Louisville Football: Predicting the Week 12 College Football Playoff Poll

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at the projected top ten rankings for this week’s poll and where Louisville football could be ranked.

The Louisville football team had a very disappointing game against the Houston Cougars last Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. They still have a ton to play for and that starts with demolishing the Kentucky Wildcats next Saturday.

We have done this article every week and usually come pretty darn close to nailing where the Cards will be ranked.

I know it may seem like Louisville will drop a bunch of spots, but they may not drop as far as you may think.

With that being said, let’s take a look at what the new top ten could be this coming week:

Nov 12, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Joshua Jacobs (25) carries the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kivon Coman (11) reaches for him at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Bulldogs 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0)

I don’t think there is anyone in the country that wouldn’t agree that Alabama is the best team in America. They beat Chattanooga on Saturday and only have one more regular season game to play against Auburn. It looks like the Crimson Tide are an easy shoe-in for the 2016 College Football Playoff.

They will also play in the SEC Championship game in December, with a chance to secure the number one seed. I don’t think that Florida has a chance to beat them, therefore they will most likely be the top team at the end of the season.

With Jalen Hurts as Quarterback, the Crimson Tide are in great position to win another National Championship this season.

2. Michigan Wolverines (10-1)

If the playoff committee truly does go from scratch every week, then the Wolverines should be rated over the Buckeyes. Michigan took care of their business at home against Indiana and are gearing up for a monumental game against the Buckeyes next weekend.

If Michigan beats Ohio State, then the Wolverines will be playing in the Big Ten championship with a shot to punch their ticket to the playoffs. However, if they lose, then they can kiss any hope of going to the big dance goodbye in 2016.

With that being said, Michigan has been dominated by Ohio State in recent history. It’s going to be important for them to get up early, so their incredible defense can shut down J.T. Barrett and the Buckeye’s offense.

Nov 19, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a win over the Michigan State Spartans after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1)

Just like with Michigan, if the committee re-evaluates every team, every week, then the Buckeyes should drop one spot because of their poor play against the Michigan State Spartans. They only won by one point, but I guess you never really know where they will be ranked because of the committee’s love for the Big Ten.

Ohio State has a huge game with Michigan next weekend, but even a win won’t send the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Championship game. However, it could give the Buckeyes an opportunity to be the second team from the conference in the playoffs.

If that happens, then Urban Meyer will surely have his team ready to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide, as they could be the fourth ranked team in a few weeks.

Nov 19, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4. Clemson Tigers (10-1)

Sorry Louisville fans, Wake Forest wasn’t able to get the job done against Clemson and that means the the Tigers will be heading to the ACC Championship game. The Tigers still have to play South Carolina, but they will surely win that game as well.

It stinks that the Cards lost to Clemson because the Tigers will beat anyone that they play in the conference championship. The Costal division is completely terrible and will prove to be no match for Deshaun Watson.

Unfortunately it looks like the Tigers will be heading to the College Football Playoffs again this season and will be looking for a rematch with the number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Ezekiel Turner (24) celebrates a sack against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Washington Huskies (10-1)

Washington lost last week to USC, but they only dropped from number four to number six. If only the Louisville football team would have been so lucky this week. This obvious display of confidence from the committee proves that Washington could be in the top four if they win their conference.

The Huskies still have one more tough regular season game against rival Washington State. A loss to them could prove to be the nail in the coffin for Washington’s 2016 playoff hopes.

Not to mention, they will still have to face another ranked opponent in the Pac 12 Conference Championship game. Huskies fans should be excited because their football team still has a chance to crash the party.

Nov 19, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Bradrick Shaw (7) rushes the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

6. Wisconsin Badgers (9-2)

Wisconsin only has one more game remaining in the regular season and it’s against Minnesota. In case you didn’t already know, there is no way that the Badgers drop a game to the Gophers. I am so confident that I would be willing to bet my car on it. Well, maybe not, but I hope you get the picture.

The Badgers will win their division in the Big Ten and will either take on the Michigan Wolverines or Penn State in the title game. A win in the conference championship could very well send Wisconsin to the College Football Playoff.

They have two tough losses against Michigan and Ohio State, but it would be extremely hard to argue that they wouldn’t deserve a spot in the Final Four if they won the Big Ten.

Nov 12, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) throws a pass during the first half of the game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

7. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2)

Other than Ohio State, Penn State hasn’t beat one other legit team all season long. They have been playing well and could be going to the Big Ten Championship if the Buckeyes beat Michigan. Doesn’t it feel like this entire post has been about the Big Ten?

Well, these teams have been playing extremely well and have themselves in prime position to make the playoffs. I think Penn State is the worst of all the Big Ten teams competing in the top ten, but if they win the conference, they deserve to be in the top four teams.

They do have to play Michigan State next weekend, which gave the Buckeyes a nail-biter, but I expect the Nittany Lions to pull out the victory to finish the regular season at 10-2.

Nov 19, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma Sooners safety Steven Parker (10) celebrates after Oklahoma Sooners recover a fumble during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

8. Oklahoma Sooners (9-2)

I am not sure that there is much that Oklahoma can do to make it into the playoffs this year, but at least they can still win the Big 12. They started the season 1-2 after losses to Houston and Ohio State, therefore finishing 10-2 with a conference championship should be seen as a legit accomplishment.

There is still one more game left against #11 Oklahoma State next weekend. It will be a rivalry game that will test the Sooners defense more than West Virginia could on Saturday night.

Baker Mayfield will be sure to keep playing hard for his team and will do everything he can to make sure that the committee respects what they have done this season.

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Louisville Cardinals tight end Cole Hikutini (18) celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

9. Louisville Cardinals (9-2)

The Cardinals received an absolute beating by the Houston Cougars last Thursday night. There was so much excitement and expectation going into the game that the Cards just crumbled under the pressure. The Cougars led from the start and dominated until the end.

It was extremely disappointing for a team that felt they deserved a shot at Alabama, but it was clear that they wouldn’t have had a chance. Maybe next year Louisville fans, maybe next year.

I think the committee will be tough on Louisville, but won’t drop them beneath the top nine. They are still one of the most talented teams in the country and will, more than likely, finish the season at 10-2 and head to the Orange Bowl.

Nov 19, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive end Leo Jackson III (52) reacts to a strip sack fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Cougars 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

10. Colorado Buffaloes (9-2)

Colorado is having one of their best seasons in a long time and it’s been fun to watch from afar. They just beat #22 Washington State, which sets them up to make their conference championship by beating Utah next weekend. It will obviously be a challenging game, but it won’t be one that they aren’t ready for.

Could Colorado make the big jump into the top four by winning their conference? Maybe, but I don’t think it’s very likely. They have been ranked pretty low this season, in terms of the AP Poll, but it has been apparent that the committee doesn’t care about such things.

The Buffaloes are on a fast track to win the Pac 12 and the rest of the west coast teams better take notice before it’s too late.