College football rankings for week 10 of the 2020 season have been released. Clemson (7-0) remains the top-ranked team, while Coastal Carolina (6-0) moved up in both polls.
Clemson defeated Boston College at home, 34-28, without the services of quarterback Trevor Lawrence due to him contracting COVID-19. The close win, coupled with a 41-0 Alabama victory over Mississippi State, resulted in the Tigers losing 19 first-place votes in the AP poll and nine first-place votes in the Coaches Poll.
Alabama (2), Ohio State (3), Notre Dame (4), and Georgia (5) round out the top five in both polls.
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, which crushed Georgia State 51-0 on Saturday, moved up five spots to No. 15 in the AP Poll and five spots to No. 16 in the Coaches Poll.
Kansas State and Penn State each dropped out of both polls, while North Carolina dropped out of the AP Poll following losses in Week 9.
Below are the full AP and FBS Coaches polls for Week 10 of the 2020 season (first-place votes in parentheses):
AP Poll – Week 10
1. Clemson (33)
2. Alabama (29)
3. Ohio State
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Cincinnati
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida
9. BYU
10. Wisconsin
11. Miami
12. Oregon
13. Indiana
14. Oklahoma State
15. Coastal Carolina
16. Marshall
17. Iowa State
18. SMU
19. Oklahoma
20. USC
21. Boise State
22. Texas
23. Michigan
24. Auburn
25. Liberty
Others receiving votes: Memphis 105, Liberty 85, Tulsa 80, Louisiana-Lafayette 50, Army 44, Auburn 41, Minnesota 40, Utah 36, Northwestern 20, Washington 15, Arkansas 15, Purdue 8, Arizona State 7, Appalachian State 6, California 4, Boston College 2, Texas 2, San Diego State 1
Dropped from rankings: North Carolina 15, Kansas State 16, Penn State 17
FBS Coaches Poll – Week 10
1. Clemson (43)
2. Alabama (17)
3. Ohio State (2)
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Cincinnati
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida
9. BYU
10. Miami
11. Wisconsin
12. Oklahoma State
13. Indiana
14. Oregon
15. Marshall
16. Coastal Carolina
17. Iowa State
18. SMU
19. Oklahoma
20. USC
21. Auburn
22. Army
23. Boise State
24. North Carolina
25. Michigan
Others receiving votes: Texas 115, Northwestern 112, Liberty 92, Louisiana 90, Kansas State 64, Utah 57, Penn State 56, Purdue 55, West Virginia 49, Virginia Tech 37, Appalachian State 32, Tulsa 29, Missouri 23, Boston College 20, NC State 16, Kentucky 13, Memphis 12, Wake Forest 11, Arizona State 11, Tennessee 11, California 9, Michigan State 9, Arkansas 8, South Carolina 8, Nevada 3, UCF 1, San Diego State 1
Dropped from rankings: Kansas State 16, Penn State 17
Based on the current rankings, here are my pairings for the two CFP semifinals this week. Please note that I never put two teams from the same conference in the playoffs for both accountability and fairness.
Rose Bowl Game (first semifinal): #1 Clemson vs. #4 (currently #6) Cincinnati
Sugar Bowl (second semifinal): #2 Alabama vs. #3 Ohio State
I wonder what the playoff committee will think of Cincy. They’ve really blown everyone out but without a P5 win will they put them in the top 10? Of course, that’s not Cincy’s fault since none of the P5 conferences are playing out of conference.
I could see ND or Georgia getting in too. If ND beats Clemson next week without TL win out then lose to Clemson in ACC Title game. I can’t see the committee leaving them out.
Same with Georgia if they win out and beat Bama (big if) in the SEC champ game.
Some big games this weekend with Clemson @ ND and Florida @ Georgia.
Oregon could be a dark horse too but what will the committee think of them playing less games than everyone else.
Clemson as the number one would pick the Sugar due to proximity to South Carolina
Do you think that Clemson will still be #1 after their game against Norte Dame (without Trevor Lawrence)? Honest question. Their #1 ranking looks a little unsteady without their #1 quarterback.