FOX Four: Auburn roars into playoff, FSU closes gap on No. 1 spot

Welcome to the FOX Four.

To prepare for the inaugural College Football Playoff, we’ve assembled our own 13-member committee that will present its ranking of the top teams after each week from now through the end of the season.

How it works: Each member will submit an individual top 10, which we’ll compile to get an average score and then publish our official FOX Four rankings from highest to lowest (average score in parentheses). Though this ranking puts special emphasis on the first four teams – our current playoff picks after the most recent week of the season – we’ll list a top 10 so you can see how the committee has prioritized the second batch of teams that could impact the playoff discussion.

Number of first-place votes will break ties. If two teams have the same number of first-place votes, we’ll proceed to the subsequent place until the tie is broken.

Our 13-member committee: Tim Brando, Charles Davis, Bruce Feldman, Joey Harrington, Joel Klatt, Matt Leinart, Stewart Mandel, Ryan Nece, Petros Papadakis, Brady Quinn, Rob Stone, Clay Travis and Dave Wannstedt.

"We know fans want transparency in their playoff rankings," said committee chairman Stewart Mandel. "Not only will you see our Top 10 each week but you'll get explanations from our committee members why the teams are ranked where they are."

Below the top 10, look for brief analysis from college football analyst Coy Wire on one team primed to rise and one ready to fall in the rankings.

Next week on FOX & FOX Sports 1 (all times ET): No. 9 Kansas State at No. 6 TCU (7:30, FOX); No. 10 Baylor at No. 16 Oklahoma (Noon, FS1); No. 24 West Virginia at Texas (3:30, FS1); No. 18 UCLA at Washington (7, FS1).

To get all FOX Sports college football content delivered to you, follow CFB on FOX on Twitter and like our Facebook page.

Previous FOX Four rankings: Week 6  Week 7  Week 8  Week 9

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1) MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS (9.64)

Mississippi State had a tough time against Arkansas at home, but the Bulldogs prevailed, 17-10, to improve to 8-0 (5-0 SEC). “Still odd to see that No. 1 next to them, but they look comfortable with that label,” Rob Stone said. “The Bulldogs proved versus Arkansas they can endure and succeed in a grind-it-out, ground-and-pound, low-scoring affair, their first of the season. Next week they have a bye, cleverly disguised as UT-Martin, before they head to Bama.”

Matt Leinart: “Arkansas has played almost everyone tough this year. I thought Dak Prescott made some big plays in the end, particularly in the pass game. He is not 100 percent and that is a cause for concern moving forward.”

Joey Harrington: “People don't understand the pressure that comes with defending the No. 1 ranking. Every week you get the best your opponent can bring and while they didn't look overly impressive against an inferior Arkansas team, they won -- and that's all that matters!”

Brady Quinn: “What I've learned over the past two weeks is MSU is a great ‘team,’ but I don't think they have the incredible talents that other highly touted schools do in the SEC West to remain unbeaten. Prescott has played gritty and tough all year, but he's been getting exposed throwing the football. This will eventually catch up with them.”

Petros Papadakis: “The Bulldogs are undefeated now, but with one loss I will drop them out of my top four because they have four weak non-conference opponents.”

Charles Davis: “I don't think they can survive the season without a loss, but depending on who beats them, they can still get to the Playoff Four.”

2) FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (9.27)

The Seminoles were tested last Thursday at Louisville and were in serious upset danger, but they did what they’ve become known to do – ride QB Jameis Winston and find a way to win. FSU is 8-0 and pushed its win streak to 24. “FSU beat a very good Louisville team on the road, has the top-ranked defense in the FBS and is still the undefeated defending champ,” Dave Wannstedt said.

Ryan Nece: “This team’s will to win is unprecedented. There is reason that Winston won the Heisman last year -- he is a special talent. It took all of his talent, leadership and the team’s will to win to pull that Louisville game out. Never count FSU out with Winston at the helm.”

