Michigan State fell four spots from No. 3 to No. 7 in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings following the program’s first loss of the season last Saturday to Purdue.
In a surprise move, the committee dropped the Spartans behind in-state rival Michigan — even though Michigan State defeated the Wolverines head-to-head one week prior.
Georgia and Alabama remained Nos. 1 and 2, and Oregon, Ohio State and Cincinnati all moved up one spot with the Spartans’ fall.
At No. 5, Cincinnati made history for the second straight week as the highest CFP ranking ever attained by a program from a “Group of Five” conference.
Rounding out the top 10 behind Michigan and Michigan State were Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Oklahoma State. The 9-0 Sooners remained at No. 8 after last week’s open date.
Wake Forest also suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, a 58-55 shootout against North Carolina. The Demon Deacons dropped three places from No. 9 to No. 12.
Texas A&M, which defeated SEC West foe Auburn 20-3, moved up to No. 11. This week the Aggies will visit Ole Miss, which is ranked No. 15.
Purdue entered the rankings at No. 19 after beating Michigan State. It was the second such upset victory of the Boilermakers’ season; three weeks earlier, they beat Iowa, which was ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 at the time.
Texas-San Antonio (UTSA), one of four unbeatens left in the Football Bowl Subdivision, also earned a ranking this week after missing out a week ago. The 9-0 Roadrunners are No. 23 after beating UTEP 44-23.
Utah and Arkansas also entered the rankings at Nos. 24 and 25, respectively. Below is the complete Top 25:
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Oregon
4. Ohio State
5. Cincinnati
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State
8. Oklahoma
9. Notre Dame
10. Oklahoma State
11. Texas A&M
12. Wake Forest
13. Baylor
14. BYU
15. Ole Miss
16. North Carolina State
17. Auburn
18. Wisconsin
19. Purdue
20. Iowa
21. Pittsburgh
22. San Diego State
23. UTSA
24. Utah
25. Arkansas
