College Football Playoff rankings: Iowa drops out, Iowa State moves up

Iowa's stay in the College Football Playoff rankings has ended.

The Hawkeyes (6-4) were No. 16 in the first CFP rankings of the season two weeks ago, but have lost three straight games - including Saturday's 14-10 home defeat to Northwestern - and are no longer in the committee's top 25.

Iowa State (6-3), on the other hand, continues its climb with a big leap.

The Cyclones moved from No. 22 to No. 16 after Saturday's 28-14 win over Baylor, their fourth straight.

No. 15 Texas (7-3) hosts Iowa State this Saturday with the winner staying in the hunt for a spot in the Big 12 championship game. No. 6 Oklahoma (9-1) and No. 9 West Virginia (8-1) are the conference's co-leaders, one game ahead of the Cyclones and Longhorns.

Unsurprisingly, there were no changes to the top 10 after a week of few noteworthy upsets. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Michigan remain Nos. 1-4, the only rankings that matter for playoff purposes at the end of the regular season.

Northwestern (6-4), which clinched the Big Ten West with its win at Iowa, entered the rankings at No. 22. Also in the Big Ten, Ohio State (9-1) remains No. 10 and Penn State (7-3) jumped up six spots to No. 14.

College Football Playoff rankings: Nov. 13, 2018

1. Alabama (10-0)

2. Clemson (10-0)

3. Notre Dame (10-0)

4. Michigan (9-1)

5. Georgia (9-1)

6. Oklahoma (9-1)

7. Louisiana State (8-2)

8. Washington State (9-1)

9. West Virginia (8-1)

10. Ohio State (9-1)

11. Central Florida (9-0)

12. Syracuse (8-2)

13. Florida (7-3)

14. Penn State (7-3)

15. Texas (7-3)

16. Iowa State (6-3)

17. Kentucky (7-3)

18. Washington (7-3)

19. Utah (7-3)

20. Boston College (7-3)

21. Mississippi State (6-4)

22. Northwestern (6-4)

23. Utah State (9-1)

24. Cincinnati (9-1)

25. Boise State (8-2)