Bruce Feldman (had FSU No. 1): “Jimbo Fisher's squad was on the ropes at No. 25 Louisville but got some big plays from a bunch of true freshmen to rally, and to me their performance this week was better than what Mississippi State showed. Also, I give the ‘Noles credit for their non-conference schedule, especially compared to the Bulldogs’.”

Stewart Mandel (had FSU No. 1): “The second half of the Louisville game was the first time the ‘Noles looked like I’d imagined they would, with Dalvin Cook opening up the run game and the defense playing much better.”

Papadakis (had FSU No. 1): “I will keep the Seminoles at No. 1 as long as they keep winning. What makes FSU so compelling is that we never know what's next from Jameis Winston, on or off the field.”

Davis: “FSU isn’t doing it with style, but this team is a Charlie Sheen special because they ARE winning! Don't see who's left that can beat them (Florida?) before the Playoff Four now.”

3) AUBURN TIGERS (7.82)

In the marquee game of Week 10, Auburn went to Oxford and beat Ole Miss, 35-31, to remain firmly in the playoff hunt while the Rebels drop back. “Auburn was extremely fortunate to beat Ole Miss in Oxford, but there is no doubt they are playing at a higher level than FSU,” said Tim Brando, who had Auburn No. 2 and FSU No. 3. “The 'Noles are living on the edge. It may finally catch up to then in Miami in two weeks.”

Clay Travis: “The Tigers have now beaten two top-10 teams on the road -- Kansas State and Ole Miss. The rest of the teams in college football have two road top-10 wins combined.”

Joel Klatt: “This team has retained much of the resiliency it showcased a year ago by winning games in dramatic fashion. Their schedule is just brutal but looks easier now with Georgia giving up 418 yards rushing to a completely inept Florida offense. This is one of the few teams in the country that could find their way into the playoff without winning their conference based on the strength of their schedule and resume.”

Wannstedt: “Auburn has two good wins -- at Kansas State and at Ole Miss -- and I think they have a top-four defense, but their offense is too heavily dependent on QB Nick Marshall.”

Stone: “Auburn has scored 30 or more points now in 16 of their last 18 games after a tremendous gritty win at Ole Miss. That win makes Kansas State's lone defeat look better and better.”

Quinn: “Auburn continues to find ways to win on the arm of Nick Marshall. His ability to improvise allows Auburn to be indefensible at times. Their defense seems to come up with the big play at the right time. Although Texas A&M has been down of late, don't count them out against Auburn with the way this college football season has gone. And with Georgia and Alabama still to play, Auburn has the toughest road of anybody to remain with only one loss.”

Nece: “The win on Saturday helped prove why Auburn is ranked so high. They have a number of weapons on offense and their D has enough playmakers to stop high-powered offenses.” 

Papadakis: “If War Eagle wins out and Mississippi State wins out, then Auburn would not qualify for the SEC title game. But could the Tigers still make the playoff? This system stinks.”

4) OREGON DUCKS (6.55)

Oregon pounded Stanford in a matchup of Pac-12 North heavyweights, although the Cardinal aren’t nearly as tough as they have been in recent seasons. “Every week they get a little healthier and Marcus Mariota gets a little better,” Harrington said. “So far this year he's rid himself of the ‘hasn't won a big game’ monkey (Michigan State) and the ‘can't beat Stanford’ monkey. For all the success Marcus and the Ducks have had during his time at quarterback, they have not won the Pac-12 championship. That's the next monkey to shed.”

Leinart: “They solved the ‘physical defense’ by beating Michigan State and Stanford. The Ducks’ offense is as good as anyone’s in the country. The defense is average -- and that's generous -- but who cares when you have Mariota on your side?” 

Papadakis: “If the Ducks win out, then they will deserve a playoff spot. Their Michigan State victory is the best non-conference victory in the nation this season.”

Mandel: “The Ducks looked sharp in all areas against Stanford, executing exactly how they wanted on offense against the nation’s stingiest defense.”

