Auburn returned a last-second missed field goal for a 100-yard touchdown to topple No. 1 Alabama and take a wrecking ball to the rankings.
Florida State is undoubtedly the No. 1 team in the nation and will get a spot in the BCS championship game if it beats Duke for the ACC title this week. There will be a lot of debate for the No. 2 spot.
The central question is this: Does an undefeated Ohio State team deserve it more than one-loss heavyweights Auburn, Missouri and Alabama? The only ranked opponents the Buckeyes faced were Northwestern and Wisconsin. Northwestern failed to reach bowl eligibility; Wisconsin is 9-3.
Auburn, for example, beat four of the five ranked teams on its schedule and could add another huge win Saturday if it defeats Missouri
The field for the No. 2 spot will narrow this week. Missouri and Auburn square off in the SEC title game, eliminating one of the two from contention. Ohio State also faces a huge challenge in the Big Ten championship game against Michigan State, which plays better defense than anyone in the nation.
Here is how The Palm Beach Post’s Jason Lieser ranks the Top 25 after Week 14:
1. Florida State (12-0)
Even on a bad day, the Seminoles were good enough to pummel Florida by 30 points.
2. Auburn (11-1)
An incredible upset over Alabama capped an incredible regular season for the Tigers. After going 0-8 in the SEC a year ago, they are on the cusp of winning the conference.
3. Alabama (11-1)
Yes, the Crimson Tide lost. However, it was on the road on a last-second field goal against one of the best teams in the country. One fluky play does not change the fact that Alabama is better than Ohio State.
4. Ohio State (12-0)
The Buckeyes edged Michigan, winning 42-41 when the Wolverines failed to convert a two-point conversion at the end.
5. Missouri (11-1)
A victory over Auburn this week would give Mizzou a stunning seven-win improvement from 2012 to 2013.
6. Oklahoma State (10-1)
The Cowboys can further their argument for a place in the national title game by beating Oklahoma this week. At worst, they should land in the Fiesta Bowl.
7. Michigan State (11-1)
Only two teams scored more than 17 points in a game against the Spartans this year. They get Ohio State next.
8. South Carolina (10-2)
It has been an up-and-down year for the Gamecocks, but they started and ended the regular season in the top eight.
9. Stanford (10-2)
As good as the Cardinal have been, they still need to win on the road against Arizona State to capture the Pac-12 title.
10. Clemson (10-2)
The Tigers’ only losses were to Florida State and South Carolina. Expect them to be trouble for someone in the Orange Bowl.
11. Baylor (10-1)
12. Oklahoma (9-2)
13. Arizona State (10-2)
14. Central Florida (10-1)
15. Louisville (10-1)
16. LSU (9-3)
17. Oregon (10-2)
18. Northern Illinois (12-0)
19. UCLA (9-3)
20. Duke (10-2)
21. Texas A&M (8-4)
22. Miami (9-3)
23. Wisconsin (9-3)
24. Georgia (8-4)
25. Texas (8-3)
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