After loses from multiple top ranked teams, the playoff standings continue to change.

The release of the third College Football Playoff rankings have caused more drama around the college sports landscape.

This week’s College Football Playoff has many fans around the Louisville area upset. Only one of the top four teams remained in the same spot they did last week. The Big Ten is the only conference with two teams projected to be in the playoffs.

After a win against Wake Forest, in which the Cardinals exploded for 44 straight points after being down 12-0, Louisville still was not put in the top four. Many people thought with the second, third, and fourth ranked teams losing that Louisville would be a lock to get in.

However, it seems that the committee wants to see Louisville win by larger margins against teams they are projected to beat. Still, the Cardinals have a chance to prove themselves when they play at 8-2 Houston. This sets the Cards up for possibly their biggest win and also prove to the committee that they can beat quality teams.

With Alabama’s annihilation of Mississippi State in a 51-3 route, the Crimson Tide retain their top spot in the College Football Playoff Standings. The undefeated Tide will likely stay that way as they play Chattanooga this week in Tuscaloosa.

Clemson, Michigan, and Washington all lost last weekend. The second, third, and fourth ranked teams going down opened the door for one team sitting on the outside, and that was the Buckeyes.

Ohio State is currently sitting at number two overall with Michigan at three and Clemson at four. The Buckeyes blew out the Maryland Terrapins 62-3 as the Buckeyes continue their high scoring style.  

The Wolverines remain at third in this week’s rankings even after a loss to unranked Iowa this past weekend. Their loss is the first of the year as they look to bounce back against Indiana this week.

Clemson also took their first loss of the year at the hands of Pittsburgh. The Tigers have had a lot of close games this year, most notably against Louisville in week five in arguably one of this years most entertaining games.

The Washington Huskies drop to the fifth spot after their first loss this year. In a chance for the Huskies to prove themselves on a national stage, they came up short against USC. However, the Huskies are not out of the picture by any means, as a win this week against Arizona State, and a loss from Ohio State, Michigan, or Clemson would likely put Washington back in the top four.

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are trying to finish strong. Some having an easier path to win out than others. The following weeks will surely decide who’s in and who’s out, adding pressure to both coaches and players. However, this will likely prove who’s a contender and who’s a pretender.