Each week we get more clarity as to where teams stand, including the real contenders for the College Football Playoff.
There are still 9 Power Conference teams with one or less loss that have a chance to reach the CFP and we will see things clear up the last couple of weeks of the season.
Take a look and see where your team stands in this week’s Top 5 Rankings.
Scroll to the bottom to see how Rivalry Sports did on their picks for the Week 9 games and to see a summary of this week’s picks!
Win/Loss Records of the picks for Week 11:
| Picker | Rivalry Sports – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker |
| Win – Loss Record Week 11 | 15 – 4 | 14 – 5 |
| Overall Won/Loss Record on Picks (starting in Week 5 for Dustin, week 6 for guest pickers) | 95 – 35 | 78 – 34 |
Guest Picker Won/Loss Records
| Guest Picker | Week | Won/Loss Record on Picks | Winning Percentage |
| Stephanie Kirby | 6 | 11 – 7 | 61.11% |
| Lance Kirby | 7 | 12 – 8 | 60.00% |
| Brandon Kirby | 8 | 11 – 5 | 68.75% |
| Nolan Kirby | 9 | 12 – 6 | 66.7% |
| Richard Strick | 10 | 18 – 3 | 85.71 |
| Bob Kirby | 11 | 14 – 5 | 73.68% |
| Stephanie Kirby | 12 |
RIVALRY SPORTS LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK
| Week | Rivalry Sports Game Score Pick | Actual Result |
| 6 | Notre Dame over Louisville | Louisville Over Notre Dame 33 – 20 |
| 7 | Utah over California 24 – 10 | Utah over California 34 – 14 |
| 8 | Michigan over Michigan State 38 – 17 | Michigan over Michigan State 49 – 0 |
| 9 | Penn State over Indiana 38 – 10 | Penn State over Indiana 33 – 24 |
| 10 | Michigan over Purdue 45 – 17 | Michigan over Purdue 41 – 13 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State over UCF 27 – 20 | UCF over Oklahoma State 45 – 3 |
| 12 | Ole Miss over Louisiana Monroe 34 – 20 |
Check out last week’s Top 5 Rankings
College football never disappoints, and this year is no exception. Let’s check in with the Weekly Rivalry Sports Top 5 for each Power Conference.
SEC TOP FIVE
The SEC Championship is set with Georgia set to square off with Alabama in three weeks! Although only two teams can meet in the SEC Championship, many other teams in the SEC have proven to be tough this year.
Missouri has surprised many people this year and they are still playing strong. The fight for the Top 5 in the SEC will continue through the rest of the season.
1. GEORGIA (10 – 0) AP Ranking – #1
Georgia proved that they are not only a serious threat to three peat, but they are legitimately the number one team in the nation.
Georgia will have another tough test when they travel to Neyland Stadium this Saturday to take on Tennessee, but they can know that they have already clinched a spot in the SEC Championship game.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 1
Week 12 Opponent: @ Tennessee at 3:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. ALABAMA (9 – 1) AP Ranking – #8
Another dominant win by the Tide over Kentucky this past weekend. Since Alabama’s loss to Texas in their second game they are undefeated and QB Jalen Milroe seems to get better each week.
Alabama is now guaranteed a spot in the SEC Championship game and is hoping for more. If the Tide can win out they have a shot at a spot in the CFP!
Last Week SEC Ranking: 2
Week 12 Opponent: University of Tennessee-Chattanooga at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. OLE MISS (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #13
The Rebels had a huge letdown by getting dominated to the tune of a 52 – 17 loss to Georgia this past weekend.
It was a disappointing outcome, but the only two losses this year for Ole Miss have both come on the road to first Alabama and then Georgia and there is no shame in either of those losses.
Lane Kiffin has made the Rebels relevant again and they have a chance for another 10 win season and then even more next year with this young team.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 3
Week 12 Opponent: University Louisiana-Monroe at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Missouri (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #11
I have underestimated Missouri throughout the year, but they proved last week with a 36 – 7 dominating win over Tennessee that they are for real!
QB Brady Cook is a fighter and RB Cody Schrader has shown that Mizzou is not just a passing team by going over 100 yards rushing in 4 out of the last 5 games.
This week they have another tough test when they play Florida, but if the Tigers can stay focused they could show that they are a top 10 team.
Last Week SEC Ranking: Unranked
Week 12 Opponent: Florida at 7:30 PM EDT, Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. LSU (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #15
LSU is a supremely talented offensive team that has been held back from being a CFP contender by an underachieving defense.
QB Jayden Daniels might be the best player in college football and should be in contention for the Heisman trophy!
