Here's how Ken Schreiber sees this week's College Football Playoff rankings

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The CFP rankings are beginning to show separation. Now that No. 7 BYU lost handily 29-7 to No. 8 Texas Tech and came back to earth, expect them to at least reach No. 12. Either way, both Texas Tech and BYU need to win the Big 12 to qualify for the CFP.

The weak ACC is facing the same situation. After No. 14 Virginia lost to Wake Forest, again only the champion will qualify. Seven teams are still very much alive, including No. 19 Miami which may not have the chemistry but does have top level talent. The problem with Miami as a program is if they’re not highly ranked or playing a highly ranked team at home, their students and fans would rather go to the beach as seen this week at Hard Rock Stadium, which was two thirds empty for their game against Syracuse. Shameful.

What happened in Happy Valley this week was epic. Penn State finally showed its potential in a fourth-quarter performance reminiscent of JoPa days. The Nittany Lions fought hard, made big plays and went ahead 24-20 after scoring a touchdown with less than two minutes left. It seemed it was their night and they had contained Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was under heavy pressure throughout the game. With no timeouts, Mendoza was sacked for a 10-yard loss and what seemed like an insurmountable second-and-20 and needing to go 85 yards with no timeouts. Mendoza drove the Hoosiers the distance, capped by an amazing catch by Omar Cooper Jr., which won it with seconds left. Considering the score, time and the intimidating crowd, that was the catch of the year! It solidified Mendoza, who had a tough night until that last drive, as the Heisman favorite. It also instantly sent both Mendoza and into Cooper into Indiana history.

How No. 20 Iowa stayed with No. 9 Oregon, I have no idea. An offense that relies on quarterback runs all of a sudden connected on a deep pass and led the Ducks 16-15 in the closing minutes. Oregon showed its mettle driving for a last-second kick a field goal at the buzzer. A game Oregon historically loses when its kicking game decides the outcome that went against the odds.

Remember, the highest ranked Group of Five team receives a berth as well as the Power Four champions. That leaves seven at-large bids with Notre Dame receiving one as of now. Right now, based on what happened last week, the CFP rankings will look like this, when released Tuesday night:

No. 1 Ohio State (9-0), No. 2 Indiana (9-0), Texas A&M (9-0), Alabama (8-1), No. 5 Georgia (8-1), No. 6 Texas Tech (8-1), No. 7 Mississippi (8-1), No. 8 Oregon (8-1), No. 9 Notre Dame (7-2), No. 10 Texas (7-2) No. 11 Oklahoma (7-2) and No. 12 BYU (8-1). Remember the ACC Champ is in no matter where they are ranked as is the highest Power Six ranked team which means Oklahoma is out for now. Still lots of football left to play. Vandy, USC, and Michigan can all play their way in.

Parting thoughts

∎What a surprise that Brian Kelly wants the full $54 million he is owed after being fired by LSU. All you need to know about Kelly is that in 2009, he resigned as Cincinnati coach with a chance for a national championship for Notre Dame. He informed his players he was leaving the night of the postseason banquet and left under police escort. Talk about class? Accountability? Fuhgeddaboudit! Just left his players at the altar. I think Kelly has finally been exposed and will be hard-pressed to ever coach at the highest level again.

∎USC listed third-string quarterback Sam Huard as a punter with the same number (80), and he converted a fourth-and-6 by throwing the ball for a first down in their 38-17 win over Northwestern. However, it was an illegal play and should have been a penalty. None was called. When officials don’t know the rules, they should be suspended. Speaking of USC, there’s rumors that head coach Lincoln Riley may want out. When asked, he replied, “You guys know what I sacrificed to be here.” Really? That’s not what you said when you left Oklahoma after losing to OSU, ending the Sooners‘ chance at a national championship and flying out the next day to sign a contract for almost $100 million! They will never forget that one in Norman.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ken Schreiber College Football Playoff rankings for Nov. 11

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