Mississippi State didn't seal its victory over Arkansas until the final few seconds Saturday night, but it strengthened its hold on the No. 1 ranking in the College Football 247 Top 25 Power Rankings.
The Bulldogs, who were No. 1 when the College Football Playoff selection committee released its first top 25 rankings on Tuesday, received six first-place votes, two more than last week, from the CFB 24/7 panel. Florida State, which received the other first-place vote, remained in second place. Auburn, which won at Ole Miss, and Oregon, which won at home against Stanford, each moved up a spot, to third and fourth, respectively, while idle Alabama dropped from third to fifth, giving the SEC West three of the top five teams.
The teams ranked third through 12th all have one loss, and six of them get together next weekend. No. 6 TCU plays host to No. 8 Kansas State, No. 12 Ohio State plays at No. 7 Michigan State, and No. 9 Notre Dame visits No. 10 Arizona State.
1. Mississippi State
Points: 173 (6 first-place votes)
W-L: 8-0
Previous ranking: 1
The skinny: Dak Prescott struggled at times Saturday night, and the Bulldogs looked eminently beatable when he did. But then he turned it on, and the Bulldogs escaped with a win>.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. UT-Martin; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Vanderbilt; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Ole Miss
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Alabama, Ole Miss)
2. Florida State
Points: 170 (1 first-place vote)
W-L: 8-0
Previous ranking: 2
The skinny: FSU looked horrible for most of the first half Thursday night. But Jameis Winston and the offense got on track in the second half and torched Louisville, which came in leading the nation in total defense.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Miami (Fla.); Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Florida
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
3. Auburn
Points: 160
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 4
The skinny: The defense bent (a lot) but didn't break in the fourth quarter, and the Tigers were able to fend off Mississippi for a huge win. And as for offensive balance, the Tigers ran for 253 yards and passed for 254.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Texas A&M; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Georgia; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Samford; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Alabama
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Georgia, Alabama)
4. Oregon
Points: 151
W-L: 8-1
Previous ranking: 5
Skinny The Ducks got the Stanford monkey off their back, thanks to a dominant second-half performance.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Utah; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Oregon State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Utah)
5. Alabama
Points: 146
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 3
The skinny: The Tide was off this weekend, getting ready for a trip to LSU. That's the final road game of the season for Alabama.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at LSU; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Mississippi State; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Western Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Auburn
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn)
6. TCU
Points: 136
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 8
Skinny: It certainly wasn't an elegant win over West Virginia, but Gary Patterson certainly will take it. This week's game with Kansas State very well could determine the Big 12 title.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs Kansas State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Kansas; Thursday, Nov. 27 -- at Texas; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Iowa State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Kansas State)
7. Michigan State
Points: 135
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 7
The skinny: The Spartans had the weekend off to prepare for the biggest Big Ten game of the season: next week's visit from Ohio State.
Remaining schedule:Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Ohio State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Maryland; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Penn State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Ohio State)
8. Kansas State
Points: 121
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 11
The skinny: K-State hammered Oklahoma State and now must visit TCU. The Wildcats are the only unbeaten team in Big 12 play, and a win in Fort Worth would make them the Big 12 team most likely to make the playoff.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at TCU; Thursday, Nov. 20 -- at West Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- at Baylor
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (TCU, West Virginia, Baylor)
9. Notre Dame
Points: 120
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 6
The skinny: The Irish had problems with Navy's rushing attack but still won by 10. Next week's trip to Arizona State is huge.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Northwestern; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Louisville; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at USC
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Arizona State)
10. Arizona State
Points: 108
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 12
The skinny: The Sun Devils lead the Pac-12 South, thanks to their OT victory over Utah. Next up: A visit from Notre Dame next Saturday.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Notre Dame; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Oregon State; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Washington State; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Arizona
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Notre Dame, Arizona)
11. Baylor
Points: 104
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: T-13
The skinny: The Bears eviscerated Kansas this weekend, but have a far tougher test next week, when they visit Oklahoma.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Oklahoma; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Oklahoma State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Texas Tech; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Kansas State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State)
12. Ohio State
Points: 94
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: T-13
The skinny: The Buckeyes have scored at least 50 points and rolled up at least 500 yards in five of their past six games. But they're not likely to be that productive when they play at Michigan State next week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Michigan State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Minnesota; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Indiana; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Michigan
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Michigan State)
13. Ole Miss
Points: 92
W-L: 7-2
Previous ranking: 9
The skinny: The Rebels have suffered back-to-back losses in excruciating fashion. While they are out of the playoff chase, they still can play a big role in who potentially gets a bid because they meet Mississippi State in the regular-season finale.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Presbyterian; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Mississippi State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Mississippi State)
14. Nebraska
Points: 84
W-L: 8-1
Previous ranking: 19
The skinny: The Huskers rolled past Purdue without Ameer Abdullah. But they'd better hope his injury isn't serious because they can't beat Wisconsin -- their next opponent -- without him. One positive: Nebraska is off next weekend.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Wisconsin; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Minnesota; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Iowa
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Wisconsin)
15. Oklahoma
Points: 78
W-L: 6-2
Previous ranking: T-16
The skinny: The Sooners still have a shot at a playoff-affiliated bowl, but they have to beat Baylor next weekend to keep that dream alive.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Baylor; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Texas Tech; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Oklahoma State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Baylor, Oklahoma State)
16. LSU
Points: 77
W-L: 7-2
Previous ranking: T-16
The skinny: So, has LSU officially turned the corner this season? The win over Ole Miss was impressive, but a victory over Alabama next week would be even more impressive.
