

Next Week: NONE

#10 Miami Hurricanes

Record: 10-1 (6-1, ACC Coastal Winner)

Last Week: 2

Fans’ biggest fears — and critics’ biggest hangups — have come to a head. The Hurricanes got off to another slow start on the road against the Pitt Panthers. After going down 3-0 early, they seemed to catch a break after the Turnover Chain made yet another appearance.

But after an early touchdown, Miami’s offense never got going. At one point, QB Malik Rosier was benched for Evan Sherriffs, but returned to the game to throw a late touchdown pass. Outplayed and outmanned, Pitt took advantage of Miami playing down to the level of competition, and freshman QB Kenny Pickett made his first career start count. Now it’s on the ‘Canes to pull off another upset of their own if they want a chance at the Orange Bowl. – Erik Watkins

Next Week: vs. Clemson Tigers (11-1) in ACC Championship Game (Charlotte, North Carolina)

#11 Stanford Cardinal

Record: 9-3 (7-2, 1st in Pac-12)

Last Week: 17

The Stanford Cardinal knew by half-time that Washington probably locked up the PAC-12 title berth for them, but still went out and defeated a very good Notre Dame Fighting Irish to end the year undefeated at home. K.J. Costello threw four touchdowns total, two in the fourth quarter to help get Stanford the win. Bryce Love added to his yards total with 125 more, and the Cardinal defense forced three turnovers too. A total team effort with a chance at redemption against USC on Friday for the PAC-12 Championship. – Sean Garmer

Next Week: vs. USC (10-2) in PAC-12 Championship Game (Santa Clara, California)

#12 USC Trojans

Record: 10-2 (8-1, Pac-12 South Winner)

Last Week: 12

After defeating their rivals the UCLA Bruins last week, the USC Trojans simply played the waiting game to find out their opponent in the PAC-12 Championship Game. They get the Friday showcase game in Santa Clara, California. Hoping to be the team in a New Year’s Six Bowl. – Sean Garmer

Next Week: vs. Stanford (9-3) in PAC-12 Championship Game (Santa Clara, California)

#13 TCU Horned Frogs

Record: 10-2 (7-2, 2nd in Big 12)

Last Week: 13

The TCU Horned Frogs had a slow start, but quickly woke up to defeat the Baylor Bears. It was a tense and chippy game, full of emotions as both teams fought for different goals. Kenny Hill kept his offense rolling; as he passed for over 300 yards and a trio of touchdowns. On defense, we saw the Horned Frogs create turnovers and capitalize on them to grab a stronghold on the game. TCU now heads to the Big XII Championship Game in a rematch against Oklahoma, hoping their defense has a better showing this time. – Gary Vaughan

Next Week: vs. Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) in Big 12 Championship Game (Arlington, Texas)

#14 Washington Huskies

Record: 10-2 (7-2, 2nd in Pac-12 North)

Last Week: 15

The Washington Huskies only playing for pride and the Apple Cup trophy, blasted rival the Washington State Cougars chances at the PAC-12 Title game with a blowout victory. Myles Gaskin decimated their defense with 192 yards on 25 carries, and four touchdowns, (one in each quarter to boot). The Huskies defense forced four turnovers and sent their fans out of the stadium overjoyed for the last home game of the season. – Sean Garmer

Next Week: NONE

#15 LSU Tigers

Record: 9-3 (6-2, 3rd in SEC West)

Last Week: 20

The LSU Tigers faced a Texas A&M Aggies team that were playing for coach Kevin Sumlin’s job. LSU played a great game and destroyed A&M 45-21. LSU has secured a fairly good bowl game for themselves. While A&M may have a coaching decision to make. – Daniel Anderson

Next Week: NONE

#16 Memphis Tigers

Record: 8-1 (5-1, 1st in American West)

Last Week: 18

Coming into the day, the Memphis Tigers were already in to the AAC Championship Game. So, this game against the East Carolina Pirates didn’t matter. However, give Memphis credit, they sure didn’t play like it. Riley Ferguson threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Patrick Taylor and Darrell Henderson combined for 249 yards and four touchdowns. The defense even turned in a Pick-Six too. Memphis rolls into a rematch with UCF next week.- Sean Garmer

Next Week: vs. UCF Knights (11-0) in AAC Championship Game (Orlando, Florida)

#17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Record: (9-3, Independent)

Last Week: 11

Notre Dame fought all the way into the fourth quarter, and then met an onslaught of points they couldn’t answer. The turnovers sure didn’t help, as Brandon Wimbush threw two of them on the day. He did throw two TD’s that kept them in it, but Josh Adams was once again held in check, which didn’t help matters either. For a year that’s seen them flirt with the College Football Playoff, ends in a whimper with big losses in the back half of the season. – Sean Garmer