Stone: “Oregon dropped 45 points and 525 total yards on a top-five defensive unit in Stanford. Please East Coast, stay up and appreciate this team.”

Quinn: “Their toughest game of the season will be this week at Utah, as the Utes have the type of defense that can match Oregon's fire power on offense and QB Travis Wilson will pick apart the meager Duck defense. The Ducks will also have to catch their breath with their fast-paced offense given they are playing at altitude. If they win this game, they should be able to handle any opponent in the Pac-12 championship game.”

Travis: “Oregon has three Pac-12 games left -- at Utah, Colorado and at Oregon State. So it comes down to the game at Utah. Then the Pac-12 title game looks like it could be a default playoff game against Arizona State. I have Oregon at No. 5 because the home loss to Arizona looked bad based on the way UCLA handled 'Zona Saturday. No other team in playoff consideration has lost at home to anyone, much less a team from outside the top 20.”

5) TCU HORNED FROGS (5.45)

TCU survived another Big 12 trap by going to Morgantown and leaving with a win against West Virginia. Now they prepare to host Kansas State in a matchup of top-10 teams. “There was a recurring theme this week among the top teams -- winning ugly,” Harrington said. “However, TCU won ugly against a very good West Virginia team in Morgantown. That tells me something about this team’s character. While Trevone Boykin did not look like a Heisman trophy candidate this week, he did enough to win. And while Gary Patterson's defense is not playing like a Gary Patterson defense, it created five turnovers, which was the difference in that game.”

Stone: “In their second-lowest scoring game of the season, they were able to overcome a sluggish start by Boykin and rally in one of the more hostile environments in the land. For them it all hinges on Saturday's home game versus Kansas State (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX), as they close the season with three teams that won’t provide much, if any, boost for them in the rankings.”

Wannstedt: “A three-point loss at Baylor is the only thing from TCU being undefeated. Combine offense, defense, special teams and coaching, and the Horned Frogs are playing like a top-four team today.”

Brando: “The TCU/Baylor dilemma is gonna be difficult for everyone to sort out. You don't wanna penalize the Horned Frogs, but it's hard not to for their fourth-quarter debacle in Waco.”

Leinart: “TCU is starting to build one of the best resumes in CFB. Going on the road is tough, let alone to Morgantown against a good WVU team. Credit to the Horned Frogs for finding a way to win in the end. Now a huge matchup against Kansas State, with the winner in the Big 12 driver’s seat.”

Feldman (had TCU No. 5, Alabama No. 6): “I'm moving the Horned Frogs up a lot here and bumped them ahead of Bama. They've just proven more this year. They both have wins over WVU and while Bama's was by more points, TCU's happened in Morgantown. Both have a road loss that I'd say came against legit top-10 teams and wins against ranked opponents that have plummeted (Texas A&M and Oklahoma State). But TCU also has a nice win over OU. Advantage: Horned Frogs.”

6) ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (5.09)

The Crimson Tide didn’t play in Week 10 and now gear up for their next huge SEC West challenge: a trip to Baton Rouge to face LSU. “Alabama continues to dominate,” Nece said. “They were up 27-0 before Tennessee scored to make it competitive. Alabama is peaking at the right time and has plenty of opportunities in the near future to prove they are a top-four team.”

Mandel: “Let’s be honest: Alabama is here because of the ‘eye test.’ It doesn’t have that great a resume -- yet. It plays LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn down the stretch.”

Klatt (had Bama No. 7): “The bulk of the schedule is in front of Bama, but as of right now they have the weakest resume of any team in my top 10. The win over WVU is their best so far, and they should not get any credit for beating an A&M team that was just out gained 347-243 against Louisiana-Monroe. If they win out, they will be just fine and competing in a national semifinal, but as of now there is no possible way to put them any higher than No. 7.”

Brando: “My thoughts last week about the SEC West eating its young resonate even more today! This week it's Alabama's turn. If they beat LSU in Baton Rouge (like so many others), then I'll move them up. That's gonna be a tough out for them, and I wouldn't have said that three weeks ago.”