Remaining schedule: Nov. 8 -- vs. Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Arkansas; Thursday, Nov. 27 -- at Texas A&M
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Alabama)
17. Georgia
Points: 52
W-L: 6-2
Previous ranking: 10
The skinny: The Bulldogs' hopes for the SEC East title took a massive body blow from Florida, which ran at will on the Bulldogs.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Kentucky; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Charleston Southern; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Georgia Tech
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Auburn)
18. UCLA
Points: 45
W-L: 7-2
Previous ranking: 24
The skinny: Who knew the Bruins could play defense? And Brett Hundley's 131 rushing yards against Arizona were impressive, too.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Washington; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. USC; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Stanford
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
19. Arizona
Points: 44
W-L: 6-2
Previous ranking: 15
The skinny: The offense surprisingly was shut down by UCLA, wasting a surprisingly solid defensive effort.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Washington; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Utah; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Arizona State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Utah, Arizona State)
20. Duke
Points: 37
W-L: 7-1
Previous ranking: 23
The skinny: The Blue Devils, who were off this weekend, lead the ACC Coastal Division. And when you look at the remaining schedule, it's not a stretch to think they could win their final five regular-season games.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Syracuse; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Virginia Tech; Thursday, Nov. 20 -- vs. North Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Wake Forest
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
21. Clemson
Points: 36
W-L: 6-2
Previous ranking: 22
The skinny: The Tigers were off this week and play Wake Forest on Thursday. Truthfully, that's about the same as being off.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Nov. 6 -- at Wake Forest; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Georgia Tech; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Georgia State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. South Carolina
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
22. Utah
Points: 32
W-L: 6-2
Previous ranking: 18
The skinny: Utah's lack of a passing attack really hurt in the OT loss to Arizona State. On the other hand, the Utes can run the ball and defend, and they will provide a test for Oregon next week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Oregon; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Stanford; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Arizona; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Colorado
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Oregon, Arizona)
23. West Virginia
Points: 24
W-L: 6-3
Previous ranking: 20
The skinny: Close but no cigars: WVU has lost to Alabama, Oklahoma and TCU by a combined 23 points.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Texas; Thursday, Nov. 20 -- vs. Kansas State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Iowa State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Kansas State)
24. Marshall
Points: 12
W-L: 8-0
Previous ranking: 25
The skinny: The Herd were off this weekend, and East Carolina's loss to Temple puts them squarely in the hunt for the automatic berth in a playoff-affiliated bowl that goes to the best non-Power Five team.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Southern Miss; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Rice; Nov. 22 -- at UAB; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Western Kentucky
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
25. Wisconsin
The skinny: The Badgers have one more tune-up (next week's game with Purdue) before a tough closing stretch that features games with Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota.
2014 schedule: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Purdue; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Nebraska; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Iowa; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Minnesota
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Nebraska)
Others receiving votes:
Colorado State 9, Missouri 8, Louisville 6, USC 6, Miami (Fla.) 5, Georgia Tech 3
Voters in the College Football 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings include: NFL Media analysts Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah, and College Football 24/7 writers Bryan Fischer, Chase Goodbread and Mike Huguenin.
Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter _@NFLCFB_.