The Tigers need to stay focused and finish strong and with their Bowl game they have a chance at a 10 win season.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 4
Week 12 Opponent: Georgia State at 8:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from SEC Top 5 Rankings:
Tennessee (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #21
Last Week SEC Ranking: 4
Big Ten TOP FIVE
We all know of the accusations that have been following Michigan football the last few weeks and this week on Friday afternoon less than 24 hrs before kickoff, the Big Ten suspended Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for the remainder of the regular season.
That may have impacted the final score of the showdown between top ten teams Michigan and Penn State, but it didn’t seem to impact the final outcome as Michigan won 24 – 15 without their head coach.
There are still a couple of games to be played in the regular season, but the Big Ten East looks like it will come down to old foes Michigan and Ohio State who meet in week 13. This will make this year’s edition of “The Game” one of the most important if both teams are still undefeated.
In the Big Ten West Iowa controls their fortunes and if they win out they will be in the Big Ten Championship game.
1. MICHIGAN (10 – 0) AP Ranking – #2
Barring a court order, Michigan will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh for the rest of the season. That could come back to bite the Wolverines, but Michigan passed the first test without Harbaugh by beating Penn State 24 – 15 in Week 11.
This week Michigan plays a Maryland team that has struggled since October and should win again if their leaders can keep the team focused.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 1
Week 12 Opponent: @ Maryland at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. OHIO STATE (10 – 0) AP Ranking – #3
The Buckeyes dominated a weak Michigan State team this past weekend and are getting better each week.
Ohio State must stay focused on this week’s game against Minnesota, but they are on schedule to once again meet up with their rival Michigan on November 25th in a game that should decide who wins the Big Ten East!
Last Week B1G Ranking: 2
Week 12 Opponent: Minnesota at 4:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. PENN STATE (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #12
Penn State suffered another loss to a top 10 team, but this one hurts more than most. Michigan has been distracted by an illegal scouting allegation and their head coach was suspended from coaching less than 24 hours before the game.
With all of that Penn State had their best chance in years in beating a top 10 team and had no excuses, but they still went out and lost a game that was controlled by Michigan. Coach James Franklin has a lot of talent on the Nittany Lions, but fans are sick of a 2nd tier team on the field.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 3
Week 12 Opponent: Rutgers at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Iowa (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #Unranked
Iowa keeps the same old story each season: play great defense and special teams and do just enough on offense.
This recipe might be boring to some, but you look up at the record and this team is a consistent top 25 team that is in control of their future in regards to making the Big Ten Championship game.
They will take on a tough and surging Illinois team this coming week so the Hawkeyes will need to stay focused in order to win that game.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 4
Week 12 Opponent: Illinois at 3:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Rutgers (6 – 4) AP Ranking – Unranked
Rutgers has looked much improved this week, but they suffered an embarrassing loss to Iowa last weekend when the Hawkeyes shut them out and held them to 127 TOTAL yards!
Rutgers is already Bowl eligible, but they want more. In order to get any more wins this year they will have to beat a tough Penn State team or a talented and desperate Maryland team.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 5
Week 12 Opponent: @ Penn State at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Dropped from Big 10 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as last week
PAC-12 TOP FIVE
The Pac-12 has been the deepest Conference for the entire year and this powerful conference is shaping up for an exciting finish!
If Washington and Oregon win out they should have a rematch in the Pac-12 Championship game with the winner having a great chance of making the CFP!
1. WASHINGTON (10 – 0) AP Ranking – #5
Washington survived a tough game against the always tough Utah Utes this past weekend.
That keeps them on track to be in the Pac-12 Championship, but they need to stay focused as they have a very tough game on the road against Oregon State this weekend.
If QB Michael Penix can continue to lead Washington’s prolific offense and the defense stays opportunistic, then Washington is a serious threat to make the CFP.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 1
Week 12 Opponent: @ Oregon State at 7:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. OREGON (9 – 1) AP Ranking – #6
QB Bo Nix is a Heisman candidate that is at the height of his powers. Although Nix is a great QB, he is by no means a one-man band.
Oregon is a serious contender to run the table and have a shot at the CFP! Many people believe they are the best one loss team in the nation with a strong defense and a dominant offense.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 2
Week 12 Opponent: Arizona State at PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. UTAH (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #16
The Utes lost their chance to defend their Pac-12 Championship crown, but they are still a dangerous and tough team led by one of the best coaches in the nation in Kyle Whittingham.
Utah may not be quite at the level of Oregon and Washington this year, but they show up each week and expect to beat a tough Arizona team this weekend.
