As the regular season in college football nears its conclusion, Danny Kanell has updated his top-dozen rankings, reflecting the significant changes that have occurred in the landscape of the sport. With two losses from previously top-five teams, the rankings have seen a major shakeup, with the Big Ten and SEC emerging as the dominant conferences in Kanell's assessment.

Reshuffling the Deck: Kanell's Latest College Football Rankings

Oregon Narrowly Escapes, Retains Top Spot

The Oregon Ducks, despite a close call against Wisconsin, have managed to maintain their position as the top-ranked team in the nation. Their 16-13 victory on the road in Madison was a testament to their resilience, as they overcame a late deficit to secure the win and remain undefeated at 10-0. This victory has all but clinched their spot in the Big Ten Championship, solidifying their standing as the premier team in the country.

Indiana Holds Steady at No. 2, Sets Sights on Ohio State

Indiana's Hoosiers have remained at the second spot in Kanell's rankings, despite having a bye week this past weekend. However, the team made headlines with the news of Curt Cignetti signing an eight-year extension to continue leading the program. This development sets the stage for a highly anticipated top-five matchup between Indiana and Ohio State, with significant implications for the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff (CFP) race.

Ohio State Climbs to No. 3 After Dominant Win Over Northwestern

The Ohio State Buckeyes have moved up to the third spot in Kanell's rankings following a convincing 31-7 victory over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. After a slow start, the Buckeyes scored 31 unanswered points, including two touchdowns each from Quinshon Judkins and Carnell Tate. This performance has set the stage for a highly anticipated clash between Ohio State and Indiana, with both teams vying for a spot in the Big Ten Championship and the CFP.

Penn State Jumps to No. 4, Eyeing Big Ten Title and CFP Berth

The Penn State Nittany Lions have made a significant jump, moving up two spots to claim the fourth position in Kanell's rankings. Their 49-10 victory over Purdue has propelled them to a 9-1 record, positioning them to potentially finish the season at 11-1 and earn a spot in the Big Ten Championship, if not the CFP as an at-large team.

Texas Rounds Out the Top Five, Secures Tie Atop SEC Standings

The Texas Longhorns have secured the fifth spot in Kanell's rankings following a 20-10 win over Arkansas in a rivalry game. Despite a late surge from the Razorbacks, the Longhorns were able to score again, force a fumble, and close out the game to move to 9-1 and earn a share of the top spot in the Southeastern Conference standings.

SMU Rises to No. 6 as ACC's Top Team

The SMU Mustangs have climbed two spots to become the top-ranked team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in Kanell's rankings. Their 38-28 victory over Boston College, their seventh consecutive win and sixth in conference play, has put them in a strong position to potentially earn a spot in the ACC Championship and the CFP in their debut season as part of the conference.

Miami Rebounds, Moves Up Three Spots to No. 7

Despite being idle this past week and coming off their first loss of the season, the Miami Hurricanes have actually moved up three spots in Kanell's rankings. Their 5-point loss to Georgia Tech a week ago has not significantly impacted their standing, and the Hurricanes still have two more games to position themselves for a spot in the ACC Championship and the CFP.

Notre Dame Continues Impressive Run, Climbs to No. 8

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have won their eighth consecutive game, this time with a 35-14 victory over Virginia. Over this stretch, the Irish have won by an average margin of 32.3 points, with both their offense and defense ranking among the best in the nation. This impressive run has helped make up for their earlier loss, and they now find themselves at No. 8 in Kanell's rankings with two games left to potentially secure a CFP berth.

Ole Miss Rebounds, Moves Up to No. 9

The Ole Miss Rebels have moved up two spots to No. 9 in Kanell's rankings after their bye week. Their 18-point upset win over Georgia last weekend has put them back in the playoff picture, and they now have a pair of conference matchups left to determine if they can secure an at-large spot in the CFP.

Alabama Regains Momentum, Climbs to No. 10

The Alabama Crimson Tide have trended upwards, moving up two spots to No. 10 in Kanell's rankings. After a shaky stretch in October, the Tide have regained their form, looking more like the top team they were in their first four games. This resurgence has put them back in the mix for the conference championship and a potential at-large spot in the CFP.

Georgia Bounces Back, Secures No. 11 Spot

The Georgia Bulldogs have saved their season with a 31-17 win over Tennessee in a top-12 matchup. The Bulldogs' defense posted a second-half shutout, and quarterback Carson Beck had his best game of the season, helping the team regain their footing in the conference and playoff race.

Tulane Rounds Out the Top Dozen

Rounding out Kanell's top-dozen rankings is the Tulane Green Wave, a Group of Five team that has impressed with their 9-2 record. After losing to top-20 opponents Kansas State and Oklahoma, the Green Wave have won eight straight games, including a 35-0 shutout over Navy, by an average of 28.5 points. This debut season under head coach Jon Sumrall has put Tulane in a position to potentially earn a spot as the next-up No. 12 seed in the CFP as a conference champion from the Group of Five.