OTF Premium My Top 10 Entering Week 12 | Monday AM

[CJ Vogel]

It's a top 10 matchup in Athens, Georgia on Saturday. A great opportunity for Texas to cause a real stir in the CFP picture while also immediately boosting their playoff resume.

While many would argue that the current rankings don't matter – and I would agree with them – that would defeat the purpose of watercooler talk that makes this sport as enjoyable as any during the midweek.

Here is how I view the top ten teams in the country entering week 12.

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No. 1 Ohio State (9–0)

The team with the fewest flaws in the country is very clearly Ohio State. I don't think it is far-fetched to say this team is better than the team a year ago who won the National Title. Overwhelmingly my title favorite.

 

No. 2 Indiana (10–0)

A scare in Happy Valley ended up being a rallying cry for Heismendoza ticket holders everywhere. Indiana pummels inferior opposition, something that should not be overlooked. But a team like Penn State should be a warning sign for why Indiana's Title run will fall short. 

 

No. 3 Texas A&M (9–0)

Credit to A&M, they have won every game they have played this season. They have ended coaching tenures and look to be breaking the mold of their annual 8–4 run. Still, there are some flaws here. The key to beating Texas A&M is forcing Marcel Reed to read a defense. Against Missouri, only 3 of Reed's 26 pass attempts were beyond 10 yards downfield. It's clear Collin Klein wants to keep everything short and let the most dynamic WR duo work after the catch.

 

No. 4 Alabama (8–1)

Alabama is the best team in the SEC for my money's worth, the loss on the sheet obviously negates their ability to jump A&M in the rankings. Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in the conference as well. If there was a concern here, it would be the run game – Alabama doesn't have one.

 

No. 5 Texas Tech (9–1)

Hear me out. Tech has the most productive front seven in all of college football with an edge rushing combo that is in the conversation for being the best in the country and a linebacker who is rightfully receiving some Heisman noise. The lone loss came on the road with 0:25 left after starting a backup quarterback.

 

No. 6 Georgia (8–1)

The Georgia Bulldogs' identity has shifted rather drastically in 2025. A defense that relies on bending rather than enforcing their will and an offense that is as efficient as anyone in the SEC. Kirby Smart will have some tricks up his sleeve for the Longhorns this weekend, but altogether this is a Georgia team who doesn't mirror those trophy winners of the previous six years.

 

No. 7 Ole Miss (9–1)

A tough spot for Ole Miss, because their record and resume probably outweighs the 7th position in the rankings, but that is where things stand when there is a head to head loss to Georgia. Ole Miss plays with its food more than any of the teams ranked ahead of them at the moment, wirtg monitoring with Florida and the Egg Bowl remaning.

 

No. 8 Oregon (8–1)

Man, Kinnick Stadium almost claimed another victim on Saturday night. Oregon left a nasty, gross, miserable evening in Iowa with a win after some absolutely dialed throws from Dante Moore to get into field goal range late. 

 

No. 9 Notre Dame (7–2)

Notre Dame gets the nod over Texas for me for the highest 2-loss team in the country. After two losses by a combined four points in the first two weeks of the season, Notre Dame has won seven straight and boasts one of the most explosive running games in the country. I am using a bit of the eye test with Notre Dame here as well – they have allowed 14 points or more just one since week 3.

 

No. 10 Texas (7–2)

And alas, Texas. What a rollercoaster it has been for the Longhorns, from the preseason No. 1 to being unranked and having questions about the quarterback and playcaller needing to be addressed. But back in the top ten and right in the hunt for a Playoff spot. Offensively, the Longhorns are playing their best ball of the season and should be returning two major starters in the back end of the secondary ahead of the Georgia contest this weekend.

[CJ Vogel]

 

[TexasMDcoach]

Tech ahead of Georgia, I think not.  Otherwise agree with your rankings. 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I am not buying Tech. They will be exposed in the playoffs. The Big 12 is terrible. 

[CJ Vogel]

No. 24 Pitt hosts No. 10 Notre Dame this weekend. 

No. 12 Oklahoma heads to No. 4 Alabama as well.

Two really notable games, but of course, basically all moot if Texas doesn't return from Athens with a win. 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Pretty damn masterful job for sark and staff so far with all of the fire this coach, this player sucks, those two years were nice while they last and  7-5 at best we heard earlier in the season. They definitely need to get over the kirby hump and humble the aggies once again for it to be a perfect turnaround to me. 

[CJ Vogel]

Just now, TexasMDcoach said:

Tech ahead of Georgia, I think not.  Otherwise agree with your rankings. 

They are legit. NFL talent all over that defensive front. 

[Joe Zura]

Must hurt your sooner heart not having them in your top 10 right CJ Mateer?

[CJ Vogel]

14 minutes ago, Joe Zura said:

Must hurt your sooner heart not having them in your top 10 right CJ Mateer?

It’s heartbre— handbreakingly painful. 

[LonghornLegends]

24 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

They are legit. NFL talent all over that defensive front. 

I think they’ll go to the playoffs because the little 12 is that bad, and when they do I think they’ll get exposed. Definitely not a true NC contender in my eyes.

[alrightalrightalright]

Going to be a thrilling final three weeks. 

[CJ Vogel]

Just now, alrightalrightalright said:

Going to be a thrilling final three weeks. 

That we can all agree with. 

[Joe Zura]

2 minutes ago, alrightalrightalright said:

Going to be a thrilling final three weeks. 

Idk if my mental is ready for it lol

[Thorn007]

We're something like 37-1 vs opponents other than wash, geo, ohio st. the last few years. but 0-6 vs those 3 teams. We need a good start on the road vs geo. Dial up some plays steve

[Thorn007]

7 minutes ago, Thorn007 said:

We're something like 37-1 vs opponents other than wash, geo, ohio st. the last few years. but 0-6 vs those 3 teams. We need a good start on the road vs geo. Dial up some plays steve

make that 34-2 vs teams not named wash geo ohio st. 0-6 vs those 3

[CJ Vogel]

1 hour ago, Thorn007 said:

We're something like 37-1 vs opponents other than wash, geo, ohio st. the last few years. but 0-6 vs those 3 teams. We need a good start on the road vs geo. Dial up some plays steve

Going to need to be a masterful performance from Sark.

[Alex Butler]

I disagree with ND. Yes, credit playing a couple of touch games early in the season. But the rest of their schedule is laughable including USC. This is negated if they join a conference, until then I just can’t abide them and their entitlement. 

[ArizonaLonghorn]

Interesting stat ... only two teams in the Top 10 have lost a game to a team with a losing record.

Alabama lost to Florida State (4-5) and Texas lost to Florida (3-6).

Put another way we have arguably the worst loss of all the Top 10 teams.  So no complaining about our ranking or chances for the CFP please.  We still have a chance, let's take it.

[4thandFive]

Time for Sark to take down a Top 10 opponent. Time for Texas to break Georgia’s spell. Time for Texas to solidify their place in the CFP. HookEm 

 

Thank God for today (Psalm 118:24).

Edited 49 minutes ago by 4thandFive

[jhookem91]

5 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

They are legit. NFL talent all over that defensive front. 

I agree among the starters, but they don't have the DL depth (especially with one of their top IDL's being out for the year) that top teams in the SEC and Big 10 have.  I think their lack of depth will be exposed in the playoffs, and their offense is not very good.

[jhookem91]

With that being said, I still wish we had Lee Hunter.  He's really good.