A win raises their profile and increases the chances they make a major Bowl game while a loss could knock them out of the top 25.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 3
Week 12 Opponent: @ Arizona at PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. OREGON STATE (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #10
The Beavers just keep winning and while they only have an outside chance to make the Pac-12 Championship, with a win over Washington they could dramatically increase their resume and quality for a New Year’s Six Bowl!
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 5
Week 12 Opponent: Washington at 7:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
5. Arizona (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #19
Coach Jedd Fisch has steadily improved the Wildcats each year and this year this team is not simply an upstart, they are a legitimately dangerous team.
If Arizona can win their last two regular season games and their Bowl game they will have a 10 win season which is a huge deal in Arizona.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: Unranked
Week 12 Opponent: Utah at PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Dropped from Pac – 12 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as Last Week
BIG 12 TOP FIVE
Nobody seems to want to play Texas in the Big 12 Championship as each team that gets into second place in the Conference seems to lose the next weekend.
Texas themselves struggled with a TCU team this weekend that is under .500 on the season and worse, the Longhorns lost star RB Jonathon Brooks for the season when he tore his ACL.
1. TEXAS (9 – 1) AP Ranking – #7
The Longhorns didn’t look pretty, but they won the game against TCU this past weekend.
They won, but they lost one of their best players for the season when RB Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL.
Texas must win their next two games to assure themselves a shot at the CFP.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 2
Week 12 Opponent: @ Iowa State at 8:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. OKLAHOMA (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #14
The Sooners may have fallen out of the race for the CFP, but they still have a shot to win the Big 12.
With star QB Dillon Gabriel leading the way, the Sooners can score with anyone, they just need their defense to be at least average and they are a top 10 team.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 1
Week 12 Opponent: @ BYU at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Kansas State (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #23
Kansas State is unpredictable, one week they look like a top 10 team and the next they look like they should be knocked out of the Top 25!
I believe they are closer to a legitimate Top 15 team, they just need to be consistent. If they can win the rest of their regular season games and they Bowl game they could win 10 games this year!
Last Week Big 12 Ranking: 3
Week 12 Opponent: @ Kansas at PM 7:00 EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Oklahoma State (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #24
Take what was said about Kansas State and copy and paste here! The one difference is that while Kansas State is unpredictable, Oklahoma State is unpredictable to another level.
Hopefully these next couple of weeks will show us just how good the Cowboys are this year.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 5
Week 12 Opponent: @ Houston at 4:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. KANSAS (7 – 3) AP Ranking – #Unranked
Kansas is a legitimately good team that has unfortunately suffered injuries to both their first and second string QBs.
With either of those QBs healthy the Jayhawks are a Top 25 team, without them it remains to be seen just how good this team can be.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 4
Week 12 Opponent: Kansas State at 7:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Dropped from Big 12 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as Last Week
ACC TOP FIVE
Florida State is in prime position to represent the Conference in the ACC Championship and right now it is looking like their opponent will be the Louisville Cardinals.
There are still games to play though so we will see how it shakes out.
1. FLORIDA STATE (10 – 0) AP Ranking – #4
The Seminoles survived a tough rivalry game against Miami this past weekend and stayed undefeated.
Florida State must hope that Louisville stays undefeated so that they can meet in the ACC Championship game. That would give FSU a top ten win if they can defeat the Cardinals and they need one to add to their resume so that they can make the CFP.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 1
Week 12 Opponent: North Alabama at 6:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (9 – 1) AP Ranking – #9
The Cardinals continue to impress in Coach Jeff Brohm’s first year.
They are in control of their destiny and if they win out they will be representing the ACC in their Championship Game with a lot on the line.
This week they need to stay focused and beat an unpredictable Miami Hurricanes team.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 2
Week 12 Opponent: @ Miami at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. NORTH CAROLINA (8 – 2) AP Ranking – #22
While North Carolina may be out of the running for the CFP, they are still having a strong season that could get even better with a few more wins.
That starts this week when they go on the road to play a proud Clemson team. We will see just how good the Tar Heels are this week…
Last Week ACC Ranking: 3
Week 12 Opponent: @ Clemson at 3:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. NC State (7 – 3) AP Ranking – Unranked
NC State has flown under the radar, but they are having a strong season that could end with 10 wins if they win their remaining regular season games and then win their Bowl game!
That possibility starts this week with a game against Virginia Tech.
Last Week ACC Ranking: Unranked
Week 12 Opponent: @ Virginia Tech at 3:30 PM EDT Saturday 11/18/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. DUKE (6 – 4) AP Ranking – #Unranked
The Blue Devils started the season so strong, but QB Riley Leonard’s injury has set the team back.