Harrington (had Bama No. 7, Auburn No. 3): “Auburn won in Oxford, Alabama lost in Oxford. Auburn won in Manhattan, Alabama beat West Virginia on a neutral site. I'm tired of people saying they just ‘know’ Alabama is the best team in the SEC. That feeling is based on what Nick Saban and Alabama have done in the past and the belief he will have them prepared to win down the stretch. The reality is there is no logical argument that could put this year’s Alabama team, at this moment, ahead of Auburn. This week’s game will give Alabama a chance to beat a good LSU team -- which is something Auburn has already done.”

7) MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (4.27)

Michigan State took the weekend off, and now everyone looks ahead to this Saturday when the Spartans welcome Ohio State in a game that will decide which Big Ten team has any shot at all of making the playoff. “They need more quality wins in order to move up, and they will get their chance against Ohio State, but they have to control the game and win soundly or the committee may dock them,” Klatt said. “Also, it would help immensely if Nebraska was able to get to Indy with only one loss. Connor Cook and the Spartan offense has gone overlooked the entire year, but they're one of the best offenses in the nation.”

Harrington: “This week’s game against Ohio State will tell me if this team truly deserves to be in the discussion. While they looked good in the early season loss at Oregon, they still lost. Michigan State hasn't played anyone of consequence since, and this will be their chance to prove to people they are more than just the best team in a weak conference.”

Wannstedt (had MSU No. 4): “Michigan State may not have the signature win that Auburn has, but I'm voting on what I see on film and Michigan State is one of the four best teams.”

Feldman (had MSU No. 7): “I've slid the Spartans above Notre Dame. MSU was off while ND was really shaky against Navy. It also doesn't help the Irish's cause that their best win – Stanford -- looks less impressive with the Cardinal losing again.”

Travis: “Unfortunately for Michigan State, it's unlikely that 12-1 in the Big Ten is going to be good enough to get into the playoff.”

8) KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (3.09)

Another week and another solid performance from Bill Snyder’s Wildcats. Kansas State hammered Oklahoma State, 48-14, and now heads to TCU for a crucial Big 12 showdown. “The Wildcats’ offense gets more explosive by the week, shredding Oklahoma State primarily with downfield throws,” Mandel said.

Klatt: “So reliable, and the lone blemish on the schedule came via the No. 2 team in the country (my poll) in a game they dominated and made far too many critical errors, which is uncharacteristic for Bill Snyder teams. Jake Waters is not flashy, but his ability to hurt defenses with his feet has been crucial for the Wildcats.”

Feldman: “Bill Snyder's team has won five in a row after losing by a TD to Auburn. They have only one win over a ranked opponent, but it was at OU.”

Brando: “The Wildcats are the trump card team of my top 10.”

Harrington: “In typical Bill Snyder fashion, the team that no one is talking about has put itself in a position to win the Big 12 and grab one of the four playoff spots. With three of their four remaining games on the road against TCU, West Virginia and Baylor, they may have the toughest stretch run in the country.”

Travis: “Good luck with winning those three road games. In fact, there's no way Kansas State is winning those three.”

9) NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (1.64)

The Fighting Irish had to work to get a 49-39 victory over Navy, but as mentioned with FSU and Mississippi State, the important thing is they won and move on. “The Irish didn’t inspire confidence with their performance against Navy, but defending Navy is tough,” Mandel said. Now comes a chance to make a statement with a road trip to Arizona State.

Davis: “ND sprinted out to a big lead against Navy but ended up in a fight before subduing the always game Midshipmen. But it will not register as an impressive win, and that hurts the Golden Domers’ case for the Playoff Four. They can regain some luster (in a big way) with a win at Arizona State.”