Next Week: NONE

#18 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Record: 9-3 (6-3, 3rd in Big 12)

Last Week: 21

The Oklahoma State Cowboys dominated the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday. The Cowboys created an avalanche of offense that ran right over a struggling Jayhawks defense. It was an overwhelming 661 total yards of offense that buried Kansas. Mason Rudolph was the general; as he passed for 494 yards. Rudolph also accounted for a pair of passing touchdowns and two 1 yard goal line rushing touchdowns. The Cowboys gave their all to finish strong. – Gary Vaughan

Next Week: vs. NONE

#19 Michigan State Spartans

Record: 9-3 (7-2, 2nd in Big Ten East)

Last Week: 23

Three TD rushes in the fourth quarter and a quartet of Matt Coghlin field goals led the way, as the Michigan State Spartans completely dominated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in New Jersey. Spartans QB Brian Lewerke had 222 yards and a score through the air. While the Michigan State defense held Rutgers scoreless in the second half. – Harry Broadhurst

Next Week: NONE

#20 Northwestern Wildcats

Record: 9-3 (7-2, 2nd in Big Ten West)

Last Week: 22

The Northwestern Wildcats spotted Illinois the first score of the game. It would be Illinois’ only score, as Wildcats rattled off 42 straight points taking down the Fighting Illini in Champaign. Justin Jackson ran for 144 yards and four different Wildcats had rushing TDs too. The Wildcats outgained Illinois by more than 200 yards on the ground (306-100). Northwestern probably end their impressive season with a pretty good Bowl game. – Harry Broadhurst

Next Week: NONE

#21 Mississippi State Bulldogs

Record: 7-3 (3-3, 4th in SEC West)

Last Week: 16

The Mississippi State Bulldogs received a big blow, when starting quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald, left with a leg injury in the first quarter. Despite that, they still fought to make the game close in the fourth quarter. However, they couldn’t overcome an Ole Miss team playing for bowl eligibility. Mississippi State secures a good bowl game with their impressive season and hopes to keep Coach Dan Mullen from leaving to another school. – Daniel Anderson

Next Week: NONE

#22 Washington State Cougars

Record: 9-3 (6-3, 3rd in Pac-12 North)

Last Week: 14

All of the Cougars loses this season have come on the road, and all three were ultimately blowouts as well. In a game they needed for a spot in the PAC-12 Title game, Luke Falk throws three interceptions. Although the rest of his stat line (369 yards and 1 TD) reads well, it’s ultimately fraudulent In one fell swoop, Washington St loses a possible chance at New Year’s Six Bowl, the Apple Cup and a PAC-12 Title game, disappointing probably doesn’t cover it.. – Sean Garmer

Next Week: NONE

#23 Virginia Tech Hokies

Record: 9-3 (5-3, 2nd in ACC Coastal)

Last Week: NR

For the 14th straight time, the Commonwealth Cup stays in Blacksburg. It was a defensive battle to the very end, with Josh Jackson accounting for the lone touchdown of the game. His 19th TD pass of the season found Chris Cunningham early in the third quarter. To top that, Tech outgained the Cavaliers on the ground 202-5. In fact, UVA lost eight rushing yards in the first half. Great to build upon for a bowl game. – Erik Watkins

Next Week: NONE

#24 South Florida Bulls

Record: 9-2 (6-2, 2nd in American East)

Last Week: 19

What a heartbreaking way to lose a game that would have sent the South Florida Bulls into the AAC Championship game. However, with the performance Quinton Flowers put on in this one, USF shouldn’t feel too bad. Flowers absolutely dominated throwing for 503 yards and four touchdowns. Plus, he ran for over 100 yards on the ground and scored with his legs too. Certainly a big performance in a big game. USF should still get a nice bowl game to cap off this season. – Sean Garmer

Next Week: NONE

#25 Fresno State Bulldogs

Record: 9-3 (7-1, Mountain West West Winner)

Last Week: NR

In what amounted to an exhibition game between both teams, before the rematch next week in the Mountain West Championship game, the Fresno State Bulldogs prevailed. Thanks in large part to Marcus McMaryion who threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns, the final one went for 81 yards and sealed the win. Sean Garmer

Next Week: vs. Boise State (9-3) in Mountain West Championship Game

Others Receiving Votes for this week’s Top 25: Kansas State (3), Florida Atlantic (1), North Carolina State (1),

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