The good news is that Freshman QB Grayson Loftis is starting to come on strong and could help the Blue Devils end their season on a strong note even if Leonard is unable to come back from injury.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 5
Week 12 Opponent: @ Virginia at 3:00 PM EDT Thursday 11/2/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from Big 12 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as last week
NOTABLE Week 12 GAMES
The season just continues to provide us with games to look forward to. There are lots of good games on the schedule for Week 12, and some of the most exciting games for Week 12 are listed below:
- #16 Utah @ #19 Arizona – Two tough nosed teams go at it in a battle to stay in the Top 25!
- #9 Louisville @ Miami – Louisville controls their destiny in reaching the ACC Championship Game, but they need to get past Miami.
- #1 Georgia @ #21 Tennessee – Another big test for Georgia, but so far the Dawgs have passed all of their tests with flying colors!
- #22 North Carolina @ Clemson– North Carolina is on pace for a 10 win season, but they will not have an easy game against a proud and surging Clemson team!
- #5 Washington @ #10 Oregon State – Another big test for the Huskies this weekend when they go on the road to face a very tough Oregon State team.
Rivalry Sports Lock Pick of the Week – Ole Miss over Louisiana Monroe 34 – 20
Rivalry Sports Underdog Pick of the Week – North Carolina over Clemson
Check back in for updated Top 5 Rankings next week!
WEEK 11 PICKS REVIEWED
| Week 11 Pick Results | Record |
| SEC | 2 – 3 |
| B1G (Big Ten) | 5 – 0 |
| Pac – 12 | 5 – 0 |
| Big – 12 | 3 – 2 |
| ACC | 5 – 0 |
| Total | 20 – 5 |
WEEK 11 GAME PICK RESULTS
| GAME | RIVALRY SPORTS PICK – Dustin Kirby | GUEST PICKER PICK – Bob Kirby | WINNER |
| Ole Miss vs Georgia | Ole Miss | Georgia | Georgia |
| Alabama vs Kentucky | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama |
| Tennessee vs Missouri | Tennessee | Tennessee | Missouri |
| Florida vs LSU | LSU | LSU | LSU |
| Michigan vs Penn State | Michigan | Michigan | Michigan |
| Michigan State vs Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| Rutgers vs Iowa | Iowa | Iowa | Iowa |
| Utah vs Washington | Washington | Washington | Washington |
| USC vs Oregon | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon |
| Stanford vs Oregon State | Oregon State | Oregon State | Oregon State |
| Texas vs TCU | Texas | Texas | Texas |
| Oklahoma State vs UCF | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State | UCF |
| Baylor vs Kansas State | Kansas State | Kansas State | Kansas State |
| West Virginia vs Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Oklahoma |
| Texas Tech vs Kansas | Kansas | Kansas | Texas Tech |
| Miami vs Florida State | Florida State | Florida State | Florida State |
| Virginia vs Louisville | Louisville | Louisville | Louisville |
| Duke vs North Carolina | North Carolina | Duke | North Carolina |
| NC State @ Wake Forest | NC State | Wake Forest | NC State |
| Wins Per Picker | 15 | 14 | 19 |
Week 12 Game Picks
| Game (Home team listed 2nd) | Rivalry Sports Pick – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker – Stephanie Kirby | Winner |
| Georgia vs Tennessee | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Tennessee-Chattanooga vs Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | |
| Louisiana-Monroe vs Ole Miss | Ole Miss | Ole Miss | |
| Florida vs Missouri | Missouri | Missouri | |
| Georgia State vs LSU | LSU | LSU | |
| Michigan vs Maryland | Michigan | Michigan | |
| Minnesota vs Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | |
| Rutgers vs Penn State | Penn State | Penn State | |
| Illinois vs Iowa | Iowa | Iowa | |
| Washington vs Oregon State | Washington | Washington | |
| Arizona State vs Oregon | Oregon | Oregon | |
| Utah vs Arizona | Utah | Arizona | |
| Texas vs Iowa State | Texas | Texas | |
| Oklahoma vs BYU | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | |
| Kansas State vs Kansas | Kansas State | Kansas State | |
| Oklahoma State vs Houston | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State | |
| North Alabama vs Florida State | FSU | FSU | |
| Louisville vs Miami | Louisville | Louisville | |
| North Carolina vs Clemson | North Carolina | Clemson | |
| NC State vs Virginia Tech | NC State | NC State | |
| Duke vs Virginia | Duke | Duke | |
| WINS PER PICKER | 21 |