Quinn: “The loss of Joe Schmidt, their leading tackler at linebacker, is troubling. Everett Golson has played well, and inconsistent, throughout this year, but he's always been able to rely on a solid ND defense to provide him stability throughout his career. Without Schmidt, their 'quarterback' on defense, the Irish are in trouble. Someone must step up into that spot to communicate the complicated defensive scheme of DC Brian VanGorder, and that will be no easy task to do in a week's time during the season. I have faith the Irish can win out, but can they do so in style or at least enough to sway the committee? They have opportunities to impress with tough tests against Louisville, at ASU and at USC still ahead.”

10) BAYLOR BEARS (0.91)

Baylor put up 60 on Kansas in Week 10, but that win will have no bearing on its playoff status. This week provides a different kind of opportunity. “The expected wipe out of Kansas happened, so now it’s real for Baylor as they head to Oklahoma on Saturday,” Davis said. “Many have the Bears ranked this low because of their non-conference schedule. This is their opportunity to wipe away the loss at West Virginia and remind us all they are the defending Big 12 champs.”

Harrington: “I'm tired of people talking about Baylor's weak non-conference schedule as if they're the only ones to schedule soft games. If you're going to make that argument, then you need to include teams like Alabama in that discussion, as their non-league games against Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss and FCS school Western Carolina are no different than the schedule Baylor played. Their schedule also doesn't change the fact they are the only team to beat TCU, and their only loss is on the road to a good West Virginia team. That's good enough for me to be in the top 10.”

Travis: “Baylor beat TCU and is ranked beneath TCU. That's hard for me to justify considering that both teams have only one loss, but Baylor has a chance to remedy that by winning at Oklahoma and beating Kansas State.”

Klatt: “The Bears control their own destiny in the Big 12 with dates against Kansas State and Oklahoma still on the schedule. In order to be included in the playoff, they need TCU to lose another game, because the committee clearly sees them as second or third fiddle in the conference.”

Other teams receiving votes: Arizona State (0.55), Ohio State (one ninth-place vote), Ole Miss (one ninth-place vote), Nebraska (one 10th-place vote)

Teams with top-four votes: Mississippi State (13), Florida State (13), Auburn (11), Oregon (10), TCU (2), Alabama (2)

COY WIRE’S ONE UP, ONE DOWN

Trending up: Kansas State

While they’ll be going on the road to take on Trevone Boykin and TCU, let’s take a calculated risk by taking the Wildcats in the upset this weekend in Fort Worth. After putting up 82 points two weeks ago, TCU’s offense labored through its worst showing of 2014 at WVU. Boykin went 12-of-30 for 166 yards through the air while the Horned Frogs totaled 389 yards. TCU's offense is set up much like Auburn’s zone read run game -- drawing the defense up and then throwing it deep off of play-action passes. K-State should play well against this type of offense.

After holding Auburn to its lowest rushing total with Gus Malzahn as the Tigers’ head coach -- and winning one-on-one matchups when the Tigers tried to hit them deep -- Kansas State’s defense has seemed to get better as the season has progressed. Defensive tackle Travis Britz will anchor the middle and linebackers Jonathan Truman and Dakorey Johnson will run sideline to sideline defending the Horned Frog run game, but cornerbacks Danzel McDaniel and Morgan Burns and safety Dante Barnett will have to play their best games of the season. TCU loves to go four- and five-wide receiver sets, so the DBs will be called on to win mono-y-mono matchups as Boykin tries to prove last week's lackluster performance was simply an aberration.

Trending down: Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s young defense got younger when the on-field general and interpreter of the Irish’s complex defensive scheme, Joe Schmidt, went down with an ankle injury. Notre Dame watched a 28-7 lead shrink away in the second and third quarters last week against Navy, as the Midshipmen grinded out 454 yards of offense. In a game where the Irish would have hoped to score style points to impress the committee, they played anything but playoff caliber football.

Now headed to the desert to face an up-tempo ASU offensive scheme that tests the football I.Q. of defenders, the young and erratic Irish defense will face a huge challenge from Sun Devils Taylor Kelly, Jaelen Strong and D.J. Foster.