College Football Playoff rankings: Iowa stays in, Iowa State moves up

Iowa's stay in the traditional Associated Press and coaches polls ended this week, but the College Football Playoff committe still has the Hawkeyes ranked.

Iowa (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) dropped from No. 16 to No. 21 after last Saturday's 38-36 loss to Purdue, their second straight.

Iowa hosts Northwestern, a 5-4 team that is not ranked yet leading the Big Ten West, this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (Fox).

It's clear Iowa's win over Iowa State (5-3, 4-2 Big 12) carries some weight, as the Cyclones inched up two spots to No. 22 after their fourth straight win, 27-3 at Kansas.

The Cyclones welcome Baylor to Jack Trice Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff (FS1) this Saturday.

Alabama (9-0) is still an obvious choice at No. 1 after shutting out then-No. 3 LSU, 29-0, last week. The Crimson Tide are followed by fellow unbeatens Clemson and Notre Dame and 8-1 Michigan in the top four, the only rankings that really matter at the end of the season.

Other Big Ten teams ranked include No. 10 Ohio State, No. 18 Michigan State and No. 20 Penn State.

In the Big 12, Oklahoma is No. 6, followed by ninth-ranked West Virginia and No. 19 Texas.

College Football Playoff rankings — Nov. 6, 2018

1. Alabama (9-0)

2. Clemson (9-0)

3. Notre Dame (9-0)

4. Michigan (8-1)

5. Georgia (8-1)

6. Oklahoma (8-1)

7. Louisiana State (7-2)

8. Washington State (8-1)

9. West Virginia (7-1)

10. Ohio State (8-1)

11. Kentucky (7-2)

12. Central Florida (8-0)

13. Syracuse (7-2)

14. North Carolina State (6-2)

15. Florida (6-3)

16. Mississippi State (6-3)

17. Boston College (7-2)

18. Michigan State (6-3)

19. Texas (6-3)

20. Penn State (6-3)

21. Iowa (6-3)

22. Iowa State (5-3)

23. Fresno State (8-1)

24. Auburn (6-3)

25. Washington (7-3)