USC is in the top four of the College Rugby Qualifier rankings.
The Trojans’ victory over Notre Dame and Michigan’s victory over Ohio State pushed USC up two places and into the top 4 in the season’s penultimate standings. If USC defeats Utah in the Pac-12 title game Friday night, the Trojans will enter the College Football Qualifiers.
Georgia remains in 1st while Michigan moves up to 2nd and TCU moves up to 3rd. The Buckeyes are in 5th ahead of Alabama in 6th and are poised to potentially make it to the knockouts. into the final week of the season despite missing out on the Big Ten title game if TCU or USC lose.
The top four teams in the standings Tuesday night ahead of the final weekend of championships were not surprising. All four teams in the top four have priority in their title matches and will win the playoffs.
Ohio State lost to Michigan by 22 on Saturday and will have to stay out. That loss could keep Ohio State out of the top four if USC or TCU loses a close game. Utah was placed in 11th place and Kansas State in 10th place. The committee showed Tuesday night that they appreciate both of their opponents.
Tennessee is in 7th place and is in line for a spot in the New Year’s Six Bowl ahead of Penn State and Clemson. The Tigers did not drop out of the top 10 despite losing to South Carolina on Saturday and playing in 23rd North Carolina for the ACC title. The winner of that game goes to the Orange Bowl.
The final group of the knockout round standings will be revealed on Sunday at Noon ET. Those rankings will determine the knockout stage and the participants in the Cotton, Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowls. The rest of the stalemate matches will be announced in the hours after the New Year’s Six is revealed.
College Football Playoff Rankings
1. Georgia (12-0)
2. Michigan (12-0)
3. TCU (12-0)
4. USC (11-1)
5. Ohio State (11-1)
6. Alabama (10-2)
7. Tennessee (10-2)
8. Penn State (February 10)
9. Clemson (10-2)
10. Kansas (9-3)
11. Utah (9-3)
12. Washington (10-2)
13. Florida State (9-3)
14. LSU (9-3)
15. Oregon (9-3)
16. Oregon (9-3)
17. UCLA (9-3)
18. Tulan (10-2)
19. South Carolina (8-4)
20. Texas (8-4)
21. Notre-Dame Cathedral (April 8)
22. UCF (9-3)
23. North Carolina (9-3)
24. Mississippi State (8-4)
25. NC State (8-4)
