This week the Big 12 basically lost any hope for a playoff bid (to the surprise of no one) as both undefeated West Virginia and Baylor lost to unranked opponents. Besides that, Washington got a key road victory over Utah and Clemson looked like a playoff-caliber team in a big win over Florida State. The first official College Football Playoff rankings come out this week, so the pressure is on to finish the regular season strong.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide got their annual bye week to prepare for the LSU Tigers, led by coach Ed Orgeron. This will be the first time Nick Saban has faced LSU without Les Miles since arriving in Tuscaloosa. This game should be a big test for true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, playing in a hostile Baton Rouge environment.

2. Clemson Tigers

Florida State was Clemson's last true challenge as the Tigers finish with games against Syracuse, Pitt, Wake Forest, and South Carolina. Clemson has a clear path to the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff, and could likely secure a playoff spot even with a loss. DeShaun Watson and company have been looking more like championship contenders each week; so lets see if they can keep it up.

3. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines avenged last season's heartbreaking loss to the Spartans and are now one game closer to their showdown against the Buckeyes in Columbus. While Lamar Jackson remains the clear cut Heisman favorite, Jabrill Peppers continues to put on a show on a weekly basis. This week's example, the Wolverines star played TEN different positions in the 32-23 win over Michigan State. Also he did this:

What can't Jabrill Peppers do?https://t.co/efk3cWBwI8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 29, 2016

4. Washington Huskies

Jake Browning and the Huskies went on the road and beat a solid Utah team on the road on national television. This is a good confidence boosting win for a Washington team that should be in the playoff committee's top four come Tuesday. If the Huskies can stay undefeated and win the Pac 12 they will be an easy choice for the playoff. However, a loss likely puts them behind other one loss teams with stronger schedules, such as Texas A&M and Louisville.

5. Texas A&M Aggies

With Ohio State and Louisville struggling against underwhelming opponents this week, the Aggies look to be the best of the one loss teams right now. Unfortunately, A&M is going to need some help in order to get in the playoff. They either need Alabama to lose to both LSU and Auburn (which won't happen)or Washington/Clemson to play themselves out of playoff spot. Regardless, the Aggies need to win the rest of their games to have a legitimate case for a playoff spot.

6. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville didn't exactly play like a playoff-caliber team as it took an incredible pass and combo with thirteen seconds left to knock of a 2-5 Virginia team. Lamar Jackson's game winning touchdown pass may very well end up as his Heisman moment. The Cardinals need to win the rest of their games, and adding some style points wouldn't hurt, in order to have a shot at the playoff. And oh yeah, that throw was absolutely incredible.

Nice Throw Lamar Jackson😂https://t.co/WBLF2F9ADP
— NorthMiamiWestSide (@BABYMAXXX) October 29, 2016

7. Ohio State Buckeyes

Following a loss to Penn State, the Buckeyes looked to recover against Northwestern...and almost lost back-to-back regular season games for the first time under Urban Meyer. This week holds a game against #9 Nebraska, so Meyer needs to get his team back on track soon to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, Ohio State controls its own playoff destiny as a win against rival Michigan would put an 11-1 Buckeyes team in the Big 10 title game.

8. Auburn Tigers

Some people may not view beating a 3-4 team as an accomplishment, but Ole Miss is not an ordinary 3-4 team. The Tigers went into a hostile SEC stadium and came away with a double digit victory. Nobody would have expected that to happen earlier in the season. All signs point to Auburn rolling into Tuscaloosa at 9-2 for the Iron Bowl with the chance to play spoiler, and potentially save Gus Malzahn's job.

9. Wisconsin Badgers

By defeating an unbeaten Nebraska team, the Badgers have put themselves in a good position to earn a spot in the Big 10 title game. If a 10-2 Wisconsin team beats an 11-1 Michigan or Ohio State in the title game, would they be deserving of a spot in the playoff? I think so considering they would be a conference champion compared to an 11-1 Texas A&M or Louisville that got left out of the conference champion. Also, I'm with Clay Travis. Conference title games should be between the top two teams in a conference, regardless of division.

10. Nebraska/Florida/Blue Mountain State/East Mississippi Community College

I believe that there is a noticeable drop off in talent following the top nine teams in this ranking. A number of team could take this spot. Florida is 6-1, but has no real quality wins and the loss to Tennessee looks even worse following their embarassing loss to South Carolina this weekend. Nebraska isn't likely to finish better than 9-3 and their position as a potential top ten team is more of a statement regarding the quality of the rest of the field. Baylor and West Virginia both lost this weekend and the quality of teams in the Big 12 this year is abysmal. So go ahead and take your pick for number ten.