College football is a year away from the four-team playoff, but it is in full elimination mode right now.
If any of the top three teams — Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State — lose this week or in next week’s conference championship games, they are out of the national championship picture. If two of them go down, teams like Auburn, Clemson, Missouri and Oklahoma State have a shot to get in.
Here is how The Palm Beach Post’s Jason Lieser ranks the Top 25 after Week 13:
1. Alabama (11-0)
Despite being the clear No. 1 team in the nation, the Crimson Tide faces the toughest road of the top three. It plays Auburn this week and, if it beats the Tigers, will get Missouri or South Carolina the following week in the SEC title game.
2. Florida State (11-0)
The Seminoles scored 80 points against Idaho last week. Can they get that many at Florida on Saturday?
3. Ohio State (11-0)
The Buckeyes’ best hope is that Alabama or Florida State will somehow lose. Otherwise, there is no way for Ohio State to win its way into the national championship game.
4. Auburn (10-1)
Even if the Tigers do not upset No. 1 Alabama this week, they should do no worse than the Sugar Bowl.
5. Clemson (10-1)
The Tigers have scored 40 or more points in each of their past four games.
6. Missouri (10-1)
With a win over Texas A&M, Mizzou would clinch the SEC Eastern Division for the first time and get a shot at Alabama or Auburn in the conference title game.
7. Oklahoma State (10-1)
The Cowboys debunked Baylor’s mythology with a 49-17 win and put themselves firmly in contention for a BCS bowl.
8. Michigan State (10-1)
The Spartans have the No. 1 defense in the nation and present a real threat to Ohio State.
9. Louisville (10-1)
The Cardinals have played a pitiful schedule but seem capable of matching up with most of the country’s elite teams.
10. Baylor (9-1)
The Bears had a season-low 17 points and their second-lowest yardage (453) of the season in their loss to Oklahoma State.
11. Stanford (9-2)
12. LSU (8-3)
13. Oklahoma (9-2)
14. Oregon (9-2)
15. South Carolina (9-2)
16. Arizona State (9-2)
17. Texas A&M (8-3)
18. Northern Illinois (11-0)
19. Wisconsin (9-2)
20. UCLA (8-3)
21. Fresno State (10-0)
22. Duke (9-2)
23. Central Florida (9-1)
24. Southern Cal (9-3)
25. Miami (8-3)
